Magnificent ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Tikal rising from the jungle are simply amazing and among the best reasons to visit Guatemala. The nearby picturesque colonial town of Flores built on top of an old Mayan capital offers charming and tranquil settings for holidays as well as many activities such as trekking or kayaking in nearby tropical forests and lakes. No wonder Tikal and Flores are together one of the most popular tourism destinations in Central America.
Historical marvel located in the province of Petén in the lowlands of Northern Guatemala, the ruins of Tikal are the largest and are also said to be the most impressive Mayan site. Located in the middle of a national park of the same name, both the archaeological site of Tikal and the national park around it are a World Heritage Site. The stunning views from tops of the pyramids in Tikal are alone a reason to come here. The lovely provincial capital Flores is situated just 30 kilometers / 18 miles away from Tikal on an island in the Lake Petén Itzá. Flores is connected to the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito on the shore of the lake by a causeway. The sparsely populated, jungle-covered province of El Petén around offers also plenty of other Mayan sites, outdoor activities and abundant wildlife.
The ancient city of Tikal was built during the 4th Century BC and used to be one of the main cultural and population centers of the Maya civilization. It dominated the Mayan region politically and economically during the Classic Mayan period between 200 and 900 AC. After that, the city got into decline and was gradually abandoned by the end of the 10th Century. Flores was originally a Mayan town called Tayasal or Noh Petén, built by the Itza Mayans in the 13th Century. It was one of the last places in Latin America to be conquered by Spaniards who only managed to destroy it in 1697.
The Tikal Museum houses fascinating old artefacts and stelae recovered from the excavations of the site, and The Museo Lítico in the visitor center has many stelae and carved stones as well as old photographs. Sightseeing tours to Tikal arrive daily from Flores. There is also a possibility to go on a jungle canopy tour in Tikal. As the archaeological site of Tikal lies in the middle of a protected lowland rainforest, there is also a rich wildlife to be seen on site, including the ubiquitous coatimundis, spider and howler monkeys, gray foxes, toucans, turkeys, parrots and so on. Birdwatching in Tikal is excellent. You should arrive to Tikal early in the morning in case you want to see the diverse wildlife at its best.
Flores is an excellent base for visiting Tikal as well as other places of interest around the Petén region, but the peaceful small town itself is also very picturesque and there are plenty of things to see and do in Flores. As a colonial, densely built town with narrow cobblestone streets, Flores hosts a historic church and a plaza, many charming hotels and restaurants, as well as a ceramics museum and a small zoo situated on nearby islands.
Historical marvel located in the province of Petén in the lowlands of Northern Guatemala, the ruins of Tikal are the largest and are also said to be the most impressive Mayan site. Located in the middle of a national park of the same name, both the archaeological site of Tikal and the national park around it are a World Heritage Site. The stunning views from tops of the pyramids in Tikal are alone a reason to come here. The lovely provincial capital Flores is situated just 30 kilometers / 18 miles away from Tikal on an island in the Lake Petén Itzá. Flores is connected to the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito on the shore of the lake by a causeway. The sparsely populated, jungle-covered province of El Petén around offers also plenty of other Mayan sites, outdoor activities and abundant wildlife.
The ancient city of Tikal was built during the 4th Century BC and used to be one of the main cultural and population centers of the Maya civilization. It dominated the Mayan region politically and economically during the Classic Mayan period between 200 and 900 AC. After that, the city got into decline and was gradually abandoned by the end of the 10th Century. Flores was originally a Mayan town called Tayasal or Noh Petén, built by the Itza Mayans in the 13th Century. It was one of the last places in Latin America to be conquered by Spaniards who only managed to destroy it in 1697.
Sights and activities in Tikal and Flores: from Mayan sites to trekking and wildlife
Tikal is a major historic and archaeological attraction in Guatemala filled with beautiful old buildings and structures, and many more are still to be excavated. There are six very large pyramids that are over 60 meters / 200 feet high with panoramic views over the forest canopy, tallest of which is the Temple IV. The other main sights in Tikal are the Great Plaza, the Acropolises and the Mundo Perdido (or Lost World) temple complex. There is a visitor center in Tikal with a restaurant, souvenir shops, restaurants and two museums.The Tikal Museum houses fascinating old artefacts and stelae recovered from the excavations of the site, and The Museo Lítico in the visitor center has many stelae and carved stones as well as old photographs. Sightseeing tours to Tikal arrive daily from Flores. There is also a possibility to go on a jungle canopy tour in Tikal. As the archaeological site of Tikal lies in the middle of a protected lowland rainforest, there is also a rich wildlife to be seen on site, including the ubiquitous coatimundis, spider and howler monkeys, gray foxes, toucans, turkeys, parrots and so on. Birdwatching in Tikal is excellent. You should arrive to Tikal early in the morning in case you want to see the diverse wildlife at its best.
Flores is an excellent base for visiting Tikal as well as other places of interest around the Petén region, but the peaceful small town itself is also very picturesque and there are plenty of things to see and do in Flores. As a colonial, densely built town with narrow cobblestone streets, Flores hosts a historic church and a plaza, many charming hotels and restaurants, as well as a ceramics museum and a small zoo situated on nearby islands.
Photo: David Dennis, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
There is also a popular cave near Flores called Ak’tun Kan that is filled with rock formations and old artifacts. There are several places outside Flores that offer adventure sports, horseback riding and jungle canopy tours, as well as several impressive Mayan sites to be visited. Flores is home to several tour operators that can arrange visits to many ancient Mayan cities in Petén region, including Holtún, El Mirador, Yaxhá, Nakum and Naranjo, as well as trekking around Flores in remote jungle areas.
Flores and Tikal travel information and practical tips
The climate in the Petén region of Guatemala is tropical and hot. There is a rainy season from May or June to September, during which there are occasional rains and many mosquitoes. The dry season in Petén lasts from October to April and has a bit cooler temperatures during the winter months.Traveling to Tikal and Flores can be done by air or by road. Flores is home to the second international airport in Guatemala, receiving flights to Flores from several close destinations such as Belize, Mexico City, Cancun and Guatemala City. You can also reach Flores and Tikal by bus or by a shuttle minivan from Central Guatemala or Belize.
Local transport in Flores is handled by taxis, tuk-tuks and motor boats across the lake. There are local buses from Santa Elena to Flores and regular minivan shuttles between Flores and Tikal along a well-maintained road, starting from Flores in the morning and returning in the afternoon. It is easy to get around in both Flores and Tikal by walking. Car rental in Flores is available in the airport. Mountain bikes are also available for rent.
Accommodation & services. You can find a wide variety of hotels and restaurants in Flores, and there are also a few hotels in Tikal and in smaller towns and villages around Flores. Flores has some modest nightlife opportunities as well. The entrance to Tikal is open from 6 AM to 6 PM.
Safety. Tikal and Flores are safer destinations than many bigger cities in Guatemala. However, remote areas in Tikal National Park and the twin towns outside Flores can still be dangerous, and armed robberies have occurred in the past. Avoid walking around at night and venturing into remote areas without a local guide.
hint See also these nearby destinations: San Ignacio (Cayo)
