Points of Interest & Landmarks • Mysterious Sites
Open now
Top Things to Do in Tikal National Park
Things to Do in Tikal National Park
Book these experiences for a close-up look at Tikal National Park.
Top Attractions in Tikal National Park
Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Open now
Natural History Museums • History Museums
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
Open now
Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Open now
Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Open now
Day Trips
What travellers are saying
- MarkyMAmsterdamAmsterdam, The Netherlands151 contributionsBeautiful place and must see in Guatemala.
Some practical advise for independent travellers.
- You can get to the park with collectivo from Santa Helena old busstation (terminal vieja) 4 times per day. We got one at 13.30hrs for 75Q (but we probably paid a bit too much). From Tikal to Flores the collectivo's leave from the parking lot at 11.30hrs, 15.30, 16.30 and one more after that.
- It's a good idea to stay overnight in the park at one of the hotels near the entrance (we liked to Tikal Jungle Lodge, next to the entrance of the site). You can get into the park with a normal ticket from 6.00 am. We did encounter few other visitors at that time and it gives you enough time to see all the highlights and be back for the 11.30hrs collectivo.
- You cannot buy a tickets at the entrance of the site! However, you can buy a ticket at the entrance of the park (18 km before the entrance of the site) on the Santa Helena - Tikal Road, but is closes at 17.30hrs. The collectivo will stop to give you the opportunity to buy a ticket. Alternatively, you can buy a ticket at the Banrural or CNH Bank. The tickets do not have a date yet, so you can buy them days in advance. Most banks close at 17.00/17.00 but the Banrural at Mundo Maya shopping center closes at 19.00 hrs (every day!). It took us 45 minutes waiting at the bank to get a ticket at the bank, while at the park entrance there was no line at all.
- A tickets costs 150Q. 100Q for sunrise or sunset. With a sunrise ticket you can enter before 6.00am, but you will need a guide, so it might make sense to do this on a tour. Moreover, it can often be cloudy at sunrise.
- In contrary to the info on the Tikal website. You can NOT use your ticket anymore on two day when you enter after 15.00 hrs. The ticket is only valid on the day you enter the site.Written 8 April 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Rebecca M154 contributionsThis was an amazing experience in the middle of the jungle. Plenty of wildlife and trails. Friendly people. The ruins and viewpoints were breathtaking.Written 5 May 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Justin S2 contributionsI'll definitely go back and enjoy the amazing experience!!!
Regge was a great tour guide very professional and kind man who helped me had a wonderful experience...Written 10 April 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Rob CSan Jose, CA2Â 115 contributionsOne word: iconic. A fully restored funerary pyramid of king Jasaw Chan K'awil that flanks the eastern side of the Great Plaza. Great views of the monument can be had from the Northern Acropolis as well as from Temple II, it can also be viewed from the east plaza and the Palace. Its roof comb is visible from every major pyramid in the city as it rises to 154 feet, which's more than time and a half the height of El Castillo at Chichen Itza. Awesome.Written 19 April 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Rob CSan Jose, CA2Â 115 contributionsThis is Tikal's Taj Mahal, a temple built by a king to honor his beloved queen. At 138 feet it is the shortest of all the "numbered" pyramids yet still it is 40 feet taller than El Castillo of Chichen Itza. It's a massive looking three-tier pyramid that has been meticulously restored and can be climbed by a wooden staircase accessed behind the monument. If you're with a friend climb the pyramid and have your friend stand in the middle of the plaza and check the acoustics. You can talk to each other in a normal voice and hear each other perfectly. make sure to take look at the roof comb which is very ornate and some of the sculpture is still recognizable after 1400+ years.Written 19 April 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- w0rkinghardPershore, UK100 contributionsThis part of tikal appears to be less visited than the larger temples. Very atmospheric and quite a few monkeys in this area. In an hour and a half we only saw six people but probably 12 monkeys.Written 10 April 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- yz1991447 contributionswent in with some small change to the gate keeper. the museum is good and there were boards that explains the excavation. good complement with the books I read. kind of dark inside though.Written 1 November 