21
January
Exploring the Maya Ruins at Tikal

We recently shared with you our recommendations for the top Maya ruins to see in Belize.

But if you’re in Belize, there is another Maya archaeological site in the neighborhood that you definitely won’t want to miss: the Maya city of Tikal, located just across the border in Guatemala. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is almost other-worldly, and has appropriately been selected as the setting in films such as Star Wars Episode IV and Apocalypto. It’s incredible archaeological structures combined with its impressive jungle setting make for a fascinating visit as you climb to the top of the famous Temple IV, the city’s highest building, to gaze out over the pyramids rising above the jungle trees as howler monkeys chatter in the background.

This massive city, which is less than 10% excavated, is thought to have had 50,000 - 90,000 inhabitants during the height of its reign and was one of the most powerful cities in the Maya empire. The site will take all day to explore, so you should plan on arriving early in the morning.

After scheduling a van to pick us up at 5:00 am from our lakeside lodge in El Remate, we rode silently through the windy, jungle roads, eagerly anticipating the adventure that awaited us. An hour later, we arrived at the park entrance and took off on a half-hour hike through the jungle before reaching the ruins. The structures and jungle setting at Tikal were absolutely breathtaking. Here are some of our favorite photos from our time at Tikal:

Once you arrive at Tikal Visitor Center, you'll need to walk about twenty minutes through the jungle before you reach the ruins. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes!

One of the many corridors you'll navigate at Tikal, this one at Group G.

The most famous structure at Tikal, the Temple of the Jaguar, believed to be a tomb for Maya rulers.

The Temple of the Jaguar, as viewed from the Central Acropolis.

A room at the Central Acropolis.

The ruins of Tikal are surrounded by dense jungle teeming with Howler monekys and toucans.

The Central Acropolis

It is estimated that only 6% of Tikal has been excavated. The rest of the pyramids lie hidden, covered by centuries of growth and erosion.

Climb to the top of Temple IV, the tallest of the structures, to look out over the entire Tikal complex.

Temple V, though not one of the most impressive structures, is well worth the visit as its out-of-the-way location takes you through dense jungle, past other smaller ruins and plenty of wildlife!


Tips for planning your trip to Tikal: Although you can visit Tikal on a guided day trip from San Ignacio, Belize, we definitely recommend staying in Guatemala for a few days if you have time in your schedule. There are two small towns used as base camps for exploring Tikal: Flores and El Remate. Both towns are located on Lago (Lake) Peten Itza, a beautiful place to watch the sun set. We chose to stay in El Remate due to its closer proximity to Tikal National Park. Most hotels or lodges will have an option available for transport to the park, though you can also take a bus. You will buy your ticket at the entry gate. We recommend arriving at the park as early as possible to allow yourself plenty of time to explore the ruins, as well as to experience the magical setting as the morning mist rises over the ruins and few tourists dot the area.

If you’ve visited Tikal, what was your favorite part?

Related posts:

  1. 5 Maya ruins to explore in Belize
  2. Why my fear of spiders kept me from exploring Belize’s ATM Cave
  3. Beyond Machu Picchu: Three more Inca ruins to explore