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Tikal National Park

Near San José · Guatemala

Background

World Heritage since
1979
Type of site
Mixed
Classic apogee
200–900

In the heart of the jungle, surrounded by lush vegetation, lies one of the major sites of Maya civilisation, inhabited from the 6th century BC to the 10th century AD. UNESCO says the ceremonial centre holds superb temples and palaces and public squares reached by ramps, with the remains of dwellings scattered through the surrounding countryside.

Tikal, probably called Yax Mutal, was the capital of one of the most powerful Maya kingdoms, at its height in the Classic period from about 200 to 900 and linked to distant Teotihuacan, whose conquerors may have founded its greatest dynasty in the 4th century. Abandoned by the end of the 10th century and first explored in 1848, it became a national park in 1955. Wikivoyage says the sight of the temples poking through the canopy is awesome, and that wooden stairs up the back of several pyramids give views above the trees.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 4th c. BCThe first monumental architecture
  2. 4th c. ADA dynasty with roots in Teotihuacan takes power
  3. 562Tikal is defeated by Caracol
  4. 10th c.The city is abandoned
  5. 1848First modern exploration
  6. 1955Tikal National Park is established
  7. 1979Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Great Plaza
    Flanked by the two great temple-pyramids; Temple II has a wooden stair to a viewing deck.
  2. 2
    Temple IV
    The tallest at 70 m, with the widest view over the jungle; a shot in the 1977 Star Wars was filmed here.
  3. 3
    Mundo Perdido
    The largest Preclassic complex, whose pyramid can be climbed to the top.
  4. 4
    North Acropolis
    One of the most studied building groups in the Maya world.
  5. 5
    Central Acropolis
    The palace complex on the south side of the plaza.
  6. 6
    The Wildlife
    Black monkeys in the canopy, and jaguars the staff like to mention.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

From Flores
Wikivoyage: Tikal is 1.5 to 2 hours' drive from Flores, which has the nearest airport; buses and minibuses run on a paved road.
6:00 to 17:00
The main entrance opens at 06:00 and closes by 17:00, with everyone out by 17:30; sunrise tours need a guide and must be booked.
Heat and Water
Wikivoyage says the main danger is dehydration or heatstroke; carry plenty of water, cheaper from the shops outside.
Pay Before the Gate
Tickets are paid online or at the booth 12 km before the entrance.

Tikal from Flores

Not yet in a GoGo guide

  1. 06:00
    Great Plaza90 min
    The twin temples as the gate opens.
  2. 08:00
    Mundo Perdido1 hr
    Climb the Preclassic pyramid.
  3. 09:30
    Temple IV90 min
    The highest view over the canopy.
  4. 11:30
    Stelae Museum and Visitor Centre1 hr
    The carved stones and the relief map.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: Dec–Feb. Very hot (highs 34°C+) in Apr. Rainy season Jun–Nov.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Oct (246 mm), driest Apr (38 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
Calakmul in Mexico is 94 km away through the forest, the Belize Barrier Reef 189 km, Quiriguá 225 km and Palenque 260 km.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 64 · Wikipedia: Tikal · Wikivoyage: Tikal (CC BY-SA 4.0) · UNESCO listing