As one of our side trips while visiting Belize, we made an excursion to Tikal. There are varied opinions on how to do Tikal, but after general research we decided to book through our hotel. This day trip starts fairly early, usually around 8:30am and it takes a couple of hours to get to Tikal if going from Belize. You are back before evening. Going with a tour has it's benefits, including easy transport up to the entrance of the main site, and bathroom strops where you can buy way overpriced snacks and Guatemalan goods. I would recommend an overnight trip for those who can do it. Tikal is simply magnificent because of how much of it has been exhumed. You enter by temple 1, the temple of the jaguar and make an entrance through the gran plaza. It takes an hour or so to climb various temples and explore the accessible parts of the living quarters and gran plaza. You can also take a small hike through the forest, through magnificent old trees - hundreds of feet high, and hike another temple to see a vista of tree tops and Temple IV peeking through the trees. It is very interesting to learn how they learned and the principles (and ideas) that surround the pyramid architecture. Now that I've learned about Belizean ruins, I am actually more inclined to spend more time in Belize as their Mayan presence is actually just as significant in Guatemala -- and the spaces are far less commercialized.

We woke up a little after 2am in order to make it to Tikal before 4am. We entered the park with our experienced guide, Israel, and a flashlight and walked to the Grand Plaza where we ascended a platform on Templo II and waited for the sunrise. That morning there was a heavy mist that muted the spectacle, but we remained on the platform long after everyone else left as the morning sun burned the mist away. Gorgeous view! We went on to explore the enormous site, one of the most well-preserved Mayan cities, and the enormous temples in various stages of restoration. The temples were primarily used for astronomical purposes as the complex Mayan culture studied the night skies. It is amazing to think of these structures as complex calendars that provided critical information to the population. Those who have visited other Mayan sites, particularly Teotihuacan outside Mexico City, can appreciate the cultural significance of this ancient people who ruled this particularly area for around to 2,000 years.

Tikal is an amazing Mayan ruins site. While only a fraction of the buildings, temples and other structures have been excavated and restored this site vividly demonstrates the incredible accomplishments of the Mayan civilization. A good tour will take most of the day and involve a lot of walking/climbing. For anyone interested in Meso-American history, this stop is a MUST.

You can’t miss this if you are coming to Guatemala. We had visited Mayan sites in Mexico but this deserves to visit all to itself. My husband a I went with a lovely guide, Luis, who had been born in the park as his parents had worked on the archeological site and knew the place very well. Despite my vertigo I managed the wooden steps up two of the temples which gave fabulous views over the site.

Absolutely fantastic place to visit. There are various temples and getting to them requires a bit of a hike, not too strenuous just lots of tree roots etc to navigate. It is possible to climb the temples and take in the breath taking views, that is quite strenuous and I only managed one! We heard a lot of howler monkeys which gives the place a Jurassic Park feel. There were also a number of spider monkeys and coatis to see.

Of course it's a 5. You probably knew that anyway. Seriously though, a hidden gem less well known than than many major UNESCO sites. That said, the scenery, the expansive nature of the site and natural scenery is the reasons why you wanted to go there in the first place. Flanked by stunning scenery and wildlife, Tikal is a large site that with a little effort can be done in a day. That said, a reasonable effort would be required and a moderate amount of fitness likewise. A few of the buildings have wooden staircases for the elevated views The site is large and you are able to feel uncrowded and at peace to enjoy the area without coaches galore with thousands of visitors. So, if it's a unique experience with few crowds, Tikal it is. Easily accessed from Flores circa 1 hour. If you are traveling in a rental car as a visitor without a guide or your, be warned. ********At the first entry gate you will be given a timed ticket. There are very strict speed limits of 45 km/h to protect wildlife. A second gate is about 10-15km away. If you arrive early and have been speeding - then your caught.***** No big deal.

Truly one of the great archeological sites in all of the Americas. Tikal is a must visit site. The largest city nearby is Flores, capital of the Department of Peten. There is a small international airport. Tikal is also an easy day trip from Belize, although staying in the area for more than a day is advisable. Probably a good idea to hire a guide at the site if you drive yourself. There are guidebooks and maps available at the park visitor's center.

This should be on everyone's bucket list. It is magical and breathtaking. A short trip on a bus takes you up to the temples. You are close to many animals and can hear and see howler monkeys throughout the hike. Although you can no longer climb The Great Jaguar, there are still several other temples you can climb. The views from the top are incredible. This is a must see when you visit Guatemala.

I have travelled to a lot of Mayan and Incan ruins across Central and South America. Including Tulum, Machu Picchu, Chichen Itza, and Tikal has been my favorite so far. The grounds are huge, and feels very untouched. Since everything is spread out, you can always find a spot where you have complete serenity, other then the abundant wildlife that calls the area home.

The photos don’t do it justice. It an amazing place to learn about Mayan culture. I recommend a tour guide to provide the rich details of this historic site. If you can check out the nearby city of Flores too.