Last Updated on: 21st January 2025, 12:31 pm
The Mayan civilization was home to many mighty cities, but few were quite as influential as Tikal. Not only was Tikal a political and cultural powerhouse for centuries, but its iconic towering pyramids remain some of the most impressive structures of the ancient Americas. In this Tikal guide, we’ll be covering all the areas that visitors can possibly see at this massive archaeological site.
Given how large Tikal National Park is, there are numerous ways to go about visiting. Many people visit as part of a guided tour, though Tikal is also easy to explore independently – as long as you properly prepare, that is.
This article is focused on Tikal’s history and what you can expect to find in each area. And while we’ll cover some basics on transport and accommodation below, be sure to read our accompanying Tikal Planning Guide to learn everything you need to know about planning your trip.

If you do choose to travel independently, the following guide is ordered from most essential area to least. Note that if you’re using the shuttle system from Flores, you’ll only have about five or six hours to explore the park.
While this would be more than enough for most archaeological sites around the world, it’s still not enough to see 100% of Tikal. If that’s your goal, consider either staying within the park or visiting Tikal over the course of two days. Again, see our dedicated planning guide for more.
Tikal: A Brief History
The area around Tikal was settled from as early as 600 BC, though most of what we see today was constructed sometime between 250-900 AD.
Fascinatingly, in the Early Classic Period (100–600 AD), Tikal had close trade and diplomatic relations with Teotihuacan, situated north of modern-day Mexico City. Today, the journey between the two cities would be about 20 hours by car, though ancient Mesoamerica even lacked horses.
Though relations began amicably, Teotihuacan would invade and depose of Tikal’s king in 378 AD. A new king named Nuun Yax Ayiin I (r. 379-404 AD) would be installed, and he was actually the son of Teotihuacan’s ruler. Relations between the two cities would then continue on as before.
Later in the 5th century, Tikal’s rulers would install a new dynasty at Copán (modern-day Honduras), while they’d also become involved in the affairs of many nearby city-states.
While Teotihuacan fell around the 8th century AD, Tikal would continue to flourish. And archaeologists consider its prime to have been between around 600-900 during the Late Classic Period.
Notably, however, despite its dominance throughout much of the Classic Period, Tikal underwent a ‘period of silence’ between 562 and 692, during which construction was entirely halted. This happened following a devastating defeat at the hands of rival city Caracol (modern-day Belize). At the time, Caracol was aligned with another one of Tikal’s great rivals, Calakmul (present-day Mexico).
Tikal would eventually reassert itself militarily and begin building new structures. Nevertheless, Tikal would later experience a sudden decline from the 10th century before the city was entirely abandoned.
In modern times, explorations of the site wouldn’t happen until the 19th century, with major excavations beginning the following century. Tikal is now one of the most studied sites in the Mayan world, and for good reason. Despite thousands of Mayan sites having been discovered, Tikal’s architectural style remains completely unique, while it’s also the largest Mayan architectural site by far.
The Great Plaza Area
While, as we’ll cover below, Tikal is home to many different areas that are well worth visiting, no place represents Tikal better than the Great Plaza. And the Great Plaza itself is home to numerous different sections, none of which should be missed.
The North Acropolis
The northern end of the plaza is home to the North Acropolis. It features numerous pyramid temples spread across a massive multi-tiered platform, the base of which measures out to 100×80 m.
Construction on the North Acropolis began as early as 350 BC and it was continually expanded and built over until at least the 8th century AD.



The acropolis actually functioned as a funerary complex for Tikal’s elite, and many notable rulers of Tikal were found entombed within.
This is also one of the best places to enjoy views of the Great Plaza and its towering pyramids.

As you walk along it, you’ll encounter no less than sixteen structures in addition to numerous stelae.
When exploring the North Acropolis, don’t miss Structure 33 which contains some well-preserved stucco masks. You could also spend quite a while examining the various stelae, of which there are no less than 43.







Pyramid II
Tikal is best known for its towering narrow pyramids with tall roof combs, six of which were built in total. They largely served as mortuary temples, so it’s fitting that two such pyramids stand next to the funerary complex of the North Acropolis.

