Shrouded in dense tropical jungle, Tikal in the north of Guatemala is probably one of the most extraordinary and impressive of all the Mayan sites. Tikal was first occupied as a small village sometime before 300BC but by around 700AD had become an important city with great palaces, plazas and pyramids. Walk through densely forested trails before arriving at the main plaza, opened up from the surrounding vegetation and surrounded on four sides by huge pyramid temples. There are also a number of other temple sites near to Tikal including Yaxha.
Mayan Civilisation
Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, the Maya created one of the greatest civilisations in the Western Hemisphere. Mayan astronomers recorded precise tables of positions for Mars and Venus and predicted solar eclipses. They constructed great stone buildings and pyramid temples, devised intricate ball games, used hieroglyphic characters to keep written records, worked with gold and copper and developed advanced techniques of irrigation and terracing for the cultivation of crops.
Tikal
Shrouded in dense tropical jungle in northern Guatemala, Tikal is probably the most extraordinary of all the Mayan sites of this once great civilisation. The buildings date back some 2500 years and the site is so vast, many are still hidden by the rainforest. Howler monkeys deafen you as you walk early morning through the thick vegetation to come across steep stepped pyramids and enormous temples.
The main plaza has been carefully cleared from the jungle, so you can appreciate the sheer size of some of these constructions. The brave can climb some of the pyramids to gain incredible views over the canopy and spy the tops of the other pyramids of this incredible site.
El Peten - Mayan heartland
Tikal may be the best known of the Mayan cities but the El Peten area is considered the heartland of the Mayan cities. It has an incredible number of other sites to be explored for those who are keen to discover more of Mayan history.
The site of Yaxha is wonderful at sunset with breathtaking views out to the green lake below and also excellent for bird-spotting.
The largest site but also the most inaccessible is the recently discovered El Mirador, reached by helicopter or a five day hike only, whose pyramids are said to be the largest in the world.
More remote sites near Sayaxche include Ceibal and Aguateca and you can even cross into southern Mexico towards Yaxchilan, Bonampak and Palenque or east towards Belize to visit Caracol - the list of Mayan sites in this region is impressive.
Classic Guatemala & Belize
Itinerary Highlights
- Colonial Antigua
- Enigmatic Tikal Mayan ruins
- Crystal clear waters of the Caribbean
- Stunning Lake Atitilan
The Mayan World
Itinerary Highlights
- Tikal & its towering temples
- Copan - the Paris of the Mayan World
- Yaxchilan & Bonampak - Deep in the Jungle
- Jungle shroud Palenque
Tikal Jungle Lodge
Tikal Jungle Lodge is located within the national park and therefore perfect for those wishing to escape the crowds and visit at sunrise or sunset. Conveniently just half a mile from the entrance, the property is fairly simple yet rooms are still modern and spacious, each with private bathrooms. There is no air-conditioning, rooms feature ceiling fans. Surrounded by lush vegetation and wildlife, s...
La Lancha
La Lancha is a luxurious jungle resort overlooking peaceful Lake Peten Itza and close to the Maya site of Tikal. Each of the ten secluded casitas has furniture and artwork from Bali and fabrics and carvings from Guatemala. The lodge has a split-level pool, ideal to escape from the jungle heat. The open-air restaurant is situated under the main lodge’s thatch roof, with spectacular views of t...
Camino Real Tikal
Camino Real is a good choice for those wishing to visit the Tikal National Park easily (45 minutes drive) and enjoy the beauty of the area. Situated near to the villages of El Remate and Jobompiche and located on the shores of Lake Peten Itza, the Camino Real Tikal is a 72 room hotel. There are 60 standard rooms all of which have individual balconies with views of the lake and are equipped with a ...
Villa Maya
Villa Maya is a lovely eco-lodge situated 45 minutes away from the Tikal National Park. The Villa Maya offers 56 en-suite rooms with air-conditioning and private balconies. Amidst the lush tropical gardens, there is a restaurant serving international cuisine and a barbecue on Sundays, a bar, lovely swimming pool and many animals including crocodiles. Visitors to Villa Maya, which is set by the sho...
Bolontiku
Immerse yourself in the luxurious Mayan inspired Bolontiku Hotel, an ideal base for exploring the ruins at Tikal and Uaxactun. Located on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá and surrounded by lush landscaped jungle, Bolontiku is a short 25 minute transfer from the local airport at Flores. The 15 contemporary style rooms feature scenic lake views, private deck with some rooms featuring a ho...
Highlights of Guatemala
Itinerary Highlights
- Colonial Antigua
- Volcanoes & Traditional Villages
- Stunning Lake Atitlan
- Wildlife & Waterways in Rio Dulce
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