Essential Tips: What to Know Before Visiting Tikal, Guatemala’s Majestic Mayan Ruins
We're here to share with you what to know before visiting Tikal, Guatemala, a mesmerizing UNESCO World Heritage site which invites adventurers to explore its ancient Mayan ruins nestled deep within the lush jungles of Central America.
As one of the largest archaeological sites of the Mayan civilization, Tikal boasts towering temples, vibrant wildlife, and rich history waiting to be discovered. Whether you're an archaeology enthusiast or simply seeking breathtaking natural beauty, Tikal is an iconic destination for your bucket list.
In our complete Tikal travel guide we're going to share our experience, and what to know before visiting Tikal, Guatemala.
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What to Know Before Visiting Tikal, Guatemala: A Brief Intro
Before diving into all of the details for what to know before visiting Tikal, Guatemala, let's go over some of the history, as well as the basic details for you to visit.
✨ Why is Tikal so Special?
Tikal is special for its rich historical and cultural significance as one of the largest and most influential cities of the ancient Mayan civilization, flourishing from 600 BC to 900 AD.
The site features impressive architectural marvels, including impressive temples which showcase the advanced engineering and spirituality of the Mayans. Nestled within a lush rainforest, Tikal is home to diverse wildlife, allowing visitors to experience both its historical and natural wonders.
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, Tikal offers a unique opportunity to explore the remnants of an important civilization while connecting with the breathtaking beauty of its surroundings.
📍 Where is Tikal in Guatemala?
Tikal is nestled in the jungle of northern Guatemala, in the department of El Peten.
🌃 What city is Tikal closest to?
The closest big city to Tikal is Flores, which is just an hour south west of the ruins.
⭐️ What is the Most Famous Temple in Tikal?
The most famous temple in Tikal is Temple I (also known as Jaguar Temple), as it is the one that is located right in the middle of the complex.
Temple IV is where everyone watches the sunrise, but we honestly loved Temples I and V the best. Temple I is the most impressive, and Temple V is the second highest structure, as well as our favorite to photograph.
Temple V is our favorite pyramid inside Tikal.
🛕 How Many Temples are at Tikal?
There are six main temples remaining on the grounds of Tikal, across three principal complexes. However, there were once over 100 temples, and you can see the remnants of many of them scattered across the entire area of Tikal.
You can see the main pyramids of Tikal from the top of Temple IV.
What to Know Before Visiting Tikal, Guatemala: How to Get There
Before getting into the fun of exploring the impressive ruins of Tikal, one of the most important thing to know before visiting Tikal, Guatemala are the different options for getting there. Here we'll go over all of the different ways to get to Tikal.
🚗 What is the Easiest Way to Get to Tikal?
The easiest way to get to Tikal is visiting from Flores. You can either take a local bus from Flores, take a shuttle organized by your hotel, or sign up from a tour from Flores.
Another great idea is renting a car and driving to Tikal on your own, which is what we did. (We had a rental car from Mexico).
✈️ How Far is Tikal from Guatemala City by Flight?
Flights from Guatemala City to Flores are just 50 minutes, and go daily several times a day from 5:45 am to 7 pm. They are operated by Avianca and TAG, with flights ranging from $70-120 USD each way.
How Do I Get from Guatemala City to Tikal?
There are several ways to get from Guatemala City to Tikal. Whether you want to take public transportation, fly, or rent a car, there are a variety of choice to get to Tikal. Here are the different options:
- Fly from Guatemala City to Flores, and then take a shuttle to Tikal.
- Fly from Guatemala City to Flores, and then take a tour to Tikal.
- Rent a car from Guatemala City and drive to Tikal
- Take a day trip to Tikal via flight with all transportation and a guide included.
The easiest option is to take the tour that includes everything. However, if you'd like to go on your own, we'd recommend purchasing the flights and then taking a sunrise tour from Flores.
How Do I Get from Lake Atitlan to Tikal?
Tikal is the not the easiest to get to from Lake Atitlan, as it is even further away than Guatemala City. Here are the options:
- Option 1: Head back to Guatemala City, and then travel from there
- Option 2: Take a bus from Panajachel to Flores, and then travel from there. (We found some via ATITRANS, which is a 15 hour overnight bus (stopping in Guatemala City)
🚖 Does Uber Work in Flores, Guatemala?
Uber does work in Flores! Although we wouldn't necessarily recommend using it to get to Tikal, as it will be much more costly than taking a bus or doing a tour.
🚕 How Much is a Taxi from Flores to Tikal?
Taxi prices can vary greatly, and you'll probably need to ask multiple places to find a price that would make sense. Taxis can range anywhere from $40-70, and should be arranged in advance.