Pyramid II stands at 42 m high and was erected by the ruler Jasaw Chan K’awill (r. 682 – 734) in dedication to his deceased wife. But it was ultimately completed by his son.

At the time of writing, Pyramid II is one of only two of Tikal’s six tall pyramid temples that can be climbed. Rather than use the central staircase, visitors climb up via a modern wooden staircase constructed along its side.
The temple at the top of the pyramid is known as the Temple of the Masks. And once at the main viewing platform, you can enjoy a close-up view of the carved masks below the roof comb.


Temple I
It’s also from the top of Temple II that you can enjoy the best views of the plaza’s other monumental structure, Temple I. This pyramid is 45 m high and is topped by the Temple of the Jaguar.
Temple I served as the mortuary temple for Jasaw Chan K’awiil I, the same king who commissioned Temple II. Built in the middle of the 8th century, the king’s tomb was discovered within containing various carved objects and carved bones.

The Central Acropolis
On the south side of the Great Plaza is the Central Acropolis, one of the most densely packed areas of Tikal. It largely served as a royal palace for Tikal’s most important elite, and there are seemingly countless structures to explore here.
Much like the North Acropolis across the plaza, this area was established as early as 350 BC and would remain in use for centuries. Most structures here that we see today were built sometime between 600-900 AD.



One of the most important buildings here is the Maler Palace, built around 800 AD. It was named after Austrian archaeologist Teobert Maler, who camped here during excavations in the early 20th century.

The residential complex was built atop natural bedrock that was leveled and flattened. Its elevation provides more excellent views of the Great Plaza and its two pyramids.

Just when you think you’ve seen most of it, turning a corner reveals dozens of additional structures. The area has been thoroughly (though not completely) excavated, and archaeologists have been able to identify which kings lived in which specific buildings.




Carefully examining everything in detail could take up a large chunk of your day, though those visiting Tikal as part of a tour may have to quickly pass through.
If you’ve entered the Acropolis from the Great Plaza, you can exit via a staircase to the east where you’ll find even more notable landmarks.


The Ball Court
In between the Central Acropolis and Pyramid I is a ball court. Pretty much every settlement in the Mayan world – and Mesoamerica as a whole – had one, or in many cases, multiple.

The Teotihuacano Building
Further east still is an especially remarkable structure for historic reasons. This building uses the talud-tableto style that originated at Teotihuacan, while it also features numerous depictions of Tlaloc – one of the prominent deities worshipped in that Central Mexican city.

As such, archaeologists have dubbed it the ‘Embassy,’ because it likely served as a place to welcome diplomats from Teotihuacan.
As mentioned in the history section above, Tikal once had close trade and diplomatic relations with Teotihuacan, which even once deposed Tikal’s ruler and installed a king of their choosing.
Temple III
Temple III is not technically part of the Great Plaza complex, but it isn’t too far away, either. Located a few minutes west, you’ll soon see the top of the temple peaking through the trees.

At 55 m high, it’s Tikal’s third-tallest pyramid, though it receives relatively little attention because it remains mostly unexcavated and inaccessible. The last of the major pyramids built at Tikal, it was constructed in 810.
Pyramid of The Lost World Area
Arguably the next most significant (and visually appealing) section of Tikal after the Great Plaza is the area around the ‘Pyramid of The Lost World.’ With roots going as far back as 500 BC, it’s one of Tikal’s oldest areas.
While centered around said Pyramid of the Lost World, the complex is home to 38 structures spread out across 60,000 square meters.



Aside from main pyramid, one of the most remarkable structures here is the so-called Talud-Tablero Temple. The name is a reference to the alternating sloping (talud) and straight (tablero) walls which was popularized by Teotihuacan.
While, as mentioned above, Teotihuacan possibly had an embassy right near the Great Plaza, various merchants and diplomats from the Central Mexican city probably based themselves in this area.

