Tikal Nat’l Park is located within the 6,000 square miles Maya Biosphere in the northern part of Petén, Guatemala. Located 63 Kms from Flores with paved road access.  Flores is the governing city of Petén the northern state or department of Guatemala. There is no Tikal town and no stores for shopping other than souvenirs.  

Tikal is believed to be the largest excavated site in all of the American Continent. Tikal Park’s entrance is located 16 km. before the parking lot and Visitor Center. One day entrance fee is Q150.00 quetzales. If arriving after 3 pm, tell the ticket salesman you are going to the park tomorrow (mañana) and your ticket will be stamped for the next day.

Also, see Tikal Travel Guide.

In the main area sometimes called Tikal Village, there is the parking lot, 3 hotels for lodging, a museum and visitor’s center, post office, and campground. Also there are the Park Administration Offices, souvenir handcraft shops, and three local eating places. A smaller but good museum is located 300 mts. near the Jaguar Inn Hotel; the generators provide limited electricity only a few hours a day.

TIKAL NATIONAL PARK is Open everyday from 6:00 am. - 6:00 pm. Tel. 502 Park Area has 125,000 Square Acres (222 Square Miles) 576 Square Kms.)

The Ruins area contains about 24 sq. kms. About 80% are still unexcavated. Only 30 per cent of the ruins within the park have been mapped. There are 220 square miles of jungle all around the ceremonial center.  The first restorations was done by University of Pennsylvania in (1956-1970) and took over 13 years to excavate and restore the first structures in Tikal. However, most of Tikal Park structures remains covered with jungle growth recognized only as large mound of rocks over grown by trees.  

 For more Tikal Info check http://www.famsi.org/research/tikal/index.html

Access to the ruins area is by foot only, all cars must remain at the parking lot, and handicapped people requiring assistance can get special permits at the park headquarters office.

Tikal Park was declared Tikal National Park by the Guatemalan Government in May of 1955 and a National Monument in 1970. It was the first National Park established in Central America.

Archaeologists tell us Tikal was the largest capitol of Maya Cities and at its height during its Classic period from 500AD and had a population of 50,000 to 100,000 persons. For reasons not yet clear Archaeologist believe that around 870AD, construction slowed and the city began to decline. It was completely deserted by the end of 900AD. Tikal has an estimated 3000 structures. The partially restored area consists of nine groups of courts and plazas. There are 5 large temples. One of the most impressive and tallest structures, Temple IV, is 229 ft. (70 mts. high. Tikal’s was a governing and religious center of the ruins and covers about 500 acres (200 hectares).

Since a Spanish governor rediscovered the ruins of this vast city in 1848. Archaeologists from all over the world have been excavating. Some structures are almost fully restored but the vast majority is high mounds with stones and lush growth of jungle trees and vegetation. Tikal Ruins are located in the middle of Tikal National Park in northern Guatemala and is truly a wildlife sanctuary covering more 200 square miles. Over 285 species of exotic birds, monkeys, jaguars, pumas, tapirs, small deer, and many, much more and rare wildlife endangered live there. Hundreds of orchid species and more than 30 hardwood species. Tikal a birdwatchers paradise is one of the best birding areas of Central America.

Tikal Visitors Center (open 6am to 6pm)….

More Tikal Info is found in the visitor’s center. The center is located just before entering the trails that lead to the ruins. At the entrance you will see a large model of the main ruins area showing the structures that once existed. The visitor’s center also houses one of two museums, which consists of carved stone monuments and many photos taken during the restoration in the 1960’s. Also there is a guide service and information desk, and a restaurant overlooking the jungle. Various souvenir shops are located just beside the restaurant

A smaller Museum housing some of Tikal’s artifacts is located several hundred meters away near the hotel area. A small fee is charged in addition to the park entrance fee.

Guide Service for Tikal National Park

Good guides with license cost normally $50 for 1 to 4 persons. $10 per person extra up to a $80-$100 maximum. Some ask $10 per person if only 10 persons or $200 for 20 persons. If you join a group you may pay as little as $8 in some cases.

If you are in route to Tikal and the mini bus also has a guide offering his service. Be sure to ask for his CARNET or License from “INGUAT” The Institute of Tourism Guatemala.  There is an information booth in the visitor’s center where the guide association offers guide service by only licensed guides. Make sure your guide is affluent in your language. The typical tour last 3 ½ to 4 hours. If you are interested in plants, birds and animal life make sure your guide is qualification for these activities. 

Best to book from your hotel or go to the guide booth in the Visitor's Center and get the guide in turn, some of the license guides take turns so all have work, but many of the most popular guides work privately with different hotels or tour companies.

If you do not pay a guide service be sure study the model of the ruins on display in the visitors center and take your map. Many trails are not clearly marked but there is very little danger of getting lost. 

 Getting to Tikal