Guatemala is a magical place. It has everything you’re looking for in Central America; Maya ruins, gorgeous colonial villages, volcanoes, mountains, peaceful lakes, colorful markets and dense jungle. One of the most well known and most impressive ancient Maya citadels in Central America is the site of Tikal. It’s the mother of all other Maya sites and the capital of the Maya civilization.
Facts
- Capital: Guatemala City
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: Guatemalan Quetzal (1 € ≅ 8.3 GTQ)
- Population: 16.7 million
- Size: 108.889 km² (2.5 times Holland)
- Daylight saving time: No
- Visas: Not required for most nationalities
- Best time to visit: Nov – April (dry season)
- Visited: 2016 (part of Central America trip)
Flores
The small island of Flores is spectacularly located in the lake of Peten Itza. The island is so small that you don’t have to walk far to get some awesome views. Only 1 bridge links the island with the lakeshore town of Santa Elena. If you cross the bridge towards Santa Elena and walk around the town you feel like you’re in an off-grid tourist zone. People look at you and ask you if you’re lost. I guess not many tourists leave the island.
Peaceful Flores.
Do you want to take a tour around the lake?
Flores is the number one choice for Tikal bound travelers. It might be overrated, but after spending a few nights here I can say that it’s definitely not a bad place after all. The location is stunning and the village is quite convenient. There are heaps of hostels, restaurants and travel agencies to be found here. A fun thing to do is to rent a boat plus guide who brings you around the lake.
I love these tuk-tuks!
The lake is so peaceful.
I stayed together with an awesome German guy, who I met in Mexico, in Hospedaje Yaxha. A great hostel, bar and restaurant. If you don’t feel like walking you can hail down 1 of the many tuk-tuks who roam the streets of Flores and Santa Elena. Tuk-tuks are by far the most fun way of transport!
Street scene of Flores.
Flores is a maze of small cobblestone alleys.
I love to experience interesting traditions first hand while I’m traveling. It’s a great way to interact with the locals and to learn more of their culture. While I was exploring Flores I bumped into a group of Guatemalans who were making music, dancing, lighting of fireworks and wearing giant costumes. This parade with giant figures was just awesome. I love those unexpected events when you don’t know what’s happening!
The church of Flores.
Local celebrations: the dance of Chotona.
I later learned that it was the dance of Chotona (Doll). The next day it was time to visit the mother of all Maya ruins: Tikal.
Tikal
From Flores there are countless minivans who can bring you to Tikal which is about an hours drive. You can also take a minivan early in the morning to catch the sunrise over Tikal or one in the afternoon for the sunset. I’m not a big fan of sunrise / sunset tours. I always ended up in the past with a big crowd squeezed together on a small spot to watch the sun going up or down of which the sun was most of the times covered by clouds. Not really my thing. So we opted to take a minivan in the morning after sunrise. If you decide to take one of the sunrise / sunset tours then you will sit and wait for the sun on top of temple IV with the view as seen in the top picture. Also for the sunrise / sunset you need an additional ticket.
A huge ceiba tree welcomes you to Tikal.
The Gran Plaza of Tikal.
Tikal is different from Copan, Chichen Itza or other great Maya sites, because it’s deep in the jungle. Many plazas have been cleared of trees and vines and many temples have been uncovered and partially restored, but there are still many temples undiscovered and they are still hidden under the dense rain forest. When you walk towards the Gran Plaza from the entrance you will pass by a huge ceiba tree which is the national tree of Guatemala.
Tikal is such an amazing site!
The Gran Plaza is pretty overwhelming.
When you reach the Gran Plaza you will be greeted by two steep-sided temples, rising to a height of 60 meters. It’s fascinating and you feel so small compared to these massive temples. In the past you were able to climb the temples from the front by its main staircase. Nowadays that’s forbidden to preserve the temples. They have built a wooden staircase at the back which brings you to an intermediate plateau overlooking the plaza.
The two steep-sided temples of the Gran Plaza are massive!
The dense jungle is the home of many animals and if you’re lucky you might spot a few. The sound of howler monkeys is guaranteed as there are heaps of them to be found in and around Tikal. The smell, the heat, the jungle and the sight or sound of animals all contribute to an amazing experience. The temples, wildlife and nature are just amazing. Climbing to the top of temple IV gives you a great perspective of the size of the rain forest, vast forest for hundreds of miles in every direction.
Nowadays they’re still recovering new ruins underneath the thick vegetation.
I had a great day at the ancient site of Tikal!
The site of Tikal is massive, but all the main temples and roads leading to them are clearly marked. Don’t try to head off into the jungle to find more temples. My guide told me that he lost a few tourists who decided to take a detour and never made it back…. Finding your way back through the jungle ain’t so easy.
I look so small next to this massive temple!
Climbing the front staircase is forbidden nowadays.
Bring plenty of water, because it’s hot, very hot! Tikal is an amazing site with many hidden temples. You will be amazed!
I love the jungle that surrounds Tikal.
A massive temple hidden deep in the jungle.
I’ve visited all the major Maya sites around Central America and I must say that I don’t agree with Chichen Itza being one of the new 7 wonders of the world. Tikal is the capital of the Maya civilization and has so much more atmosphere. If you only have time to visit 1 Maya site in Central America and Mexico then I would suggest to head straight to Tikal!
After a full day of exploring the spectacular site it was time to head back to Flores. The next morning I took an early bus to Belize!
Wanna see more travel pics? Check out my Photo Gallery
Great story! I Din’t know your not a fan of sunset and sunrise! That surprise me!
Hope seven wonders of the world will change to 8 and Tikal will be one of them .
Thank you! I do like sunrises and sunsets, but not with a big crowd on a too small platform. Then the whole beauty of a sunrise or sunset is lost…. I prefer watching it together with the person you love 😉
Hi there, I enjoy reading through your post. I like to write
a little comment to support you.