Visiting Tikal, Guatemala – All You Need to Know Before You Go

There is a handful of things that every visitor to Guatemala should do or see. Visiting Tikal National Park is one of them – no questions asked.

Tikal is not only one of the most significant archaeological sites of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It is one of the most important archaeological sites, period. If you happen to be traveling in Guatemala, visiting Tikal is one of the most magical things you could do.

Nestled deep within the Guatemalan rainforest, Tikal is one of the most remarkable excavated Maya ruins in the world. With over 3,000 structures – some still hidden beneath the earth – traveling to Tikal is truly a great adventure, especially if you find Maya history as fascinating as I do.

I visited Tikal from Flores and without a guide. In this post, I will share with you all the crucial information about visiting Tikal whether you decide to go independently or with a guide. You will find out how to get to Tikal, what to see, and how to get prepared.

A Brief History of Tikal

Known as Yax Muta to the ancient Maya, Tikal was once a powerful city that dominated the Maya region politically, economically, and militarily. Some structures on the site date back to the fourth century.

We are still learning about the culture, lifestyle, and history of the mysterious Maya civilization. Until very recently, it was said that Maya were peaceful philosophers and astronomers. However, the most recent findings in the form of hieroglyphs, portrayed Mayas are fighters showing that sacrifice and torture were regular occurrences.

Yet Tikal was an incredibly progressive kingdom. The state had a stadium, schools and libraries, palaces and administrative buildings, hospitals, and much more.

The region was first inhabited around 1000 B.C. (3,000 years ago), and during the Preclassic Period (around 4,000 years ago), Tikal’s population began a continuous expansion. At its peak around 750 A.D., Tikal housed at least 66,000 Maya people, extending its influence across the Yucatan Peninsula and into Honduras.

The visible ruins we see today represent only a fraction of Tikal’s original grandeur.

We are also still not sure how this powerful civilization came to quite an abrupt end and why the rich and powerful city-states were completely abandoned.

Explanations range from drought and environmental crises to overpopulation. Despite being abandoned for centuries and swallowed by dense jungle, the legend of Tikal persisted. Local people guided Guatemalan expeditions to the ruins in the 1850s but given its remoteness, it was very challenging to get to the site and explore.

It wasn’t until 1984 that the first modern explorers and archaeologists started visiting the site and gradually started to clear, map and record the ruins.

Now, Tikal National Park is the largest excavated site in the American continent and one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.

How to get to Tikal

The ideal way to visit Tikal is to base yourself in Flores or El Remate, both convenient starting points for a day trip.

Flores is a charming island town worth exploring hence I highly recommend heading to Flores first. From there, you will be able to organize a day trip through your hostel or local tour agency. It takes around 2 hours to get to Tikal from Flores, and the best way is to go by shuttle or as part of an organized tour.

How to get to Tikal from Antigua or Guatemala City

Tikal is further away from Antigua than you might think. The majority of the roads leading there are winding mountainous roads, so it takes a while.

There are really only two feasible ways of getting to Tikal from Antigua or Guatemala City. The first one is to take a shuttle to Guatemala City and then an overnight bus to Flores/Santa Elena. Those are great, comfortable buses and the journey isn’t too bad at all. The bus will stop at the bus station just outside of Flores Island (Santa Elena). From there you can take a tuk-tuk to Flores.

Once you get to Flores, you will have two options.

• Book a hotel in Flores, enjoy the rest of the day, and take a trip to Tikal the next day – highly recommended!

• Book a hotel closer to Tikal (especially if you want to do the sunrise tour). In this case, you will have to continue traveling from Flores. If you decide to do it this way, I recommend contacting the hotel owner to arrange the best way to get there.

The other, easier yet more expensive way of getting from Antigua or Guatemala City to Tikal is by taking a direct flight from Guatemala to Flores. It is, however, an unpopular way mainly due to its cost. However, if money isn’t the issue, that is probably the most comfortable and fastest way of getting to Tikal.

