How long in tikal

Our experience in Tikal was the perfect example. Once a fully-functioning megapolis of over , people, Tikal is amongst the most impressive work from the Maya era. And it alone is a good enough reason to visit Guatemala. This was something that we learned, unfortunately, after passing through the main gates.

How did this happen? Well, we wanted to be at the park at the crack of dawn. So we smartly or so we thought planned to stay overnight at the Jungle Lodge in Tikal. Our flight arrived in the evening, so we made the drive up around 9PM. The drive was nice, and about half of it is in the jungle reserve past the Tikal security gate.

The gate officer was very friendly and just needed to check our reservations at the hotel. Nothing else was mentioned. The next morning, we got up nice and early and headed for the park. At the entrance, the guard sent us to another booth. We thought wrong. The bracelet stand worker sent as back 18km to the entrance. This is the option we chose, and we were happy with it.

We got there before the majority of the crowds and had a lot of time where it was just us alone amongst the temples. Jaguar Inn is situated right at the entrance to the ruins and will grant you easy access to Tikal. You can come and go from the park as you please as long as you have the day ticket. So you could go early and once it gets too hot and crowded you can head back to the Jaguar Inn, shower and be ready to go back in just before sunset. You can also tent camp near the grounds of Tikal.

We were told you can just turn up no reservations required. If you choose this option, be aware that there are no lockers, but you can lock your tent with your valuables inside.

And on other mornings, lucky visitors are rewarded for waking up early with spectacularly colorful, misty views. Important Note: For sunrise 3 a. Your hotel should be able to point you in the right direction to the Banrural Bank in Flores. Just like the time of day you choose to visit, this decision is completely personal. When booking our shuttle the night before, we were told we had to decide if we wanted a guide or not.

Right that moment. We panicked and chose to go without a guide. We thought maybe we could hire a guide at the entrance, but it turns out this is not possible. The audio guide was convenient and informative, albeit boring at times when we just skipped ahead. It is a decent option for those who are interested in the history but preferring to go at their own pace. We liked having the chance to explore hidden areas all by ourselves without a group of others tagging along.

The guide that other people in our shuttle were assigned to seemed pretty good. His English was great and they seemed to like him.

Final Thoughts: If you like to take photos and go at your own pace, going independently might be the option for you. However, if you want to know all the little stories and details about its history, going with a tour guide is a great option. Unless you are desperate, avoid this place completely!

The girl in front of us ordered a vegetarian sandwich, and was presented with a slice of Kraft single cheese sandwiched between two pieces of white bread. We ordered a coffee and paid 10Q for a tiny cup of crappy, watered down brown water.

At the entrance, they have maps for sale for 20Q, but the staff member told us we could take a photo instead of purchasing it. The Maya villages in the highlands, where locals still wear traditional dress, are the most visible indicators of this centuries-old culture. But look closely when you're visiting an archaeological site and you'll see altars with modern offerings to ancient spirits.

The Spanish left behind plenty of footprints from their colonization of Guatemala, the most visible being the architecture. The most well-known are dotted around Antigua, the old capital, with its neat plazas and crumbling ruins.

The swimming hole that launched a thousand postcards, Semuc Champey, has to be seen to be believed, and you can dip your toes in both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Active souls tend to find their agenda very full once they get to Guatemala. There are a restaurant and a bar. The rooms are beautiful and luxurious. This is a slightly less luxurious hotel than the Jungle Lodge, but nonetheless it looks nice.

You sleep in private bungalows with a private bathroom. The hotel also has a restaurant. Finally, it is also possible to camp in the National Park.

At Hotel Jaguar Inn , there is a campsite where you rent a tent for Q70 and sleep for Q50 per person. If you need a hammock, you pay Q50 for it. Well, Tikal certainly was not a cheap trip. A considerable amount, but absolutely worth it! You can also save on your accommodation by camping out. Doing just a day tour, you would probably only spent Q per person.

This would be only for the bus, guide and entrance fee. A lot of water! Especially when you walk through the jungle during the daytime, it is quite warm and so you need a lot of water.

In addition, I recommend you to bring sunscreen, a cap, sunglasses and mosquito repellent. Also, something to eat is useful for when you walk through the park for many hours. We hiked on trainers and with the many kilometres that you will walk this is really a must. Finally, of course, your camera or phone. Please note that drones are forbidden in Tikal National Park.

Unfortunately, the bird died, the drone did not …. We really liked Tikal! There are very few tourists, so you have the feeling to have the park all to yourself. When your budget allows you, do spend the night in Tikal!