The Pyramid of the Lost World appears very different from the six main pyramid temples for which Tikal is mainly known. One of the earliest structures at Tikal, it was built sometime between 250 BC-150 AD.
Standing at 30 m high, it was originally built as an astronomical observatory.



While few people will get the chance to observe the stars from here, the Pyramid of the Lost World can indeed be climbed. Given how it doesn’t appear nearly as imposing as the other pyramids, the climb up is surprisingly tiring!
But the view is one of the best you’ll find at Tikal, and many visitors even prefer it over the more famous view from Temple IV (more below).

Walking around the area, you’ll come across even more pyramidal structures like the 7th-century Structure 5D-87. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot some wildlife.

Temple IV
Temple IV is located at the westernmost end of the archaeological site. And it’s also noteworthy for being the tallest structure in Tikal, standing at a staggering 70 m. This makes it one of the tallest pyramids of the Mayan world and in Mesoamerica as a whole.
For reference, only the Mayan pyramids of La Danta at El Mirador (72 m) and Toniná (74 m) are taller. Temple IV is also just slightly shorter than Teotihuacan’s Pyramid of the Sun (71 m).


Temple IV was dedicated in 741 AD by king Yik’in Chan K’awiil, and the structure also likely served as his mortuary temple. The temple at the top, meanwhile, is known as the Temple of the Two-Headed Serpent.

Temple IV is climbable, and you can see views of Tikal’s other pyramids far off in the distance. This viewpoint is also well-known amongst Star Wars fans, as the scene briefly appears in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.
And for those interested in doing a Tikal Sunrise Tour, this is where visitors gather early in the morning to watch it.


Group G (Palace of the Grooves)
All the locations mentioned above in this Tikal guide should be considered ‘can’t miss,’ and will likely be included in your tour of the ruins if you go with a guide. What follows is a list of the remaining areas of Tikal National Park, again ordered from most to least essential.
We’ll start with Group G, also known as the Palace of the Grooves, named after the grooved vertical panels on many of the buildings.



If you enjoyed the Central Acropolis near the Great Plaza, you’ll also enjoy Group G. And there’s a good chance you’ll have it all to yourself, especially if you visit in the morning.


The complex can only be accessed via a narrow doorway or tunnel, indicating the high level of security at the compound. The rooms here were mostly built from 600-900 AD, and peaking in many of them, you’ll observe numerous beds.

Temple V
Constructed around 700 AD, Temple V serves as a mortuary temple like the others, though the king who commissioned it remains a mystery. It stands at 52 high and was built atop the South Acropolis.
Most of the South Acropolis remains unexcavated, and largely appears as an overgrown mound.


Speaking of excavations, much of Temple V remains under excavations and can therefore not be climbed. While hard to see from the ground, its roof comb is decorated with various masks, some of which represent the Mayan rain god, Chaak.

Plaza of The Seven Temples
Located just east of the Pyramid of the Lost World complex, the Plaza of the Seven Temple is, as the name suggests, home to seven small temples. But the area also contains three ball courts and some palaces.


The plaza was constructed sometime between 600-900 AD during the Late Classic Period.
While most of the structures can only be viewed from below, you should be able to find a way up to one of the palaces, from which you can enjoy great views of the entire plaza.



Unfortunately, the lighting is far from ideal in the morning. So if you do plan on setting some time aside for the Plaza of the Seven Temples, it would be better to come in the afternoon.

Group Q
Also known as the Twin Pyramid Complex, Group Q was constructed between 700-800 AD, and it was built to commemorate the end of a 20-year katun cycle of the Mayan calendar.


Interestingly, one of the pyramids here is remarkable due to being only half excavated. This allows visitors to imagine what may lie under many of the unexcavated mounds throughout the site (such as Group Q’s other main pyramid).

The complex also contains two buildings that were primarily designed to hold important stelae. And at the edge of the complex, you’ll also find numerous toppled-over stelae in the jungle.


