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Tikal Travel Guide

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Stealla from Tikal


Jaguar Dancer

TIKAL NATIONAL PARK  (PARQUE NACIONAL DE TIKAL)

Located in Central America in Northern Guatemala area of Peten, 60 Kms. by paved road from the area's governing city of Flores, Peten. There is no Tikal village or town.

The park entrance is located 16 km. before the parking lot and Visitors Center. Tikal Park has an  entrance fee  of Q150.00 or about $20.00 at this posting. Best to pay in Quetzales to get best exchange rates. No power lines go to tikal park. There are only a 3-4  hours of generator electicity in the early night hours for the services and accommodations offered there. In some high season  days the generator runs.

In the main area, there is the parking lot, 3 hotels for lodging, 2 museums, the visitor’s
center, post office, campground, the Park Administration Offices, souvenir handcraft shops,
and two local eating places.

TIKAL NATIONAL PARK is Open everyday from 6:00 am. to 6:00pm.
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 has been mapped.

Access to Tikal 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 was declared a 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 .

Tikal National Park is located within the 6,000 square mile Maya Biosphere in the
northern part of Peten, Guatemala. 

Archaeologists tell us Tikal was the largest capital 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 1V, is 229 ft. (70 mts. high.
This governing and religious center of the ruins covers about 500 acres (200 hectares).

Since a Spanish governor rediscovered 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)….

The visitor’s 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 visitors 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 Tikals artifacts is located several hundred meters away near
 the hotel area. A small fee is charged in addition to the park entrance fee.

Tikal National Park Accommodations- Lodging  in Tikal Park

Listed are accommodations in Tikal National Park, El Remate and Flores and near by areas.

There are only three hotels for lodging within the Park boundaries. All are near the parking lot and
 Visitors Center. None have 24 hr electricity at the on this date in January 2007.

The Jaguar Inn (9 bubgalows)

Tikal Inn 917 rooms

(Jungle Lodge (44 rooms.) 

<>All are about 20 minute walk from the ruins main plaza.There is no Tikal village or town. Best to make your reservations well in advance.

Other area lodging and accommodatrions

The village of El Remate located 32 Km before arriving to Tikal ruins offers a good option for
lodging and is a good base for your stay in the Peten area. Being the closes acomodations befere entering Tikal National Park, El Remate has several good hotels and numerous smaller places to stay plus several places for camping. A good option to the often crowded area of Flores or the expensive hotels in the Tikal Park. Located on the Lake Peten Itza, El Remate offers good Swimming, Birding, Horseback Riding, Boat trips etc… Located just 2 kms from El Remate is the Biotopo Park Cerro Cahui. This park is great for Jungle Walks, Hiking, Bird watching and has very good look out points over Lake Petén Itza.

The village has numerous open air restaurants and a few hotels with private bath. Most acomodation in Remate are family owned and have share baths. There are about 14 or more different places to stay in El Remate. A nice room will cost from $25-$70 double and camping is available from $2-$6 per person. When making reservations, be sure to ask and understand clearly what you are getting, since here, as in other areas of Latin America, a place to stay may be called a hotel or bungalow, and may actually be a thatch roof with makeshift beds, with no windows or doors. Even a nice camp site may be called a hotel, with only half-walls, and a roof. Just make sure you ask before you reserve. Although there is 24hr. electricity now, many of these restaurants continue their traditional  candle lighting settings. There are now several places to stay with internet services and accepts credit cards. (note most have extra cost to use credit cards in El Remate.
 La Casa De Don David’s hotel and restaurant does not charge extra and accepts MC & Visa (paypal thru internet) and has lots of Guatemala information including information for Lodging in Antigua and Belize.
 Other places in the area to stay in or with in 12 kms of El Remate are:
Hotel Gringo Perdido
Hotel Camino Real
La Lancha Village
 
 See info about El Remate.
 

 
  

Links to more information on TIKAL And MAYA

TIKAL DIGITAL ACCESS PROJECT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA ...
tikalinformation.com

 
<> YAXHA Maya site just 75 Km. (46 mi.) from Tikal. (2005 SURVIVOR GUATEMALA filming site.)