You can also get to Tikal from Rio Dulce if you are exploring this part of Guatemala or traveling from Honduras. It is very straightforward to get to Tikal from Rio Dulce. Just Book a shuttle from there (around Q175), and around 5 hours later, it will drop you right in front of your hotel in Flores.

I highly recommend exploring Rio Dulce in the process and you can read about it in my Rio Dulce article here.  If you are coming from Livingston, the best way to get to Flores/Tikal is by first taking a boat to Rio Dulce and then booking a direct shuttle to Flores. 

There are also direct shuttles between Flores and Lanquin/Semuc Champey. Those cost around Q200 and the journey takes between 8 and 10 hours (depending on the roadworks in front of Lanqin are still in progress)

How many days for visiting Tikal National Park

Visiting Tikal is a day trip. You can opt for a guided two-day comprehensive tour, but a day trip is the most popular option.

You will only need one day to explore Tikal fully, and you can opt to stay in Flores for a couple more nights. I would, however, suggest reserving three days for the whole Tikal expedition. Why?

All the recommendations out there saying that you can get in and out in a day are not very practical. 

Tikal is located just under 2 hours of a car journey from Flores, with no other larger cities nearby. The best and stress-free way to visit Tikal is to book a couple of nights in Flores or El Remate and dedicate the whole day to exploring Tikal.

This way you can arrive in Flores in the evening, take a Tikal trip the next day, and once you return around 5 pm, enjoy an evening in Flores and then potentially leave the next day. That is if you don’t want to explore everything that Flores has to offer.

So to summarise, you only need one day to visit Tikal National Park but it is best to reserve 3 days for the actual trip especially if you want to visit Flores and relax after the journey.

Where to stay for visiting Tikal National Park

You have three main options for accommodations during your Tikal trip:

It is a spectacular hostel, a true secret garden with great value dorms and wonderful private rooms as well. This hostel is where most of the travelers stay, and my visit to Flores wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t stay in Los Amigos. They also organize Tikal shuttles and all onward journeys you might need. 

If you prefer a hotel, Casa Ramona offers stunning rooms in excellent locations and Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel would be a great choice for a more luxurious stay.

Tour or no tour for visiting Tikal

The most popular and easy way to visit Tikal is to book a guided tour. You can book it easily at your hotel or from a tourist office in Flores. If you book your tour in Flores, it will cost you around Q150 and will include transportation and a tour guide. 

If you are wondering if you can visit Tikal without an organized tour – the answer is yes! 

In fact, I did it without the guide, but the price wasn’t much lower. So if saving money would be the only reason for you to go without the tour – you wouldn’t be saving that much. 

I decided to go without the tour because I don’t like joining organized groups as I really like exploring at my own pace, especially because I take a long time taking photos. Still, if you don’t book a guide and just book a shuttle, you will be in the same car as others who will be part of the tour. That’s exactly what happened to me and I received an introduction to Tikal history from a tour guide – free of charge!

The difference was that once we had arrived at Tikal, I was free to roam on my own. If you decide to go independently, I recommend purchasing a map at the gate (Q20) or taking a photo of the map after the entrance and doing some research beforehand, so you actually know what you are looking at.

I paid Q100 for the shuttle (but probably could get it a bit cheaper), so my decision wasn’t based on the value for money. I just wanted to be free to go and explore what I wanted. But if you enjoy learning about this magnificent site, listening to exciting stories, and don’t mind tagging along with other travelers – by all means, go with the guided tour. 

There are also public busses running from Santa Elena to Tikal which are much cheaper.

Be aware that on top of your transport, you will have to pay the Tikal entrance fee which is Q150. Also, pack snacks and water as getting them in the park will be much pricier!

When it comes to organized tours, you have few options:

For the sunrise entry, the tickets need to be purchased the day before so check with your hotel or tour operator where can this be done. I recommend sunset as I have heard that Tikal is covered in mist during the early hours, and there is not much of sunrise to be seen.

