Located in the region of El Peten in Guatemala, Tikal is the most famous of the ancient Mayan cities. It is known that the Maya were the best architects in the American continent. During the classical period, between 300 and 900 AD, spread over the south of the Yucatan Peninsula and the northwest of Guatemala and Honduras today, building large ceremonial centers that were then mysteriously abandoned around the year 900 Among them Tikal.

However, it has been recently discovered that the Maya existed 1000 years before, in the pre-classical and relics found in the El Mirador, in the heart of Guatemala, where he probably hides the world’s largest pyramid.

Tikal, whose name means «Place of Voices» or «Place of Languages» in Maya, is the most important archaeological site in the country and is part of the beautiful scenery of the Guatemalan jungle. The combination of the archaeological park and its ecological landscape makes it a very interesting attraction. The park was created in May 1955 and the UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1979. It has an area of 576 square kilometers, including a visitor center, which is recommended to visit first, since it has a scale model of the exposed part of the city, and can plan a visit if you decide not to take a guide who speak English, Italian, French, German and Spanish.

Composed by the Central Plaza, North Acropolis, the Lost World and the temples and palaces, which contained an estimated population of 100,000 to 150,000. Tikal’s architecture is characterized by an exquisite sense of proportion and design, as well as its structural refinement and subtlety of the details. Being a prime tourist destination, the park authorities reported that each year the area receives over 200,000 visitors. Visitors must pay an entrance fee which is $ 6.50 for foreigners and $ 2 for visitors Guatemalans.

Services available within the park:
Visitors Center
Hotels
Camping
Restaurants and canteens
Gift shops
Parking
Trails and access roads
Guidelines approved by the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism INGUAT
Rest Areas
Museums
Transport for the disabled and seniors to the ruins

Opening Hours
From 06:00 am to 18:00 pm. (365 days).

Museums
From 09:00 to 17:00 hrs. (Monday to Friday)
From 09:00 to 16:00 hrs. (Saturdays and Sundays)

How to get there?
Tikal is located 63 kilometers from Flores, Peten, Guatemala. When placed in Flores is easy to find the travel services for your trip to Tikal. Similarly if you are in another region of the country, travel agents provide packages to connect to Tikal. Petén is located 495 kilometers from the capital of Guatemala.

See you tomorrow, bye!