Tikal was a Maya city of great power and size, the largest of Maya cities during the "Classic Era" over 1000 years ago. Many beautiful buildings have been uncovered and many more wait to be discovered. Amongst the many Maya sites in Central America, Tikal is perhaps the most breathtaking because of the scattered impressive buildings which have been restored in an area with many more ruined buildings still enveloped by the jungle. The sight of the temples poking through the canopy is quite awesome. You can climb to the top of a few of the temples and get panoramic views from above the tree tops.
Tikal dates back as far as 400 BC, and grew into one of the largest and most powerful of the Mayan cities during the Classic Period (AD 200-900). It often clashed with other cities in the region, and was eventually defeated by Caracol in 562 AD. King Ah Cacau returned Tikal to its former glory about a century later, and it remained somewhat prosperous until the general decline of Mayan civilization set in around AD 900.
Tikal was eventually abandoned completely, consumed by the jungle, and pretty much fell off the map. Stories of its existence started to surface in the 17th & 18th centuries, but it wasn't until the mid-1800's that expeditions were hatched to explore and map it. After a hundred years of roughing it overland by horse and foot to reach the site, a small airstrip was built in the mid-fifties. The University of Pennsylvania oversaw major excavation work at Tikal during the 1960's, and the government of Guatemala began the work you still see being done in the late 1970's.
Lots of very tall trees provide shade along the wide trails as you trek from one ruin to the next. With the exception of Temple IV the elevations are small. Very steep wooden staircases lead up to the temples that are open to the public. Only minimal disabled access is provided.
If you go early enough in the morning (or better still, stay at one of the hotels in the park), it's possible to see and hear the monkeys. '''Spider monkeys''' sleep together in large groups, but during the day they disperse. It's easiest to see them when they've woken up and are beginning to move around. '''Howler monkeys''' are more often heard than seen. '''Coatimundis''',a racoon-like mammal and brightly colored wild "ocellated" turkeys, are everywhere. '''Toucans''' and other exotic birds contribute to the ruins' reputation for wonderful bird watching. '''Jaguars''' are rare but have been spotted on the more remote trails.
It's sunny, hot and humid in winter so dress lightly and bring water since you will be sweating climbing up the many steep steps of the monuments which are spread out. The trails are also muddy in a few places but there is plenty of shade under the canopy of trees. Winter nights can be cool.
The park's main gate opens at 6:00am, and officially closes at 6:00pm. Buses and minibuses come in from all surrounding areas on a well maintained road.
The San Juan Travel Agency has a virtual monopoly on the minibuses that will pick you up from your hotel in Flores in the morning on the hour and costs Q60 roundtrip or 25 one way leaving Tikal hourly from 6am-5pm.
Regular 20Q second class buses leave the the Santa Elena bus station to Tikal at 6, 6:30, 7, 8:30, 10, 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM, arriving two hours later. Later ones leaving at 1 and 3 PM continue onward to Uaxactun.
Flores is the nearest gateway city and airport.
Tickets purchased after 3:30pm are also valid the next day. If it's possible to arrange it so that you arrive just after 3:30pm, this is the best way to experience Tikal as you can see it in the late afternoon and again the following morning. Also if you are a citizen you can get into Tikal for free on sundays. This not only gives you two different times of day (and thus two different experiences) but also two chances to have good weather for photography.
You will also see a few black monkeys jumping high up among the trees.
There are a few nice Internet terminals in the Tikal Inn restaurant but they charge a hefty US$1 for 5 minutes.
Note that there is no ATM in the Visitor Center nor at the hotels.
The Jaguar Inn has great food, it is cheaper than the visitors centre and a little more expensive than Tikal Comedor but the meals are of high quality. That being said don_Lt buy bus tickets there, they charge Q500 for a ticket to Uaxactun whereas if you buy it from the ticket booth they charge Q25 ($3.50 US) for park entry and Q15 ($2 US) for the bus.
Many people prefer to stay in the park and wake up with the jungle to the sounds of birds and nature rather than the rickshaws of Flores, and staying here is the only way to be in the park for sunrise. Unfortunately the park options are not the cheapest, and demand often exceeds supply. Many stay in Flores and take an early shuttle bus to the park. There are also several cheap lodges lakeside in El Remate, where your hotel can arrange a shuttle pick up for you.
Three hotels located next to the park entrance provide decent but basic accommodation. All three cater to Western travellers and their amenities and prices reflect this. For those on a shoestring, try asking if you can rent a hammock, or just a spot to hang your own, under a palapa roof.
If you need your bags kept securely there is an additional Q5 ($0.80 US) fee. There are alot of insects that bite, mosquitos aren_Lt that bad during the dryer months but there are other nasty insects about. Keep the fly wire screen on your tent zipped tight and get in and out of your tent as quickly as possible. A can of bug spray would be very helpful. There are a lot of bees on the lawn in the camp area so wear something on your feet.
The park is reasonably safe, but robberies (and worse) have happened in the not to distant past, and you should keep aware of your surroundings. Definitely best to travel in groups along some of the more remote trails, especially to Templo VI.