Is Tikal Worth Visiting? COMPLETE Tikal Guide (2023)
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Researching whether or not Tikal is worth it? I’ve been there! As someone who is not a *huge* history fan, I wondered whether the tip to Flores and then outwards to Tikal was worth it (and that’s why I thought writing this post was important).
The truth is, Tikal is pretty out of the way. It isn’t en route to anywhere you’ll likely be visiting in Guatemala, so you really have to want to visit if you’re planning a trip there.
But I can confirm – Tikal is absolutely worth the trip. It’s unlike any other Mayan ruin site I’ve been too, and it turned out to be one of our favourite days out whilst backpacking Central America (which was honestly, totally unexpected. We were not going to go even the morning of our tour due a number of reasons).
So I’m here to explain just why I say yes to ‘is Tikal worth visiting’, and why it should be part of any backpackers Guatemalan itinerary.
Is Tikal worth visiting? Let’s get started!
❗️INSIDER TIP: You will need to show your passport, driving license or photo of your passport to be allowed entry to Tikal. ❗️
Other Guatemala posts you might like:
- Flores To Tikal: EVERYTHING You Need To Know In 2023
- How To Get From Flores To Semuc Champey: 2023 Guide
- Flores to Belize City: Complete Step-By-Step Guide 2023
Is Tikal Worth Visiting? A Summary
In short, yes, Tikal is worth visiting. Why? Well, it’s one of the biggest Mayan sites in the world, and date back to over 1000 BC. That is crazy history!
Tikal is known for being one of the most popular attractions in Guatemala, and for good reason. You will escape reality for a few hours, and be transported into a world entirely different to your own. Deep in the Guatemalan jungle, you will learn about the Mayan way of life, hike temples to breathtaking viewpoints and spot wildlife every few steps. It really is a unique and incredible experience.
We were lucky enough to visit Tikal on Valentine’s Day (this wasn’t planned, although I’m so happy it worked out this way). The park was quiet (it doesn’t get nearly as busy as Chichen Itza or some of the other Mayan sites), and we had it to ourselves along with our tour group.
We had an enthusiastic, fun and engaging guide, who loved teaching us about Guatemalan history. We walked around the park for over 6 hours and absolutely loved it. As we had opted for the sunset tour (you can pick either sunset or sunrise), we climbed to the top of a temple to watch the sun turn from a clear blue to a moody orange and pink. We all felt pretty lucky to be sitting quietly, overlooking the thick Guatemalan jungle from this height whilst the sun went down. A core memory was definitely made!
If you’re wondering whether or not to visit Tikal, I get it. I’m not a huge fan of ruins, and I prefer mountains, hiking and beaches. But this felt different – it felt special. I enjoyed learning about the history, with some of the Mayan facts really blowing my mind (although I won’t spoil them for you).
So if you’re on the fence, jump off of it. Go for it, book the day trip to Tikal. You won’t regret it (and if you do, you can blame me!).
Is Tikal worth visiting? Yes, yes and yes again!
Visiting Tikal: Quick Facts
Visiting Tikal for the first time? Here is some helpful information to help you to plan your day!
| Opening times | 6am – 6pm, 365 days a year |
| Entrance cost | 150Q per person |
| Guide needed? | Highly recommended |
| Address | Selva Tropical 100 Flores, Departamento de El Petén, Tikal National Park 17013 Guatemala |
| Drones allowed? | No |
| Days needed | 1 (8-9 hour tour) |
| What to wear | Comfortable walking clothes with trainers/walking boots |
| What to pack | Passport, photo ID or photo of passport is needed to enter Tikal. Then water, snacks, camera, bug spray, umbrella or raincoat – anything you would normally take on a day out. |
| Sunset or sunrise? | Both are incredible – and it’s more of a personal preference. |
| Base yourself in | Either Flores Island or Tikal’s jungle accommodation |
| Wildlife in Tikal | Jaguars, monkeys, turkeys (we saw a lot of turkeys!) scoprions, foxes, tarantulas, hummingbirds, parrots, coatis, birds, crocodiles and a whole lot more! (Spotting wildlife in Tikal was actually my favourite part.) |
| Don’t miss… | The Temple of the Great Jaguar, Temple of the Double Headed Serpent and Temple of the Jaguar Priest. |
| Is Tikal worth visiting? | Yes, yes and yes again! |
Top tips for visiting Tikal
If you’re visiting Tikal for the first time, it’s good to know that:
- There is only one small restaurant at the entrance of Tikal. You will need to take your own snacks and be sure to eat lunch beforehand. We ordered sandwiches from our favourite restaurant in Flores (Casa Amelia) and took them to eat before entering. We left at 12pm and didn’t return until 9pm, so make sure you bring something!
