Address: On the walkway to the ruins

Traveler Reviews

It's changed over the years... for better, for worse, who knows!?
Reviewed by red_head8888 on Oct 12, 2009


As a child, when I went to Tikal, there were plenty of men making it clear with their machine guns that you should be cautious but at the same time, you got to explore everything, with not a lot of people there. Now, many of the temples (long-term, short-term, I don't know) were ropped off so you couldn't go up. There are many more people present and many more man-made structures in place to help but that also take away from the culture (and the overall experience). I would still say if you're in the area, it's a must-see but it's not some place to go out of the way for.

Tikal has the best ruins of any in Central America
Reviewed by CallieB on Oct 9, 2009


We LOVED visiting Tikal... unlike the ruins near Cancun which are flooded with busloads of visitors, Tikal is so isolated, the country around it is just beautiful and there are very few lodging options in the area, thus very few tourists. The ruins are astounding and the trails between them are a great way to get in touch with nature and see the landscape and the way it must have been for the Mayans - would DEFINITELY recommend you visit them if you have the chance.

Don't look down...until you get to the top
Reviewed by TCWII on Oct 8, 2009


Tikal is the seat of ancient Mayan civilization (and, famously, a scene in the first Star Wars movie). Visitors climb wooden ladders or stairs up the side of a pyramid, for the privilege of sitting at the top and surveying the forest, and other pyramids peeking above the canopy. Tikal is an enormous complex in the middle of a national park that shelters monkeys, beautiful birds, guatimundi, and jaguars. You can take a day trip with or without a guide to see the restored structures, or take a week to trek into the forest and look for the overgrown structures. Restoration at Tikal means a number of things, from unearthing, to removing the newer outer layers of limestone (revealing the older base pyramids underneath), to wholesale rebuilding of pyramids using the historical methods.

Great trip for the adventure
Reviewed by sealteamone on Jun 20, 2009


If you like would something off the beaten path try a trip to Guatemala to see the Main runes of Tikal? My wife and I have seen a number of runes around the world and Tikal is among the best. Tikal is a world heritage site that was built in 700 BC. So pack some good walking boots and sun screen because Tikal is deep in the Guatemala Jungle.

Trip to Tikal
Reviewed by STMAN2005 on Apr 16, 2009


I recently visited Belize and took the trip to Tikal. What a wonderful site and I would definitely recommend using a guide service, specifically Luis Godoy, Nature Guide at Belize Nature Travel, www.experiencebelize.com. I have used Luis previously in Belize, but the trip to Tikal was well executed and planned so that we saw as much as possible, crossed the border easily and were attended to while at the site. Luis arranged the transportation, border crossings and lunch in Guatemala, which was great.