What to Know Before Visiting Tikal, Guatemala: The Experience
Now you know all of the basics of what to know before visiting Tikal! So it's time for the fun part - we're going to share what the sunrise tour at Tikal looks like, as well as answers for some frequently asked questions.
🌄 The Sunrise Tour at Tikal
We're not going to bore you with the details of the park itself. Rather, we're going to let you explore the park on your own, and give you a breakdown of what the sunrise tour at Tikal looks like.
⏰ Starting the Sunrise Tour at Tikal
Get ready for an early wake up call! 3:30 AM the group starts to gather in the lobby for some coffee and cookies, checking in, and having a little boost of energy before starting the incredible Tikal sunrise tour.
At 4 AM you'll have a short walk over to the entrance, which is a little under 10 minutes.
Once you make it to the entrance, everyone will check in, have their bags checked, and have the chance to purchase a sandwich or snack before going in.
You'll have to eat whatever you purchase before entering the park, as no food is allowed into the park.
🥾 The Sunrise Tour at Tikal
After getting your wristband, it's time to start the tour! We unfortunately had awful weather, and it was pouring for the first half hour, so you can imagine that walking in the rain and the dark wasn't a great start to the tour, but it ended up being amazing!
It took us about 20 minutes to get to the main square, with some of the biggest pyramids of Tikal. Our guide talked a bit about why the pyramids are unique, and then we all walked over to Pyramid IV to catch the sunrise.
There is a bathroom and a set of tables and benches right outside, and then a staircase that leads to the top, where you'll all wait to watch a magical sunrise.
Unfortunately Mother Nature was not in our favor, and although the rain stopped, we didn't get to actually see the sunrise. The view was still beautiful though!
🏁 Finishing the Sunrise Tour at Tikal
After we caught the sunrise the guide was going to walk everyone back to the hotel. We asked if we could just stay at the park, and he had no problem. This was a great opportunity for us to walk around and get pictures with the soft lighting, and before the other tour groups would be coming.
Alternatively, you could go back to the hotel, have breakfast, and then head back to the park after to enjoy the other pyramids around the complex. However, we had to drive to Bacalar that day, and we were on a pretty big time crunch. So we spent an hour going to the main temples, before heading back and hitting the road.
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❓ What to Know Before Visiting Tikal, Guatemala: FAQ
Nows you know what the experience at the Tikal Ruins look like! But in case you have some questions, here is an extension of what to know before visiting Tikal Guatemala, which are some answers to commonly asked questions.
👨👩👧👦 Can you Visit Tikal Without a Tour?
You can absolutely visit Tikal on your own! However, if you'd like to visit during sunrise, you'll only be able to do so on a tour.
🚶🏻How Much Walking is Tikal?
While the grounds of Tikal ruins are technically 575 square kilometers, you certainly won't be exploring all of that!
Truthfully, the walking area of Tikal isn't THAT big, and really isn't such a crazy amount of walking. You can expect a bit of walking, but the top highlights are all just 5-10 minutes walking from one another.
🧗🏻 Can You Climb the Pyramids at Tikal?
While back in the day all of the Pyramids at Tikal were able to be climbed, that's changed a bit.
The main pyramids are off limits for climbing, but Temple IV is able to climbed. Don't worry - you'll know which one when you're there, as it's the only one that has a staircase on the side of it. (This is the same pyramid that everyone goes to for the sunrise tour).
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🗺 Map of Tikal
Below you can see how long is takes to walk from one area to another, as well as the facilities included. For more details though, keep reading the next part of our Tikal travel guide.
What to Know Before Visiting Tikal, Guatemala: Amenities
Now you know what to expect for experience the stunning runs of Tikal! But you may have some other questions about what to know before visiting Tikal, Guatemala like the bathroom situation, where to eat, and where to stay. So here we'll dive into all of the amenities there.
🚽 Are There Bathrooms in Tikal?
There are bathrooms in Tikal! There aren't many of them, but they are well kept. We'd recommend using the bathroom when you do come across one, so that you don't find yourself roaming the ruins having to hold it in. (Keep in mind you should be drinking lots of water!)
🍿 Can You Bring Food Into Tikal?
When we were looking up what to know before visiting Tikal, Guatemala, we read a bunch of people recommending to bring food. We're not sure if these people haven't actually been, or if things have changed, but this was not the case when we visited June of this year.
While you can bring drinks inside, Tikal does not allow food to enter the park.
You'll find people selling sandwiches and snacks at the restaurant, but you'll have to eat them before you go inside the park.