- You will need to show either your passport, driving license or photo of your passport to be allowed entry to Tikal.
- Take cash to tip your guide at the end of the day (or if you want to buy any food) – cards are not accepted
- You can pre-book your entrance ticket online to save time queuing
- Drones are sadly not allowed in Tikal, so don’t even bother packing one!
- As Tikal is so big, you may go a little while without seeing someone selling water. Take enough water with you to last for at least a few hours. It gets hot and humid, so be prepared!
- Look out for wildlife – everywhere! We saw so much wildlife on our trip to Tikal, it was actually my favourite part. There were monkeys pretty much everywhere, and we even saw turkeys fly! Yes, this was a weird experience…😂 The group before us were lucky enough to see a jaguar (from the safety of their own shuttle).
- Take bug spray – as you can imagine, when dusk falls, the insects in the middle of the Guatemalan jungle can go a little crazy!
How many days should I spend in Tikal?
Tikal covers a really big area (57,000 hectares to be precise), so you need enough time to experience the highlights. If you are short on time, a half day trip to Tikal is enough to make some really special memories. We opted for the sunset tour, which actually lasted around 9 hours door to door. This was enough for us, and we now have a memory that will last a lifetime!
However, some of our group decided to stay overnight in one of the unique jungle accommodations. They wanted to see Tikal at both sunrise, and sunset. This is personal preference. If you like to walk, hike and explore in more depth, two days in Tikal may be more preferable.
How to get to Tikal from Flores
The easiest and most popular way to get to Tikal from Flores is by a guided tour. The journey from Flores to Tikal is approximately 2 hours. Tours can either be taken at sunrise or sunset. You can also get a shared shuttle, private taxi or public bus to Tikal from Flores.
Need more information? Check out my detailed post: Flores To Tikal: EVERYTHING You Need To Know here.
⮕ View all Flores to Tikal tours here.
❗️INSIDER TIP: You will need to show your passport, driving license or photo of your passport to be allowed entry to Tikal. ❗️
Entrance Costs for Tikal
If you are visiting Tikal without a tour, the cost to enter is 150 Q (£15/$19). You will need to show your passport, driving license or photo of your passport to be allowed entry.
If you are visiting for sunrise or sunset (only available with a tour guide), you will need to pay an extra 100Q (£10/$13). This is because technically, the park is closed. You are paying to be there outside of opening times, so therefore pay an extra fee.
We opted for an all-inclusive option. For 450 Q each (£45/$47), we had transport to and from the park, a tour guide, sunset entrance and our Tikal entrance fee covered. At first, we thought this was pretty steep, but the day was so packed full of information, it was totally worth it in the end!
Do I need a guide to visit Tikal?
I strongly recommend hiring a guide to visit the Tikal ruins in Guatemala. Not only do they tell you about the ancient history of the ruins, but they keep you safe! Tikal is spread across a vast area in the jungle, and it’s easy to get lost. Hire a guide to stay on the ‘beaten track’ an enjoy Tikal to it’s fullest!
If you don’t visit with a tour, you can hire a guide at the entrance. But, as of March 2023, there aren’t many shuttles that run to Tikal from Flores without a guide. We were quite literally forced into booking a tour (but I am so glad we were, as it turned out way better than if we had visited alone!)
❗️INSIDER TIP: You will need to show your passport, driving license or photo of your passport to be allowed entry to Tikal. ❗️
Sunset or Sunrise tour to Tikal?