The CBS program Survivor
Guatemala is now being filmed in YAXHA Maya site just 42 Km. (30 mi.) from Hotel La Casa De Don David in  El Remate.   Yaxha is one of the more important Maya sites where many excavations, studies and restoration have been ongoing for many years. Since early May some areas of Yaxha have been closed to the public. All areas of Yaxha have been closed to visitors since June 6 and will not be not opened until after August 10. The filming area is protected with high security and only authorized personal can enter the area.

Yaxha is the third most Maya Ruins site many tourists after their visit to Tikal National Park. Ciebal is the second most visited Maya site after Tikal.

Survivor Guatemala is expected to increase tourism and hopefully with a tourism economy this fast disappearing Rainforest along with the many Maya  sites will be saved. Some hotels not far from Yaxha will soon offer tours to visit the ruins and see the areas Survivor Guatemala was filmed.

 

Transportation to and from Tikal National Park or Flores
from Guatemal City, Flores, Peten, Belize  & Mexico

Arriving from/to Belize

By land
Rental Cars....... If traveling from Belize, Crystal Auto Rental is the best rental company who let its vehicles cross the border from Belize into Guatemala. Crystal Auto Rental  LUCIO L. LANDERO   
Tel:  011-501-223-1600 Fax: 011-501-223-1900 E-mail: reservations@crystal-belize.com
Web Page: www.crystal-belize.com

When exiting by land expect to pay Belize exit tax of $15 exit plus $3.75 conservation tax. If returning to Belize within 30 days, you should keep the receipts and you will get credit against the second exit tax.
When entering or exiting by land in
Guatemala the charges are none or minimal however to enter with a car you pay car permit (about Q50 or Q60)..Exit by sea $10 If you have a rented car and are entering Guatemala after passing immigration, get the car papers (30 to 50 Quetzales) and after exiting the border station drive across the bridge and you may or may not pay for crossing. The charges vary a lot . Most people pay Q5 or Q10 but some have $10. You can ask for factura (receipt) and look to see if its correct.

By Bus from Belize

You can take the 9:30 am & 3:00 pm ( Please check hours) Linea Dorada (Buy tickets on the 
right as you enter) or the San Juan buses from the Marine terminal in downtown Belize City and arrive to the hotel entrance.(4hrs) ( if arriving in the Belize City airport you can take taxi from the airport, to the marine terminal downtown.,, which is more than 5 miles ) There are surely local buses but I don't know the hours. For the bus to El Remate buy your ticket at the Marine Terminal and make clear to the driver you have reservations and are going to Hotel La Casa De Don David in El Remate. 

These buses go to Belize passing the hotel every morning about  6 AM and 8 AM. Buy your tickets  at La Casa De Don David reception. Private small car taxi for two persons to or from Belize City Int’l airport to our place is an option instead of flying. ( we can arrange and it’s a 4 hr ride).

By Air from Belize

If you fly from Belize…Tropic Air (to and from Belize): http://www.tropicair.com

Leave from Flores Airport at 9:30 am and 4:00 pm.  ( 45min) expect to pay the Belize airport exit tax $35 plus conservation tax of $3.75 and when leaving Guatemala expect to pay the $30 Guatemala Intl. exit tax. Also check with Mayan Island Air.   KEEP your reciepts for returning and exiting Belize at a later date.

Arriving from/to San Ignacio Belize:
from San Ignacio to Flores or el Remate. Most people arrive by mini bus or local bus to the Ixlu cruce (cross roads).You can take the 9 mile ride to the border from San Ignacio by taxi or local bus. Cross the border and go by local bus or take a mini bus.  Take a mini bus  from the border Melchor, Guatemala. If you are coming from Belize. Just tell the driver you are going to Hotel La Casa De Don David in El Remate.  If you take a local bus you will arrive at the cross road in Ixlu and need to get another bus or taxi for the 3 km ride to our hotel.