It's also important to note that you aren't allowed to bring any plastic bottles inside Tikal, so make sure to bring a reusable water bottle with you!
🤔 Is It Better to Stay in Tikal or Flores?
Flores certainly has more options when it comes to accommodation, and is a bit more of a budget-friendly option. It's a cute city with a lot of great dining options, and is ideal for backpackers.
That being said, staying in Tikal was really special, and we absolutely loved staying there. The good thing is that the same Jungle Lodge hotel offers both higher end and more budget-friendly options!
Another advantage is that you could go do the sunrise tour, go back to the hotel for breakfast, and re-enter the park at your leisure.
🛌 Where to Sleep in Tikal?
For visiting Tikal, you can either stay right on the grounds of Tikal at one of the 3 properties:
- Hotel Jungle Lodge Tikal: the main hotel in Tikal which has big spacious rooms, a pool, restaurant, and pool tables
- Jungle Lodge Tikal Hostal: the more budget-friendly part of Hotel Jungle Lodge
- Hotel Tikal Inn: standard rooms in thatched cottages with a pool which are similar in price to the Jungle Lodge Hostal (keep in mind they only have fans! So it's really only a good option in the cooler months)
Hote Jungle Lodge Tikal is the best place to stay in Tikal.
If you want the most comfort and ideal experience, we'd recommend the Hotel Jungle Lodge. If you are on a tighter budget, we'd recommend the Jungle Lodge Tikal Hostal, as the rooms are just a bit more basic, but you can still enjoy the amenities of the Jungle Lodge Hotel.
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What to Know Before Visiting Tikal, Guatemala: Price & Timetable
Now you know a bit about what the experience at Tikal looks like, as well as some of the amenities in and around the property. So now we're going to share what to know before visiting Tikal, Guatemala in terms of times you can visit, as well as the costs involved.
🕘 What are the Hours of Tikal National Park?
Tikal National Park is open daily for visitors from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The sunrise is normally a little before 6 AM, and those that want to experience Tikal at sunrise need to pay an extra fee to the park, as well as for the tour itself.
Once you have the ticket for Tikal, you are allowed to leave the park and re-enter.
🎫 How Much is the Entrance Fee for Tikal?
- The general entrance for adults at Tikal Park is 150 GTQ (around $20 USD).
- There is an extra charge of 100 GTQ for those visiting at sunrise.
- Children under 12 are free of charge for Tikal.
- Uaxactun costs an additional 50 GTQ to visit.
- Tickets purchased after 3:00 PM are also valid for the following day.
- Guatemalan citizens can enter Tikal for free on Sundays.
💵 How Much Does it Cost to Visit Tikal?
- The general entrance for adults at Tikal Park is 150 GTQ (around $20 USD).
- There is an extra charge of 100 GTQ for those visiting at sunrise.
- Sunrise tours from Jungle Lodge Tikal cost $15 USD.
- Stays in Tikal cost $50-$100 for basic accommodation.
- Tours from Flores are on average from $25-$100 USD.
Visiting Tikal at sunrise is an additional fee, and also requires that you have a tour.
🎟 Do You Need to Book Tikal in Advance?
Tikal can be visited without a reservation, so it's not truly necessary to book it in advance. However, if you'd like to visit Tikal at sunrise, there are limited tours and spots to be able to do this, so we'd definitely recommend booking that ahead of time.
It's also wise to book your accommodation in advance for Tikal, especially if you want to stay in Tikal rather than Flores, since there are only 3 hotels, and two of them were completely sold out a week out when we went.
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What to Know Before Visiting Tikal, Guatemala: Safety
One thing you should always keep in mind when traveling is the safety aspect.
👮🏻♀️ Is Going to Tikal Safe?
One thing you should know before visiting Tikal, Guatemala is that it is definitely a safe place to visit. Guatemala can have a bad reputation when it comes to safety, but we can assure you that the park of Tikal is a different story.
As a major tourist highlight, there is nothing to worry about, whether you are a solo female traveler, or a family with small children. All people are welcome at Tikal.
🐈⬛ Can You See Jaguars in Tikal?
The only thing to really worry about in terms of safety at Tikal is the wildlife. That being said, it's realy actually nothing to worry about! Tikal does have jaguars, but they are so rarely seen, and there aren't any instance of jaguars approaching any humans.
🐒 Are There Monkeys in Tikal?
Before doing the sunrise tour, I heard grueling roars that sounded like a dinosaurs! I was truly freaked out, and later learned that they are howler monkeys, a specific type of monkey found throughout Central and South America.
