SEARCH IN THE JUNGLE OF GUATEMALA TO THE MAYA-RUINS OF TIKAL
If you are traveling to Guatemala, a visit to Tikal can not be missed in your travel plans. But really. We do not just say this. For some travelers, Tikal is even the only reason to go to Guatemala! This giant Mayan city was once one of the largest Mayan cities in the world and today there are many impressive ruins to be admired amidst a giant and rugged jungle landscape. Unlike well-known Chitzen Itza in Mexico, Tikal's Mayan ruins are hidden in a rainforest. Monkeys are thriving here with much violence and roaring through the trees, and as you climb one of the dozens of Mayan temples, you have spectacular views over the green jungle. Yep, a visit to Tikal will not really forget you soon. Read all about Tikal below and discover how to get the most out of your visit:
Tikal
Take the time to get lost in Tikal's jungle and stay in the middle of all that green for a moment of 5 minutes
Your day in Tikal begins when you have bought a ticket at the entrance. Through a path through the rainforest, you will always get closer to the famous Mayan ruins. How attractive it is to go straight to Temple I, you have to force yourself to occasionally walk in a winding path. Away from the big path. Because the deeper you go green, the greater your chance of seeing wild animals like monkeys or a toucan. And once you're alone, away from the other visitors, you just have to stand still and keep silent. 5 minutes of silence in the jungle do you really realize how nauseous we actually are, just a little dot on that gigantic living planet on which we live. Ready to go on again? Enjoy your lucky moment? Then it's only time to admire the most beautiful pieces of Tikal and fantasize about the Mayas that have built this area for years.
Which temples should you really see in Tikal?
If you look at Wikipedia or in a travel guide, you will soon see that Tikal consists of a whole list of buildings: Well-known Temple I and IV, as well as Temple II, III and V, you want to see and there are a handful of other ruins to Finding names such as South Acropolis or Oostplein. Some buildings are expired and not very large, while others have just been completely restored and you are making fantasies about the past. Because not all temples are very well signposted (which is also the charm of Tikal, because because of this, you may feel uncomfortable by discovering the jungle sometimes), it is sometimes possible to search for the right temple are. Buy a card at the entrance, take a photo of the larger map at the beginning of the park or just ask the road to other visitors (which are not very many) is recommended.
Where is Tikal in Guatemala?
You will find Tikal in the north of Guatemala. From Guatemala City it's a very late drive and we have taken a domestic flight from there to visit this Mayan city. About this domestic flight only 1 hour. From Belize you can also go to Tikal, it is only 2 hours drive from the border between Guatemala and Belize. If you have plenty of time, you can visit Tikal the best by spending time in the park or at the nearby Flores or El Remate.
How much does it cost to go to Tikal?
It's a bit of what you all need, but below you will find some costs you may need to visit Tikal:
Ordinary entrance for Tikal: 150 Quetzal per person (about 20 euros), you can then from 6 to 6 in the park
Extra entrance to see the sunrise or sunset: If you want to see outside the official opening hours of the park (to see the sunrise or sunset), you will pay an extra entry fee of 100 Quetzal (about 14 euros), this can be done buy from the Banrural Bank.
Bus from Flores to Tikal and back: A return ticket for the bus costs about 10, - euro. Always book this together, because buying two pairs will cost you more.
Tour to Tikal: You can already book a tour to Tikal through travel agencies like Riksja Travel. It is also possible to visit Tikal in Flores. At Riksja Travel you will find a so-called Tikal building block from 84, - euro per person, which arranges 2 nights in a hotel for you and transfers from Flores to Tikal and back. The entrance to Tikal is still paid on site. For about 100, - euro you have hotel accommodation, return transport to Tikal and entrance per person.
Overnight near Tikal?
You can stay in Tikal yourself, but Flores is the most popular choice. You can also opt for an overnight stay in El Remate, between Flores and Tikal. Of course, the closer you get to Tikal overnight you need to visit for a while during the sunrise. We flew to Tikal from Guatemala City for a visit and made a kind of 24-hour trip. From Guatemala City it is an hour to fly to Tikal. Flying with TAG Airlines or AVIANCA. View hotels in or near Tikal
El Remate
This should take you if you go to Tikal one day
It can be quite hot at Tikal, even when it's cloudy, make sure you get well and take sunscreen. Even though Tikal is in the jungle, there are also open pieces with only little shadow, and when you climb temples you can sometimes also be in the sunshine. In addition, diet or other mosquito bites are not unnecessary luxury. Also take enough food and drink. We have been able to buy ice-tea and water with a small bar, but we have not really encountered other shops or outlets. An overdose of souvenir stalls are not happy either (as was the case with Chitzen Itza in Mexico a number of years ago). After our visit to Tikal we also ate something in a restaurant somewhere in the park, but this was quite hidden and seemed to be available only with guide. So, do not come across places where you can buy something and prepare for Tikal by taking enough food and drinks. Also, do not forget to take a picture of the map below (which is close to the entrance) or buy a map when you go without a guide, so you're sure to find yourself the most beautiful places in Tikal:
Take along
The best moment to visit Tikal? During sunrise or sunset!
Tikal is actually the most beautiful to see during and just after sunrise or just before sunset. The golden hour makes Tikal just an extra piece of magic. The signature of this is, of course, that you are lucky with the weather (with us it was a little too cloudy), but if it's a sunny day, you're really surprised by spectacular views. Are you going for the sunset at Tikal? Then it's nice to watch the sunset from Temple IV (number four). If you prefer to see the Mayan city at dawn, you can spend the night in Flores and go to Tikal with a tour or private pre-arranged tickets. Flores is about an hour's drive from Tikal, so you're pretty quick. The other advantage of seeing Tikal at sunrise or sunset is that it is also quieter during those times. In the middle of the day, Tikal can get a bit more crowded, so we encountered a larger group a few times.
Check out Tikal in our Guatemala video
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