About Guatemala

Between 222 square miles of jungle lies the ruins of the city of Tikal, the greatest city of the ancient Mayan civilization. Tikal National Park, declared as a World Heritage Site by the UN, is the largest excavated site in the American continent and is also one of the most important natural reserves of Central America. It’s located in the northern department of Petén, about 50 miles northwest from the Belizean border and 310 miles North from Guatemala City.

The city of Tikal, which means “Place of Voices” in Maya, was abruptly abandoned over1000 years ago, and was discovered accidentally by a gum collector in 1848. Inside the park is located the largest ceremonial center in the Maya World, which includes thousands of structures. The most impressive of them are six large pyramids of over 200 feet tall supporting temples on their tops and the palaces surrounding the Central Acropolis. There are also two museums, where some of Tikal’s most valuable ceramics and objects are displayed, three hotels, a camping ground, restaurants and small coffee shops that provide some comfort to the visitors.

Watching the sunset or the sunrise above a Mayan pyramid is an experience strongly suggested to the tourists staying at the park’s hotels. The jungle is teeming with exotic birds, monkeys, foxes, reptiles, small mammals and even jaguars, but to hear the sound of the howling monkey while watching a misty sunset is definitely something hard to forget.

Tikal National Park is 19 miles away from the island of Flores, Peten’s department capital, so it’s easy to get there by bus or in the shuttles available at the Tour Operator Businesses in the island or in the nearby Santa Elena. And if you’re looking for an extra thrill, there are canopy tours at the entrance of the park.

Activities, hotels, restaurants and more from Peten.