Arriving From/ to Coban

The minibus shuttle leaves everyday from Hotel Casa D Acuña in Coban, 4a Calle 3-31, Zona 2….Tel 951 0484. Leaves everyday at 7am via Sayaxche for Flores and La Casa de Don David, El Remate.  (4-5 hrs)  and returns to Coban leaving La Casa De Don David at 1pm. Purchase tickets in Hotel Casa D Acuña in Coban and La Casa de Don David, El Remate. There are also other second class local buses and shuttles.

Arriving From/ to Chetumal

These buses leave modern bus station from the Chetumal, Mex. at the  Terminal de Autobuses  at 6:00 AM everyday
San Juan & Linea Dorada  http://www.tikalmayanworld.com   Buy you ticket in Chetumal Bus Station (Terminal de Autobuses)  and buy your ticket on Linea Dorada  or San Juan. These bus will drop you at the hotel entrance. The trip is about 7-8 hrs. These buses may or may not pass Belize City. In Belize expect most things to be considerable more expensive than in Guatemala or much of Mexico. These buses go to Chetumal passing the hotel every morning about 6: 00 am

Most tourist pay nothing to enter Belize. US dollars is OK in Belize and is accepted everywhere, usually the same rate everywhere (1US dollar = 2 BH dollars).. BECAREFUL ...many Americans pay double on their first visit. If the sales talk don't say US (meaning US dollars) when telling you the price, it is Belize (BH) dollars they are talking about.

Arriving From/ to Palenque Mexico… Traveling to Flores, there is collective transportation daily (in the early morning hours), check with travel agencies once you are in Palenque for what’s available. 

In Palenque, Mex Buy your tickets Viajes Misolja, Kukulcan, kijchan Balú or other agency, on the main street in Palenque. The service to Flores is not so good and varies from time to time. We get complaints regular on slow or varied service. The trip is about 8 hrs. by mini bus--boat--minibus. You'll arrive to Santa Elena (Flores) around 4 or 5 pm (normally to the entrance of the San Juan Hotel of the same Agency). There you are likely to be offered and almost pressured to buy some sort of service or tickets to Belize or Tikal or to El Remate.

Tourist often report lots of waiting and individuals selling tickets in this area. Remember nothing is free even when sold as such. Many taxi & mini bus drivers get a commission from the hotel they convince you to stay in.

At La Casa De Don David, We offer the most reliable and economical service available to all of the area. and we are not associated with any of the street or hotel mini bus salesman or taxi driver sales.

The prices and services can vary a lot and if you've paid in advance its almost impossible to get any refund if your service isn't fulfilled.   If there several persons they will come collectivo to El Remate Or just walk 3 blocks to the main road and get crowded shuttle to el Remate.

These collective buses go to Palenque early every morning from Flores-Santa Elena, Peten, Guatemala. Again the service is such that we we can only sell the with you understanding these conditions. If you are willing to accept the not always dependable service we sell the tickets from El Remate to Palenque.

Any service or ticket purchased at La Casa De Don David is garranteed and if not completed we will give your money back if the fault is with the service offered.


if you need more information about getting there please send us e-mail info@lacasadedondavid.com

 

For travel between Flores and Guatemala City to Tikal area.
 Bus Lines
 --
Linea Dorada & Mundo Maya  http://www.tikalmayanworld.com/
  --ADN bus company: http://www.adnautobusesdelnorte.com/
  --Fuente del Norte bus


Some of the Airlines serving Guatemala, Flores, Belize, Cancun Mexico


Belize to Tikal (Flores)
http://www.tropicair.com also Mayan Island Air  www.mayaairways.com 
Cancun to Tikal (Flores) try Interair or Taca 
http://www.grupotaca.com/
Guatemala City to Tikal (Flores)
http://www.grupotaca.com/  or www.tag.com.gt 


Guatemala, Belize & Tikal Guide Books
Fodor Travel Guide
www.fodors.com
Lonely Plante guide
www.lonelyplanet.com
Hunter Guide
www.hunterpublishing.com
Letsgo guide
www.letsgo.com

Rough Guide book
www.roughguides.com
Frommers guide bookwww.frommers.com
There are at list a dozen other guides in various languages.


