How to Plan a Trip to Tikal in Guatemala
It's one of the epicenters of the ancient Mayan civilization with huge pyramids rising above the jungle canopy, surrounded by the sprawling remains of a once great city. Tikal is a little tougher to get to than some of the easily accessed and heavily touristed sites in Mexico, but this archaeological gem is worth the extra effort.
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Things You'll Need
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Breathable synthetic clothes with long sleeves and pants
- Hiking boots
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Camera
- Passport
Instructions
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Planning a visit to the ruins starts with picking the right time. You'll want to avoid the rainy season, which can last more than half of the year, from June to December. But also avoid the holiday tourist crunch, making sometime between mid-January and Easter the ideal time to visit.
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Visit a travel clinic or the Centers for Disease Control website to see what vaccines or other preventive measures are currently recommended for the jungle areas of Guatemala. It's also recommended to consider taking a course of malaria pills before during and after the trip, but be sure to consult a physician for the best advice for your individual circumstances.
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It's madness to try to get to Tikal any other way besides flying. Roads between the ruins and the main airport in Guatemala city are atrocious. Book a flight to the capital or Cancun and hop a short and affordable flight to Tikal. It's an hour-long bus ride to the park.
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It's most convenient to stay at one of the handful of hotels in the park, because the best time to check out the ruins is first thing in the morning, before the tourist buses from the nearby resort town of Flores arrive. Check out the main plaza at first light with your guide, and make the long climb to the top of one of the main temples. Don't miss the wildlife that can only be seen early in the day.
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Plan at least a couple of days to look around the ruins. Even on a mild day, the heat and humidity can be oppressive and you'll suffer if you try to cram it all in to one day. There's lots to see and climb and you'll enjoy it all more at a leisurely pace.
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Make time to spend at least one night in the nearby town of Flores, a romantic tourist destination located on a small island in the middle of a huge lake.
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Tips & Warnings
Bring a supply of water. Avoid buying bottled water as the landscape is strewn with discarded bottles.
Despite the heat, breathable long sleeves and pants made of synthetics are best. They keep the sun off the skin and prevent the abundant potential for bites and scratches in the jungle.
Be careful with the water. Select only bottled water and avoid iced beverages while in the country.
Go slow on the stairs to the top of the pyramids. They're steep and narrow.
- Photo Credit Tikal National Park
