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Tikal, Guatemala

An amazing abondoned ruins of a Mayan powercity set in the jungle of Guatemala. Grand palaces and temples poke out of the playground of howler and spider monkeys, tucans and wild turkeys. Walking through the kilometers of jungle trails is challenging yet pleasant; climbing the temples high above the jungle canopy and into the clouds is exhausting but rewarding.

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Fast Facts

Culture - Mayan

Dates of Occupation – 400BC to 900AD

Location - Petan Guatemala

Jungle Lowlands

Estimated Population – Approximately 50,000.

Elevation –

First Discovered – 1848 after rumors and oral histories about a lost city.

Entry Costs - 150 Q or 300 pesos. (Add 60 Q or 120 pesos for bus transport to Tikal from Las Flores)

Getting there:

There are many tour agents throughout the Yucatan that will arrange a bus/boat tour to Tikal.

From Palenque a popular tour is bus to Bonampak and Yaxchilán; boat to Guatemala and bus to Las Flores. The cost for this is approximately 1200 pesos one way. This includes the 2 admissions, parking, bus transport, community fee, boat transport and food in Mexico. You must pay the entrance fee to Guatemala, lodging in Las Flores, bus to Tikal and entrance to the park. The return trip is 190 to 260 Q which at the time of writing was equal to 380 to 520 pesos. While the transport on the Guatemala side is a monopoly - San Juan Travel - you can negotiate with the many many "travel agents" in Las Flores.

Driving from Palenque:

You can drive your vehicle to Migration at the boat launch to Guatemala but you must negotiate with the taxi drivers to leave your vehicle in a safe place. A good alternative is to park in Palenque and take the bus.

Drive from Mex Highway 199 South from Palenque to the Junction of Mex Highway 307 and 199. Go to the 307 and drive 135 kms to the Boat launch. You will pass as many as 3 military checkpoints that generally waive you on southbound and check more vigorously going north. You must check out of Mexico with Migration on the Mexican side at the boat launch which requires your FMT, FM2or FM3 and passport.

Entry to Guatemala requires a passport and 20Q.

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