Tikal Ruins

Located in El Peten, Tikal is the crown jewel of Mayan ruins in Guatemala. Though it has many of the same beautiful temples as its well-known counterparts in Mexico, Tikal stands apart because of its location deep in the jungle. Trekking like Indiana Jones is not necessary, but the jungle setting is evident as you walk under a thick canopy to explore the plazas, pyramids, and temples of Tikal.
Settled around 700 BC, Tikal flourished during the Classic Period, between 200 and 900 AD. As the capital of a conquest state, it served as a center for trade and economy, growing to a population of almost 100,000 before its decline. Some of its more noteworthy characters include Jasaw Chan K'awiil I, also known as Au Cacao (Lord Chocolate!), who conquered the chief rival Mayan state of Calakmul around 695 AD.

Though local knowledge of the site continued, it was largely ignored by the government and outsiders until an 1848 expedition sent by the Guatemalan government. Tikal slowly gained momentum as foreigners and explorers ventured in the jungle around El Peten, and in 1956 the University of Pennsylvania began to partner with the Instituto de Antropologia y Historia in Guatemala.

Modern-day visitors are in for a treat. An easy day trip from Flores or El Remate, Tikal is accessible for many visitors. Though most visitors come in the middle of the day, the best time to visit is early morning or in the evening - when the jungle is coolest and the crowds thinnest. Sights not to be missed include the Temple of the Grand Jaguar, Northern Acropolis, and Temple of Inscriptions.

Practical Info

This is one of the top tourist attractions in Central America, so while roads are good and buses from Flores and Belize are numerous and punctual, several tour groups will have arrived by late morning. Come early to enjoy solitude and wildlife. Park hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and anyone caught sneaking around afterward risks spending quality time in a Guatemalan jail. The museum costs Q10 extra and is worth it, while souvenirs and snacks are available onsite. There are camping and lodging options just outside the park.