If you wish to visit Tikal from Antigua or any other town or from Belize or Honduras, the organized tour is the most feasible option as it will require an overnight stay.

You can also book a Tikal tour with transportation here if you prefer to plan ahead. There are also many companies offering sunrise-guided tours with meals included. If that’s what you like to do – check out those organized tours here. 

Can’t miss sites in Tikal National Park

• Central Plaza: located heart of Tikal. This is where you’ll the famous temples I and II. It is worth heading there first as this is a great starting point.
• Temple I (Temple of the Great Jaguar): This is an iconic temple, standing at 47 meters tall, and a symbol of Tikal.
• Temple II (Temple of the Masks): Located next to Temple I, this temple is slightly smaller (38m high) but equally impressive. You can visit the viewing platform on top of it for the best views and photo opportunities of Gran Plaza and Temple I

• North Acropolis: A complex of temples and tombs, the North Acropolis is one of the oldest parts of Tikal
• Temple III: Known as the Temple of the Inscriptions, this structure is less visited but noteworthy for its impressive carvings and the nearby views over the jungle.
• Temple IV (Temple of the Two-Headed Serpent): This is the tallest structure in Tikal standing at 70 meters. It is also one of the tallest temples ever built by the Mayans!
• The Ball Court: This is where the ancient Maya played their ceremonial ball game. The court is a fascinating insight into Maya culture and recreation.
• Lost World Complex (Mundo Perdido): also known as the Great Pyramid Plaza and consists of several structures and twin pyramids. The Lost World Pyramid is the oldest in Tikal.

Important tips for visiting Tikal

Tikal is very safe to visit, and you can roam the park on your own. The only thing that could happen to you is getting a bit lost, but with many tourists and guides around, you will always be able to ask where to go. That is if you decide to go independently. Tikal Park is well signposted and all paths are clear and easy to see.

Tikal National Park is large, and it can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes to walk between the points of interest. In total, it takes around 4 hours to see the whole of Tikal, and this would include stops for a picnic or a beverage.

There are no restaurants on site of Tikal National Park, but there are a few places to get drinks and snacks (and use the bathroom). It is advised that you eat and drink at those designated places as you can safely dispose of the rubbish there. I have seen small groups and families having small picnics here and there, so it is not prohibited, but please be mindful and collect your garbage.

I recommend packing your own snacks and water as anything purchased just before or inside the park will be very much overpriced.

The fee to enter Tikal National Park is Q150 for foreign visitors, and most of the time, it is not included in the tour cost. Also, there are no ATMs near Tikal, so bring cash with you.

Remember to take your passport – It will be needed to purchase the entrance ticket!

Pack mosquito repellant. I was so glad I brought mine! Tikal is located in the middle of the tropical jungle.

It is hot and humid in Tikal. And you will walk a lot. Wear breathable and comfortable clothing and pack plenty of water.

Flying drones is not allowed in Tikal.

Take your time! If you take a regular 8 am departure, you will have between 4 and 5 hours to explore. Take photos, chill and enjoy visiting Tikal

Why is Tikal worth visiting?

Maya history is captivating and still filled with mysteries which makes visiting Tikal even more fascinating. 

If you are fascinated by Mayan history and love visiting ancient ruins – Tikal is a must-visit! Tikal is larger than Honduras’s Copan and Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico, and is one of the most excavated sites of this type. And if you are a Star Wars fan, you’d like to know that George Lucas used Tikal as a filming location for the moon Yavin 4 in the first Star Wars film, Episode IV: A New Hope.

The fauna and flora in Tikal are spectacular. Make sure you look out for exotic birds and fascinating animals as well as flowers and magnificent trees.

There is something magical and unforgettable about strolling beside the ancient buildings, pyramids and temples built by the powerful civilization surrounded by an air of mystery.