Group H (The North Group)
Group H is one of the most remote sections of Tikal. Also known as the North Group, it’s situated at the far northeastern end of the site. It takes about fifteen minutes on foot one-way to reach the area from the Great Plaza.
Along the way, you’ll encounter a fascinating stucco carving that depicts a captive in front of a king of Tikal. Now being protected under a thatched roof, the massive piece measures to 4×6 m.


Finally arriving at this distant corner of the park, you’ll discover a surprising amount of development. Group H consists of multiple pyramidal structures built across different tiers. Elsewhere around the area, meanwhile, are numerous stelae.



While one of the least essential places in this guide to Tikal, ongoing excavations may reveal more structures in the future. And coming here is a sure way to escape the crowds.
Temple VI
Temple VI is quite a detour regardless of where you’re coming from. Located at the far southeast end of the site, it’s about 20 minutes on foot from the site entrance/exit, or about 15 minutes from Group G.


The structure is also known as the Temple of the Inscriptions due to reliefs found on its north and south sides that detail the history of Tikal.
Built sometime between 730 and 800 AD, Temple VI remains under excavation, and I happened to see a team digging in front of the pyramid at the time of my visit.



Planning Your Visit to Tikal
In our dedicated Tikal Planning Guide, we’ll be going into specific details about:
- The best time of day to arrive
- The process of purchasing tickets
- What to bring
- How much time you really need
- Where to find food at the site
- How to explore the massive site without getting lost
- The pros and cons of going with a guide
- How many nights to book in the region
- And lots more
Additional Info
As mentioned above, we’ll be going into a lot more detail about this in our dedicated Tikal Planning Guide. But in summary, the only way to reach the ruins from the nearby towns of Flores or El Remate is with a tour or tourist shuttle.
In contrast to what some online sources say, everyone I spoke with in Flores said that no public transport to Tikal exists – at least not according to a schedule that would allow you to get there and back on the same day.
Conveniently, guided tours can easily be booked online, while both tours and private transport can be booked on the ground as well. At the time of writing, a guided tour goes as low as $25 while transport alone goes for around 100Q (about $13 USD).
You’ll have various departure times to choose from, though inconveniently, your return time will be fixed depending on when you depart. While schedules vary slightly from company to company, you won’t have any more than five or six hours at the site.
Note that the prices listed above do not include entry fees for Tikal National Park. For foreigners, you’ll have to pay about $20 USD and tickets are only valid for one day. While you can purchase tickets at the entrance gate, it’s easiest to purchase them online at this link.
Also note that Tikal sunrise tours require an extra fee since you are technically visiting outside of official opening hours (6:00-18:00 daily).
Again, learn more about all of this in our dedicated planning guide.
It’s possible to stay at Tikal National Park itself. And doing so would allow you to visit the entire site in a single long day. To do so, however, you’d likely need two nights in the park, while figuring out transport there and back could be a challenge.
There are several different options within the park, all of which are considerably pricier than staying in Flores or El Remate. They include Hotel Jaguar Inn Tikal, Hotel Tikal Inn, Hotel Jungle Lodge Tikal, and Jungle Lodge Tikal Hostal.
Most visitors to Tikal base themselves in Flores, which is the name of the island in the middle of Lago Petén Itzá.
Flores is both an island and a town, and everything within it is reachable on foot. Furthermore, you can also easily walk to the mainland via a causeway, with the journey taking about fifteen minutes on foot.
Right at the other end of the causeway is a shopping mall where you can buy a local SIM card and go grocery shopping. The store there actually has much better prices than the various corner stores around Flores.
The city on the mainland is called Santa Elena, which would also be a good place to stay. But you’ll want to calculate the precise walking distance between your accommodation and Flores before making a choice, as tours to Yaxha and Tikal will depart from the island.
As mentioned, Flores is quite compact, so you’ll be fine regardless of where you stay on the island. But Flores can be pricey by local standards. If you’re a budget traveler that likes privacy, be prepared to make some compromises, such as having a shared bathroom or no AC.
