Great Plaza
Great Plaza
5
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Once the ceremonial, religious and social center of Tikal, this plaza is surrounded by huge temples, a palace, sculpted altars and a ball court.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
500 reviews
Excellent
444
Very good
49
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
0
bucketlisttravellers
Sydney, Australia3,641 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The Great Plaza holds Temple I and II, as well as other structures and it is an impressive area. It was a perfect spot for us to have lunch after our guided tour of the complex. Note it is still a good 20min or so from here to the exit and something to bear in mind if you are aiming to catch a bus at a particular time.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deanne D
Wellington, New Zealand1,404 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Take time to have a good look around here as there is lots to see from the rain god to the original wooden beams in the VIP housing part. There is a good view of pyramid one and you can climb pyramid two fryers. There is a good amount of shade to sit under on a hot day.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LuizDutraNeto
Rio de Janeiro, RJ8,569 contributions
Nov 2019
The "Great Plaza" of the largest ever Mayan city! According to archaelogical records, "Tikal" has been inhabited since the 6th BC and, at its peak, over 90,000 persons lived here! One can imagine this beautiful square, flanked by the iconics "Temple I" and "Temple II", by the royal residential palaces and by the many stelae and ceremonial altars, crowded by the local population on their daily tasks! Just amazing! At any visit to "Tikal", the "Great Square" cannot be missed - an outstanding complex of buildings and public spaces, offering fantastic picture opportunities! Fond memories to take home! Enjoy!
Written September 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pedro Grilo
San Francisco, CA320 contributions
Mar 2019
Amazing to experience for sure, had a great half day in this very unique place, the heart of the old Maya culture.The place is a must seen in center America for sure.
Written October 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynn W
Keller, TX58 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
It is the main attraction. Ask for a tour guide from Gem Tours. Specifically ask for Jose Moreno. His English is like a native.
Written January 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim B
Phuket, Thailand67 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
Stunning maya temples located in the jungle of Guatemala. In can become a bit crowdy so go early in the morning.
Written July 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rosh145
London, UK1,761 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Having been to Chichen Itza, Tulum and Teotihuacan this was definitely the best of the Mayan ruins I have seen. It takes about 90 minutes from Flores to get here. It is worth paying the extra amount for the guided tour as it's set over a large site. It takes about 4 hours to walk around.
Written August 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdventureLass
Lakeland, MN461 contributions
Dec 2015 • Friends
The Great Plaza consists of Temples 1 & 2 and the ball court. Temple 1 faces west towards the setting sun and stands 45 meters high. Temple 2 faces the east and stands 38 meters. You can roam around the Great Plaza at your leisure or hire a guide. Try to go in the morning when the sun is not so hot. Wear a hat and sunscreen or bring an umbrella. It's also a good idea to wear bug repellent and bring bottled water. There is food available at the Visitor's Center but no food or water at the site. There was one guy selling cold drinks out of a cooler and small snacks at the truck drop-off area. This area also had washrooms.
It's about a 1km trek into the Great Plaza from the Tikal Visitor's Center. The trek is on a fairly uneven dirt road with climbs. I wouldn't recommend a wheelchair or buggy/pram, but people were making the attempt in wheelchairs during my visit.
There is ONE small pickup truck that will take seniors and those with disabilities the majority of the length of the road. However, the locals do not understand queues very well, and even though there is a waiting area for this truck, and a line, it doesn't seem to matter. Our wait for the truck was an hour, thankfully in the shade. You must still be able to make a climb to the Great Plaza after the truck has dropped you off. The road and pathways will be slippery if it has been raining.
It's about a 1km trek into the Great Plaza from the Tikal Visitor's Center. The trek is on a fairly uneven dirt road with climbs. I wouldn't recommend a wheelchair or buggy/pram, but people were making the attempt in wheelchairs during my visit.
There is ONE small pickup truck that will take seniors and those with disabilities the majority of the length of the road. However, the locals do not understand queues very well, and even though there is a waiting area for this truck, and a line, it doesn't seem to matter. Our wait for the truck was an hour, thankfully in the shade. You must still be able to make a climb to the Great Plaza after the truck has dropped you off. The road and pathways will be slippery if it has been raining.
Written March 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Uluwhehi
Denver, CO270 contributions
Mar 2023
if you dont have a lot of time or cant walk a lot- do this. lots of cool stuf fin a small area. Great place for sunset
Written March 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken Q
Denver, United States824 contributions
Dec 2022
The whole park is fascinating to visit. We enjoyed walking around and exploring the various sections and temples.
Written February 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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