Hotels in Tikal

Tikal: Maya Metropolis in the Petén Rainforest

Tikal served as one of the largest Maya cities, reaching its peak between 200 and 900 CE with an estimated population of 100,000. Located in the Petén department of northern Guatemala, roughly 570 km from Guatemala City, the site covers 576 sq km of protected rainforest inside Tikal National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Temple IV, the tallest pre-Columbian structure in the Americas at 70 metres, rises above the jungle canopy and draws archaeologists, photographers, and hikers from around the world.

Where to Stay Near Tikal

Hotels cluster in two zones: a handful of lodges sit directly inside the national park — offering pre-dawn access to the ruins before day-trippers arrive — while the town of Flores, a 1.5-hour drive south on the island of Lake Petén Itzá, provides a wider range of mid-range and budget hotels. Santa Elena, connected to Flores by a causeway, adds further options near the regional airport (FRS), which receives daily flights from Guatemala City.

Practical Tips

• Park hours: Gates open at 06:00; Temple IV sunrise access requires an early entry fee.
• Season: The dry season runs November to April — trails are passable and wildlife sightings increase.
• Getting around: No public buses serve the park gates; shared minibuses depart Flores daily from around 04:00.
• Altitude: Petén sits at roughly 300 m elevation; heat and humidity are constant — carry at least 2 litres of water.