Tikal

Tikal is one of the greatest and most atmospheric of all the ancient Maya cities, a vast metropolis that flourished for over a thousand years, its towering stone temple-pyramids rising dramatically above the dense rainforest canopy of northern Guatemala. A UNESCO wonder set in a huge national park teeming with howler monkeys, toucans and coatis, its plazas, palaces and steep pyramids, some climbable for breathtaking views over the jungle, make it an unforgettable fusion of ancient grandeur and wild nature.

History

Traces of farming at Tikal go back to about 1000 BC, and major building, including large pyramids and platforms, began around 400-300 BC, when the city was still dwarfed by El Mirador and Nakbe to the north; in the 1st century AD rich burials appeared, and later inscriptions name Yax Ehb Xook as founder of the dynasty, perhaps in that century. In the Classic period, from about 200 to 900, Tikal, whose ancient name was Yax Mutal, became the capital of one of the most powerful Maya kingdoms, dominating much of the Maya region and dealing with distant Teotihuacan, which had embassies here as early as 200; it fought Uaxactun, Caracol, Naranjo and Calakmul and was defeated by Caracol at the end of the Early Classic. The name Tikal was adopted soon after the ruins were found in the 1840s, and Tikal National Park was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979 (Wikipedia, Tikal).

What to look for

• The temple-pyramids - the towering pyramids rising above the jungle.
• The Grand Plaza - the central plaza and its facing temples.
• The canopy views - the panorama over the treetops from Temple IV.
• The jungle wildlife - the howler monkeys, toucans and coatis.

When to go

November to April, the dry season, for the easiest access and trails, though the jungle is atmospheric year-round; go at dawn to see the temples in the mist, hear the howler monkeys and beat the heat and crowds. Sunrise tours are popular.

Things to know

It is remote in the northern jungle, reached via the town of Flores, so it takes a journey, and the site is large and hot, involving a lot of walking. Climbing some pyramids is restricted or by wooden stairs for safety. A guide greatly enriches the visit and helps spot wildlife. The combination of ruins and rainforest, though, is magical.

Nearby

The island town of Flores, Lake Peten Itza and other Maya sites are within reach.

Key facts