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Ruins of major ancient Maya city
Photo: chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tikal is a large archaeological site in the Guatemalan department of Petén. During the Classic Period it was one of the largest and most important of the Mayan cities. Today it's one of the most fascinating and enjoyable of the Mayan sites to visit, largely due to its remoteness, but also its jungle setting. Tourists still descend on it by the busload, but it's far from feeling overrun like Chichen Itza and other sites. Some of the temples are still being uncovered, and you can watch archaeologists busy at work. Many others remain completely covered in dirt and plants, much as the first outside explorers found them in the 1800s. Tikal was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.
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Flanked on the east and west sides by two great temple-pyramids, the most famous and widely-photographed pyramids of Tikal. You can't climb the stone steps of the pyramids, but Temple II has a wooden stairway running up the back that you can use to reach a high-up viewdeck with a great view of the plaza.
One of the most studied architectural groups in the Maya area.
An interesting large building complex built on a hill.
Lost World Complex
It is the largest ceremonial complex dating from the Preclassic period at Tikal. It features a medium-sized pyramid with a wooden staircase ll the way to the top. This is the biggest structure you can go to the very top of, and the second best view in the park.
The tallest temple in the park, measuring 70 m and also on higher ground than most of the others. Wooden stairs lead up to a viewpoint near the top, which features the most expansive view of Tikal, looking out over jungle as far as the eye can see. A brief shot in the original 1977 Star Wars movie was filmed here, showing spaceships entering the atmosphere of jungle moon Yavin IV on their way to the rebel base.
Get your bearings at the visitor center which features a relief map of the ancient site, as well as a restaurant, restrooms, gift shops and a post-office
Cost for non-locals is Q30 as of June 2024, and must be paid online or at the ticket booth 12 km before the entrance.
Tikal Museum
A thrill ride along cables slung between tall trees in the jungle just outside the gate to Tikal National Park (not within walking distance from the main park area). You sit in a harness, slide from tree to tree, then climb up the tree to the next platform for the next cable. The highest trees poke above most of the canopy so you can see a long way. The longest cable ride is some 150 m.
There is a bus to Uaxactun, a more distant ancient Maya city and historic modern village, that passes the entrance to the ruins once a day. Be aware that you'll probably need to stay in Uaxactun for two nights, and that everything there is cash-only (no ATM). See that article for more information.
As of June 2024, the only hiking trail outside the ticketed area, the Sendero Caoba Felipe, is closed to the public. The giant old-growth mahogany tree at the far end of the route has lost its top, taking the viewdeck with it. You may be fined if caught trying to walk it. Staff also see the closure of this relatively remote, 6-km trail as a safety issue, after one lone tourist died of heatstroke hiking in Tikal in 2022, and another disappeared in 2023. However, there's plenty of hiking to do within the main area of the ruins, including some short but barely-traveled small jungle trails for those who seek them out.
Clean, simple rooms.
Nice hotel with semi-luxurious rooms and a pool, located slightly deeper in the jungle than the others.
Simple rooms and bungalows with private bathrooms, and a nice swimming pool.
The official park campground, located just off the parking lot. Camping fee of Q50 must be paid in advance, either online or at the ticket booth 12km away (hint: if you're already there, get a drink at the Jaguar Inn restaurant across the street and use their wifi). Though the ticket website appears to say you need a Q150 park ticket for the same day in addition to your camping permit, this is not true: if you're arriving in the afternoon to camp but not entering the ruins, you only need a park ticket for the next day. The campground manager rents hammocks (Q60 + Q15 for much-needed mosquito net) and tents (Q150, including setup service and a thick mat); this must be paid on-site in cash. There are about ten well-built camp shelters with raised concrete pads, which offer very good protection from the rain and midday sun and come at no extra cost. The campground a pretty nice new bathroom and shower block (cold showers) with solar lighting, but make sure that they leave it open for you, as the staff sometimes locks it up when no one is staying there. No electrical plugs or internet at the campground, but the Jaguar Inn restaurant across the road has wifi and phone charging stations that are free if you eat or drink there.
It has also offered camping space and equipment rental, for just a bit more money than the official campground, and appears to still have a small camp shelter area with tents already set up. Inquire directly for updated information (contact info easily found online). Presumably can be booked onsite, and probably accepts payment by card. There are a lot of insects that bite: mosquitoes aren't that bad during the dryer months but there are other nasty bugs around. Keep the fly wire screen on your tent zipped tight and get in and out of your tent as quickly as possible. A can of bug spray would be very helpful. There are a lot of bees on the lawn in the camp area so wear something on your feet.
By bus/shuttle
At one point, the San Juan Travel Agency had a virtual monopoly on the minibuses that would pick you up from your hotel in Flores in the morning on the hour and cost Q120 roundtrip or Q60 one way…
The restaurants, souvenir shops, visitor center, museum, and hotels can be reached by car but are all within about 5 minutes' walk of each other and the entrance to the ruins.
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