Description
Travel across the border into Guatemala to explore the Tikal archaeological complex, home to the majestic Mayan temples and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Check Availability
Highlights
- Explore a major urban hub of the pre-Colombian Maya, a vast archaeological site
- Uncover UNESCO World Heritage Site wonders
- Journey to Guatemala aided by expert guides
Description
The day begins with a 7:00 AM pickup in San Ignacio, followed by a brief 15-minute drive to the Guatemalan border. Your guide will be there to assist you during the border crossing process, ensuring a smooth transition. From there, the journey continues with a two-hour drive to reach Tikal.
Tikal, an ancient Mayan site known for its profound spiritual significance, awaits your discovery. As you enter the national park, you’ll be surrounded by the flourishing wildlife that inhabits the area around the awe-inspiring temples. Here, you’ll have the chance to marvel at the incredible temples and cities that were constructed by the Mayan civilization, forming an expansive complex with deep religious, social, and political significance.
Guided by knowledgeable experts, you’ll embark on a comprehensive tour of the main attractions within the complex. With over 3,000 structures, including palaces, temples, plazas, ceremonial platforms, ball courts, terraces, causeways, and reservoirs, the site offers a captivating glimpse into the intricacies of Mayan culture. Among the standout features are several prominent temples, with the tallest one towering to a remarkable height of 212 feet.
After immersing yourself in the wonders of Tikal, a satisfying lunch awaits at a local restaurant. Following the meal, the return journey to San Ignacio begins, with the possibility of making stops at local gift shops along the route. Anticipated arrival back in San Ignacio is approximately 4:30 PM.
What the Customers are Saying
Stand-out Aspects of the Tikal Tour:
- Knowledgeable and Friendly Guides: Many reviewers praised the guides for their extensive knowledge, friendliness, and ability to provide context about Tikal and Mayan civilization.
- Educational Experience: Guests appreciated having a guide to understand the vastness of Tikal and its historical significance. Guides provided insights into both the archaeological site and local life in Guatemala.
- Well-Organized Tour: Reviewers highlighted the seamless organization of the tour, from border crossing to transportation and pacing.
- Lunch and Snacks: Some mentioned the delicious lunch provided at the end of the tour. However, there were mixed experiences regarding the availability of snacks as described in the tour description.
- Engaging and Informative Tour: Visitors found the tour well-paced, allowing for free exploration and photo opportunities. Guides provided a mix of history, culture, and local insights.
- Positive Guide Mentions: Specific guides received praise for their fantastic, knowledgeable, and friendly demeanor.
Common Themes in Reviews:
- Positive feedback on the guides’ knowledge, friendliness, and ability to provide context.
- Appreciation for the educational aspect of the tour, enhancing the understanding of Tikal and Mayan culture.
- Well-organized tour, from border crossing to transportation and pacing.
- Some variability in the availability of snacks and the accuracy of tour descriptions.
- Positive remarks about the delicious lunch included in the tour.
- Enjoyment of free exploration and photo opportunities.
- Specific guides like Willy and Mariela received specific mentions for their excellent performance.
Summary: The stand-out aspects of the Tikal tour include knowledgeable and friendly guides who enhance the educational experience of Tikal and Mayan culture. The tour is well-organized, offering seamless logistics, and provides opportunities for free exploration and engagement with the historical site. While there were some inconsistencies in the availability of snacks and adherence to tour descriptions, overall, visitors found the tour to be enjoyable and informative. Specific guides received praise for their exceptional performances.