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Cat L10 contributionsThe museum does not have a lot of materials, but the displays were very good. The museum was clean and well lit, and we enjoyed our visit. Disappointed that we could not take photos.Written 9 May 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- hanno a1 contributionVery knowlegable guide, super helpful and always friendly. Punctual pick up, did the tour even though i was the only customer.Written 26 April 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Brian BDraper, UT7 contributionsWe traveled down to Guatemala, from the US, with our 3 teenage daughters for Christmas break 2020. During our trip to Peten, Roxy took us on a tour of both the Yaxha and Tikal ruins. We did the sunset tour of Yaxha and an early morning tour two days later at Tikal. We had a wonderful experience with Roxy. She is so knowledgeable about the ruins and the Mayan civilization and culture. It was amazing to tour these special places with an actual archeologist who has spent her career working in this area. She was great with our daughters and was so wonderful in keeping them interested during both tours. She was awesome at finding wildlife that we would have never found on our own. This was my 3rd trip to Tikal, but the first guided tour that I have done. We are so glad we did both of these tours with Roxy as we learned so many interesting things during our time with Roxy. I would highly recommend a tour with Roxy. The best and easiest way to get in contact with Roxy is through WhatsApp. Her number can be found here on Tripadvisor.Written 5 January 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- LucindaW7 contributionsThe guides not only know how to keep our family safe, they know all about all our cameras. We got great photos from 8 different devices!Written 4 July 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- klemiOak Ridge, TN538 contributionsIf the Mayans interest, you then this is a place you must go. More impressive than I anticipated, and we had a great guide who helped explain what we were seeing. This is a huge site but so fortunate to finally get to experience Tikal.Written 15 March 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Rob CSan Jose, CA2Â 115 contributionsTikal's North Acropolis is a complex of 10 pyramids and multiple other structures, stelae, and altars that served as the necropolis of Tikal's kings for more than 1300 years that date as far back as the year 350 BC. The two most prominent temples on the Acropolis were temple 22 and temple 33 each rising nearly 110 feet above the Grand Plaza. Only the forme survives however as Temple 33 was dismantled by archaeologists in 1965. The Northern Acropolis features fully preserved stucco sculptures as well as several restored pyramids including Temple 22. The Acropolis can be accessed and is free to roam around.Written 19 April 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Rob CSan Jose, CA2Â 115 contributionsLocated between the Lost World Complex to the west and Temple V to the east is the substantial Plaza of the Seven Temples. This was once a very impressive plaza with a row of seven sizeable temple structures located next to each on one end and palaces on raised platforms facing it on the other side. It also featured an unusual triple ballcourt. Only some of the pyramids and palaces have been restored by the archeologists so it's a bit challenging to reconstruct them in your mind's eye. The plaza and its buildings would be considered major structures in most other cities and are worth a stop along your trek through Tikal.Written 20 April 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Rob CSan Jose, CA2Â 115 contributionsThe Central Acropolis is a palace and administrative complex located just south of the Great Plaza. It is not quite as spectacular as the temple pyramids but it is accessible and it's fascinating to wander through its many structures courtyards and chambers. The palace, like many of the major structures at Tikal, is located on a steep platform and therefore rises quite a bit over the level of the Great Plaza.Written 19 April 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tikal National Park
- The top attractions to visit in Tikal National Park are: See all attractions in Tikal National Park on Tripadvisor
- The best day trips from Tikal National Park according to Tripadvisor travellers are:
- Tikal Day Trip with Local Lunch from San Ignacio
- Tikal VIP Private Day Tour from Flores all-Inclusive
- Archeological focus Tikal SUNSET and Wildlife Spotting Tour (South and East)
- Tikal Private Day Tour Maya Adventure from Flores
- Private Tikal Mayan City Tour with Lunch
- The most popular things to do in Tikal National Park with children according to Tripadvisor travellers are:See all kid friendly things to do in Tikal National Park on Tripadvisor