There are two main tours from Flores to Tikal; the sunrise and sunset tours.
- Sunrise tour: leave Flores at either 3am or 4am, return around 1pm
- Sunset tour: leave Flores for Tikal at 12pm, return around 9pm
Most backpackers jump at the idea of sunrise (I don’t know what it is, but backpackers seem to love sunrises?!) However, even as experienced backpackers, we are not sunrise people!
Sunset will always suit us better, and we absolutely loved the sunset Tikal tour!
The only difference between the two tours is the time you visit. Both times are quiet and not too chaotic. You will climb to the top of a temple to watch the sunrise/sunset on both tours.
As part of the sunset tour, we also finished with a nighttime jungle walk, which was actually one of my favourite parts of the day. However, this isn’t guaranteed, and was just because our tour guide was so fantastic!
⮕ View all Flores to Tikal tours here.
Should I stay in Flores or Tikal?
This is down to personal preference and the kind of experience you want to have. Tikal is around a 2/2.5 hour drive from Flores, depending on traffic. If you have the luxury of time on your side, staying in unique jungle accommodation within the Tikal National Park may be best for you (I wish we had enough time to do this!)
Below I have listed both the best places in Flores and Tikal to stay for your visit. Both have pros and cons, and we personally only had time to stay in Flores, and this worked out perfectly for us.
Where to stay in Flores
If you’re visiting Flores for the first time, I recommend you stay on the island rather than the mainland to get the full experience.
Flores Island in Guatemala is exceptionally small. That means all of the accommodations, hostels and hotels are within walking distance of each other.
Again, my biggest piece of advice is to book hostels in advance. We missed out on so many of the best hostels in Central America as they fill up so quickly – get booking!
- Los Amigos Hostel: This is by far the most popular hostel in Flores, but also the most expensive! A dorm will cost over £20 a night, and a private room up to £120. When we were staying in Flores, there was no availability even 4 weeks in advance, so make sure you book early! ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL NOW!
- Hotel Peten Express Tikal: Another popular hostel in Flores with a good location on the water. It has a calmer atmosphere than Los Amigos. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL NOW!
⮕ View all other Hostelworld hostels in Flores here.
Accommodation in Tikal
As Tikal is so vast, some people decide to split their visit across two days. Most tourists will book a tour from Flores, then instead of getting the shuttle back, will stay in the park for their jungle accommodation. This is a great option if you have the luxury of time on your side!
NOTE: most accommodations in Tikal have limited electricity and wifi.
The best and highest-rated hotels in Tikal are:
- Hotel Jaguar Inn: eco-friendly hotel with bungalows, located on the site of Tikal itself, with budget-friendly rooms. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOTEL NOW!
- Hotel Jungle Lodge Tikal: has an outdoor pool and a restaurant, bar, and garden and is right next to the Tikal entrance. Rooms are a little more expensive than Jaguar Inn, but it is more of a luxury hotel and experience. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOTEL NOW!
⮕ View all other hotels in Tikal here.
Is Tikal Worth Visiting? FAQs
❗️INSIDER TIP: You will need to show either your passport, driving license or photo of your passport to be allowed entry to Tikal. ❗️
1) Is Tikal safe for tourists?
Yes! Tikal is exceptionally safe for tourists (as long as you don’t go wandering into the jungle without a guide…) There is little to no danger when visiting Tikal as a tourist. There are a number of security guards throughout the day. There was no point during our visit to Tikal that we felt unsafe or in any danger.
2) Is Guatemala safe for tourists?
Guatemala has a bad reputation when it comes to safety. As tourists ourselves, and after spending 5 weeks travelling around the country, we felt safe in Guatemala. In fact, there wasn’t a single time that I felt unsafe in Guatemala, whether I was walking alone or with my partner.
Things have changed a lot in the past few years in Central America, and it is becoming increasingly safer to visit as a tourist. Any issues or problems that may occur are rarely (and hardly ever) to do with tourists, and happen in areas that you are extremely unlikely to visit.
Don’t let rumours you’ve heard about safety put you off visiting Guatemala. It’s a friendly, welcoming and beautiful country, with some of the kindest locals we have ever met.