Tikal Park or officially Tikal National Park ruins in Guatemala are probably the best restored examples of classical Mayan style.  Guatemala has the largest Maya population of any country, and in terms of numbers, they are the dominant ethnic group. There are at least 15 distinct Mayan groups in the country, mostly living in the highlands. After years of civil unrest and violence, in December of 1996 the leaders in signed a pact with the Guatemalan government guaranteeing land and  political rights, and freedom to practice their traditional religion. Mayan people produce beautiful textiles, pottery and baskets. Also see: www.lacasadedondavid.com/themaya.html

The most well known of ancient Maya cities, Tikal ruins are located in the middle of the Tikal National Park. Also Tikal park is a great wildlife preserve covering 25 square miles and the first such park in Central America. This original Mayan city has been reclaimed by the jungle and even today it is with only a good deal of diligence that the restored ruins are not overgrown with trees and jungle vegetation.  The grounds are lush with tropical  plants and wildlife. Trees include zapotes, from which chicle, a base for chewing gum is derived, Spanish cedar, ceiba, a tree sacred to the Maya, mahogany and over 25 other precious hard woods. There are troops of spider and howler monkeys, 285 species of birds, 209 of which are resident species: including hawks, toucans, hummingbirds, parrots, king vultures, and ocilated turkeys. Outside of the ruins area live jaguar, puma, ocelot, pecarry, small deer, and many other animals, many rare and endangered.

Tikal was one of the principal cities of the Maya civilization. At least 10,000 people lived within the mapped portion of the city, which encompasses six square miles and more than 50,000 people in the surrounding areas. The maps reveals over 3000  separate structures including temples, palaces, shrines, ceremonial platforms, residences, ball courts, terraces, causeways, and plazas, most interconnected with aqueducts and cisterns for holding water. In the main ceremonial precincts there are 200 stone monuments, known as stele. Stelae were elaborately carved with glyphs, a form of writing, and other images that tell stories about the current and past rulers of that time.  Come visit our bed and breakfast, stay in our guest house or bungalows and see what a great vacation can be. The Tikal Ruins are the most spectacular of the Ruta Maya and the entrance to Tikal National Park is only 15 minutes from the hotel.  A bus stops at the HOTEL entrance at 5:30 am and it will take you to the park entrance by 6:00 am (opening time) to catch the early morning mist rising from the pyramids. Sunrise is a special experience from the top of one of the temples. Tikal is the most magnificent and the largest set of partial restored ruins in Guatemala. Tikal is the most important on the Ruta Maya and clearly the most significant for seeing jungle and wildlife.

Tikal ruins were officially discovered in 1848 and minor excavations commenced in 1877.  Restoration began in the 1950s, and today, extensive excavations make it possible for guests to imagine what it was like back during its zenith, 550AD to 900AD. The park covers 25 square miles and most of it includes ruins with over 10,000 estimated structures. Less than a dozen or so have been reconstructed or excavated to any marked degree.  Plan on just hitting the high spots if you are only there for the day. You could easily spend two days to a week or more and not see every ruin that has been escavated.  Plan to walk a good deal and try to climb at least one or more of the temples. The view from the top is great. more information at www.tikalinformation.com

Birding and wild life in the area is great. It is a  bird watching paradise. Very often you see monkeys, toucans, vultures, hawks, owls, coutimundis and others on your walks through the jungle trails. The tranquil feeling of seeing the jungle from the top of temple #4 at 212 feet up gives great satisfaction and reminds one of the importance of protecting the rainforest forever, as well as getting some clue as to why they were built in the first place. In some of the dwellings there is also a sense of airconditioning as the structure some how seems to capture or creates natural breezes that really help offset the heat and high humidity. On certain temples you can see the temples of other major ruins towering from the giant trees of the rainforest. Your travel to Tikal will be one of the most impressive parts of of your visits to Latinamerica. see bird list
 


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