Unlike other types of monkeys (for example baboons), howler monkeys tend to keep to themselves and stay high in the trees. So you likely won't have to worry about them coming up to you!
Just to be safe though, we'd recommend keeping your belongings close, and not to have a ton of food open in the outdoors.
Lookm for wildlife in the trees!
🦡 What Other Animals are in Tikal, Guatemala?
Other than howler monkeys and jaguars, there are a variety of other animals that can be found around Tikal! Some animals that are commonly seen include coatis, anteaters, and a variety of birds (about 300 different types!).
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What to Know Before Visiting Tikal, Guatemala: Other Things to Keep in Mind
Now you are (almost) completely informed about what to know before visiting Tikal Guatemala. But don't go just yet! Here are a few other things you'll want to keep in mind.
☀️ Weather in Tikal
The weather in Guatemala surprised us so much, as it really varies throughout the country! Tikal had the most extreme temperatures, and has extremely humid, rainy, and blistering hot summers.
The weather is pretty tropical from May to October, and the winter months (December to February) are the driest, but also can get a tiny bit chilly at night (low 60's).
We'd recommend having a hotel with a pool.
📆 The Best Time to Visit Tikal in Guatemala
The best time to visit Tikal in Guatemala is in the spring or fall months, when it is sunny, dry, and has mild temperatures. The winter time can have slightly chilly nights, and you'll want to be able to walk around Tikal comfortably if you do the sunrise tour, so visiting in the right month is key.
We'd recommend February or March before it gets too hot or you can visit in November after the rainy season has finished, but also before the nights get cool.
As far as the best time of the day, sunrise is certainly the best time, and then you can enjoy a crowd-free experience after your tour. We'd also recommend going for golden hour into sunset for those that want night photos, but aren't all for the early wakeup call.
Going to Tikal for sunrise allows you to watch the sun coming up behind the temples.
🧳 How to Prepare for Visiting Tikal in Guatemala
Being prepared is key to having an enjoyable experience at Tikal! Here are a few things to keep in mind for what to wear and pack.
👗 What to Wear to a Tikal
As it is HOT in Tikal, you'll certainly want to dress super light for this. We'd recommend a shorts or a light sundress. For photography purposes, we'd suggest a bold, solid color to stand out, or neutral colors to match the background.
I chose red to pop for our photos.
🩴 Can You Wear Sandals to Tikal?
Most people wouldn't recommend sandals, and the ground is uneven in areas, and can also be a bit muddy.
I honestly thought having sandals was a bit more ideal though, as I could easily wash them off from the mud after using them. Just remember to watch your step though!
Tikal has a mix of areas of cobblestone, wooden stairs, and uneven terrain, as you can see in the photos below.
🎒 Packing List for Tikal in Guatemala
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Bug Spray
- Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
- Flip Flops or Comfortable Sandals (we personally always get Havaiana flip flops, as they are comfy and long lasting)
- Sneakers if you find them more comfortable for waking than sandals/flip flops
- Bathing Suit (if you stay at the hotel in Tikal)
- Zippered Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
- Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
- Standard Lens for a dynamic range (we use the Sony GM 24-70)
- Wide Lens to capture more in the frame (we use the Sony GM 14 F1.8)
- Tripod to get pictures while no one is around or for multiple shots from far away (We use the JOBY Rangepod Tripod)
- Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because it's small & waterproof)
- Flash Light if you do the sunrise tour
- Poncho or Umbrella if you visit in the rainy season
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🗓 How Many Days Do You Need in Tikal Ruins?
The ruins of Tikal are quite big, but you can definitely see them in one day. We'd recommend spending 1 night (the night before Tikal) or 2 nights if you want to relax at the hotel after you finish exploring the ruins.
⏳ How Much Time Do You Need in Tikal?
We did the sunrise tour at Tikal in Guatemala, and were really happy with our decision to leave the group and continue exploring the grounds.
The tour honestly only stops at a few spots, and we feel it really deserves a couple of extra hours, especially if you are a history or photography lover.
We'd recommend a few hours to explore all of the different main temples in Tikal.
🚐 Day Trip from Flores vs Tour from Tikal
If you just want the sunrise experience or to see a bit of Tikal, then you can definitely do it as a day trip from Flores. If you want to truly experience everything though, we'd recommend saving a half of a day to explore Tikal, and to do it from the hotels right outside the ruins.
This will give you ample time to really explore all that Tikal in Guatemala has to offer, and keep you from really rushed while there.
Another option can be to do the sunrise tour from one of the hotels in Tikal, have breakfast at the hotel, and then go back to explore on your own later in the day.
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Tips for Visiting Tikal in Guatemala
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