Tikal National Park

Lost Mayan City in the Jungle

Tikal National Park in Guatemala preserves ancient Mayan ruins surrounded by dense rainforest. The site features towering pyramids and temples that rise above the treetops, offering insight into a civilization that thrived over a thousand years ago. Visitors can explore stone structures covered with vines while hearing howler monkeys overhead. Trails wind through the park allowing access to hidden plazas and panoramic viewpoints. The area remains active both as an archaeological site and a protected habitat where wildlife continues its daily routines among centuries-old monuments.

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National Park in Guatemala

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.6

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	4
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	2

Read details

3/5

English is spoken at most hotels, by guides, and at the main ticket offices, but less so with local vendors or bus drivers. Learning a few Spanish phrases will make your visit smoother.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Tikal National Park Summary

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World-class for Maya ruins and jungle wildlife. Climb towering pyramids, walk rainforest trails, spot monkeys and birds and watch sunrise above the ancient temples.

Place score

7.8

Best at:

Historic sites

Ruins

Forests

Architecture

Natural sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

❤️ 7

Couples

♻️ 7

Sustainability

Guatemala – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) £1 ≈ GTQ 10.17
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are not widely accepted outside of major cities in Guatemala. While credit cards are accepted in some places, cash is still commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated in Guatemala, especially in restaurants. A 10-15% tip is common. Taxi drivers may also expect small tips for good service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not widely accepted in Guatemala, and alcohol is consumed in licensed venues such as bars and restaurants.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in most indoor public spaces, including restaurants and bars.

Independence Day (15 September)	Celebrates Guatemala's independence from Spain
Christmas (25 December)	Celebrated widely throughout the country

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 128 (Ambulance), 122 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber
Other:	Guatemala is known for its rich Mayan heritage, volcanoes, and natural beauty. It is an excellent destination for those interested in history, culture, and outdoor adventures.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

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The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

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for Tikal National Park, Guatemala

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

🌦️

May

🌧️

Jun

🌦️

Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - March, Dec.
Shoulder season:	April, July - Aug., Nov.
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

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Climate details

Dry season November to April is best for visiting, rainy season June to October brings mud and heavy mosquitoes

Holy Week (late March to April) brings many Guatemalan visitors, and nearby accommodation fills quickly

Don't miss

🌳 Climb Temple IV for a breathtaking jungle canopy view
🏛️ Explore the Great Plaza surrounded by towering pyramids
🐒 Discover wildlife including monkeys and colorful toucans
🌅 Visit the Lost World complex and watch the sunset
⚽ Wander ancient ball courts and royal palaces

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Why travel to Tikal National Park?

Tikal is a must for anyone fascinated by history, archaeology or just the thrill of adventure. The scale of the site is astonishing – thousands of structures, some still hidden by jungle and a sense of mystery at every turn. Climbing Temple IV for sunrise or sunset is unforgettable and the wildlife – think toucans, monkeys and coatimundis – makes the experience even more magical. It’s not just about the ruins, but the feeling of being enveloped by nature and history at once. Be prepared: the park is huge, so expect a lot of walking on uneven trails. It can get hot, humid and muddy, especially in the rainy season. Bring water, snacks and good shoes and don’t forget your passport for ticket purchases. It’s remote, so plan your transport and tickets ahead.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Tikal
A sprawling Mayan complex in Guatemala's Petén region, Tikal features towering pyramids, dense jungle and extensive ruins that reveal a once‑thriving civilization. Visitors can explore temples, ball courts and nearby wildlife.
2 North Acropolis
3 Central Acropolis
4 Pyramid of the Lost World 5C-54
5 Temple IV
6 Temple II
7 Temple I
8 Temple V

🎡Places for activities

1 Tikal
2 Jaguar Inn

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 La Ceiba

🎈Events

Equinox Sunrise Gatherings
Mayan New Year Celebrations
Wildlife Observation Weeks
Archaeology Festival
Birdwatching Events

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Knowledge before you go

Go early; heat and crowds build fast.
Bring water, insect repellent and sun protection; facilities are limited inside the ruins zone.
Download offline maps before entry; mobile signal can be unreliable in the jungle.
Consider a sunrise tour for cooler temperatures and jungle sounds; guides add essential Maya context.

How to travel to Tikal National Park

Most visitors reach Tikal via Flores, about 1–1.5 hours away by shuttle or taxi. Regular shuttles run from Flores and Santa Elena, with early departures for sunrise tours. If coming from Guatemala City, fly to Flores (Mundo Maya International Airport) and continue by road. Tickets for the park must be bought at the Banrural Bank gate (not at the park entrance) and you’ll need your passport and cash.

Access summary

From Flores/Mundo Maya Airport (FRS): Shuttle or taxi, about 60–90 minutes.
From Flores town: Tourist shuttle or minibus, roughly 60–90 minutes.
From Guatemala City: Flight to Flores, then shuttle; total around 4–6 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Tikal National Park

There are several eco-lodges and hotels right at the park entrance, like Jungle Lodge Tikal and Jaguar Inn, plus camping options for the adventurous. Flores offers a wider range of hotels and hostels, with shuttles to the park. Book ahead in high season or if you want to stay inside the park.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Jaguar Inn Tikal

8.1

Hotel Tikal Inn

8.7

Jungle Lodge Tikal Hostal

8.8

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Tikal National Park

The park is vast, so be ready for lots of walking-7 to 8 miles per day isn’t unusual. Trails are mostly dirt or forest paths, sometimes muddy and uneven. Guided tours are recommended for first-timers, but it’s possible to explore independently with a map. Shuttle buses from Flores are common and some lodges are right at the park entrance for easy access.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-43 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 43% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-2 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to GTQ) is 2% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Flores, Guatemala - 43 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£29	£66	£191
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£8	£23	£53
🍝 Food per day	£18	£39	£116
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£5	£23

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£17
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£4.70
🍟 Fast food combo	£5.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7
☕ Cappuccino	£2.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.60

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.65
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£14
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.80

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£31
🤧 Cold medication	£5.50
💇 Basic haircut	£6.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Tikal is generally safe for tourists, with security personnel present throughout the park. The main concerns are environmental – heat exhaustion, dehydration and occasionally slippery paths during the rainy season. Stay on marked trails and be cautious when climbing temple stairs.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities at Tikal are extremely limited. The nearest proper medical care is in Flores. Heat-related illnesses are the most common health issues visitors face. Bring any necessary medications and stay hydrated, as the heat and humidity can be intense.

Accessibility

Tikal presents significant challenges for those with mobility issues. The site involves extensive walking on uneven terrain and climbing steep, ancient temple stairs. There are few accommodations for wheelchair users and the jungle setting creates natural accessibility limitations.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink at Tikal. Bottled water is available from vendors within the park, but it's limited and can be expensive. Bringing your own water supply is highly recommended, especially given the hot and humid conditions.