3) Can you climb the Tikal Mayan ruins?
Some of the Tikal Mayan ruins can be climbed, whilst some cannot. They are all clearly signposted if they cannot be climbed, so don’t worry! If you are visiting with a tour group, your guide will instruct you of when you can or can’t climb the ruins.
Some of the best temples in Tikal to climb are:
- Tikal Temple IV – known as the ‘Star Wars’ temple, as it was used as a filming location in the movies. It is also known as the tallest temple in the Mayan world.
- Temple II – we watched the sunset from here. It was incredible!
- Central Acropolis
4) When is the best time to visit the Tikal Mayan ruins?
You can visit the Tikal Mayan ruins at any time of year. However, rainy season in Guatemala is from May to October, but rain can last until later in the year (even as far as December), so if you want to avoid the rain, January to May is the best time to visit.
We visited in February, and opted for the sunset tour. Luckily we were greeted with clear blue skies throughout the entire day.
5) Can I visit Tikal as a day trip from Belize?
Yes! You can visit Tikal as a day trip from Belize. In fact we saw another group at the Belizean border popping into Guatemala to visit Tikal for the day. It’s an early start and a long day, but you can visit Tikal as a day trip from Belize.
⮕ View all Tikal from Belize tours here.
6) Can you visit Tikal without a tour?
You can, but it is highly recommended (not just by myself, but by locals too) that you do not visit Tikal alone. It is exceptionally easy to get lost, and you’ll spend more of your time wandering where to go than actually enjoying it. There aren’t many signposts, and Tikal is quite literally in the middle of the jungle.
Getting lost can be pretty serious – in fact, an American sadly wandered off the beaten track just last year and the result turned out to be fatal.
I’ll be honest, we are not tour people. If we can explore by ourselves, we do. Especially as I’m not a big ruins fan, I wanted to turn up for 30 minutes, have a look around the site and leave.
This is not possible in Tikal. It isn’t the same as Chichen Itza, where you have one path that leads you to the main temple with lots of markets, people and facilities around.
Tikal is spread across a vast amount of land. It is hard to navigate if you do not know your way around!
⮕ View all online pre-booked Flores to Tikal tours here.
7) Is Tikal worth visiting in the rain?
Yes, Tikal is still worth visiting in the rain. If anything, the rain and mist will make Tikal more atmospheric! There are a few shelters dotted around the park where you can take cover, rest and eat your lunch. Be sure to pack an umbrella and raincoat, as you can enjoy Tikal in any weather!
8) How much is a taxi from Flores to Tikal?
If you are getting a private taxi from Flores to Tikal, it will cost approximately £50-60 ($60-72 or 570 Q).
9) Is Tikal worth the trip?
Yes, Tikal is worth the trip! In fact, it was one of our favourite days whilst backpacking in Guatemala. Even if you aren’t a huge history fan, wandering around the jungle and spotting wild animals, learning about the Mayan way of life and watching the sunset/sunrise from the top of a temple that dates back to the 6th Century BC is pretty impressive!
⮕ View all Flores to Tikal tours here.
Other Tikal posts:
Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America
If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.
Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.
I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.
If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.
With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)
Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!
If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!
Is Tikal Worth Visiting?: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about whether or not Tikal is worth visiting whilst backpacking Guatemala.
When you’re planning a trip to Guatemala, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m backpacking Central America with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Guatemala content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
Other Guatemala posts:
- Flores To Tikal: EVERYTHING You Need To Know In 2023
- Is Semuc Champey Worth It? A COMPLETE Guide For 2023
- Flores to Belize City: Complete Step-By-Step Guide 2023
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
Your blog has been invaluable for us! We have been following along from Bacalar, through to Caye Caulker and San Ignacio. We are heading to Flores tomorrow and Tikal the next day – I was wondering who was your tour guide / company?
Ah thank you so much! We actually booked our trip with someone on Flores Island. There are so many small shops with travel agents selling the day trips, and most of them are for the same tour! There is even one right where the shuttle drops you off! I hope that helps ☺️