Popular budget options include Hostal Inn 1 and Hotel Sabana. And if you have a bit more money to spend, consider Hotel Casa Amelia or Hotel Isla de Flores.
In Santa Elena, consider Hotel Quinta Maya and Nakum Hotel, both situated near the causeway.
Note that there are also lots of affordable options on the mainland to the north of the island. But in that case, you’d only be able to reach the island by boat or via a long drive. It seems quite inconvenient, especially if you have any morning excursions booked, so I wouldn’t recommend staying in that area.
But what about El Remate?
El Remate is fast becoming a popular alternative to Flores, as it’s about halfway between Flores/Santa Elena and Tikal (not to mention the border with Belize).
Though I only saw El Remate from the bus (albeit no less than six times), it seemed like your standard roadside town in rural Latin America. While it lacks the ambiance and scenery of Flores, it would be a great choice if you’d prefer to cut down on a lot of travel time during your various tours. You should be able to find plenty of tourism offices in El Remate as well.
El Remate is cheaper than Flores, and highly-rated options there include Casa Alemán and Sun Breeze Hotel, among others.
The main reason I didn’t choose El Remate is because I wanted to take a long tourist shuttle to Antigua. And based on my research, these shuttles only seem to depart from Flores. However, you may be able to arrange some kind of shuttle once you’re on the ground in El Remate, though I’m not really sure.
Despite being one of the most popular tourist destinations in Guatemala, Flores isn’t all that easy to reach. It’s actually most easily visited from San Ignacio, Belize, which is just a few hours away.
SHUTTLE FROM SAN IGNACIO
You can easily book transport in advance online or at one of the various tour operators around San Ignacio. I booked this tour and had a good experience overall. The only issue is that they don’t pick you up in San Ignacio until around 15:00 PM, presumably because they start the journey all the way in Belize City.
Also note that due to local regulations, travelers can’t take a single shuttle all the way to Flores. You’ll first be dropped off at the border (make sure to have $40 BZ or $20 USD for the exit tax), and when you come out the other side, you’ll board a new bus. The driver in Belize will hand everyone wristbands which will allow the next bus driver to easily identify you.
Note that some reviews online complain of their bus driver telling passengers that there were no ATMs in Flores, encouraging everyone to use a random ATM along the way. This didn’t happen to me, and I can also confirm that there are indeed ATMs in Flores.
TAXI FROM SAN IGNACIO
If you don’t like the idea of getting to Flores so late, you can also take a taxi from San Ignacio to the border. Shared taxis are available, while I was quoted about $15 USD for a private taxi.
Once on the Guatemalan side, you should be able to find a shared minivan. Rather than all the way to the island of Flores, it will likely only take you as far as the mainland city of Santa Elena, from which you’ll then need to take a tuk tuk to reach the island.
FROM ELSEWHERE IN GUATEMALA
Flores isn’t really close to any other destination in Guatemala, so it’s quite a journey to get to or from here by land. I ended up traveling to Antigua from Flores on a tourist shuttle run by Adrenalina Tours which cost me about $60 USD. While it was a grueling 12.5 hours long, everything went smoothly in the end.
I’d end up using Adrenalina Tours a few other times throughout my travels in Guatemala, and they were always very professional and easy to communicate with.
It wasn’t until my long bus journey that I realized the bus makes a stop in the town of Rio Dulce. I’d previously considered visiting Rio Dulce but figured it would be too far out of the way! But it turns out that it actually makes for a great place to break up the journey between Antigua and Flores.
Apparently, you can also take a coach bus between Santa Elena and Guatemala City. It appears that this route only departs at night, however. It may be possible to book these buses at a tourism office in Flores, but if not, you can try at the main bus terminal in Santa Elena. Those heading onward to Antigua may need to transfer to a shuttle upon arrival in the capital.
You can also find plenty of tourist shuttles in between Flores and Semuc Champey.
REACHING FLORES BY PLANE
Considering what a pain Flores can be to reach, it’s not surprising that many simply choose to fly. You’ll find regular flights to and from Guatemala City, and even some international flights from Cancún and Mérida.
While prices are always changing, with all my luggage, flying would’ve cost me over double the price of taking the tourist shuttle.

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