Things to do in Tikal National Park, Peten Department: The Best Sights & Landmarks

May 29, 2021 Frederic Celentano

Discover the best top things to do in Tikal National Park, Guatemala including Temple IV, Great Plaza, Temple I, Temple II, North Acropolis, Temple V, Tikal, Lost World, Central Acropolis, Plaza Of The Seven Temples.

1. Temple IV

Tikal National Park Guatemala
Excellent
87%
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12%
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5.0 based on 788 reviews

Temple IV

If you're up for an energetic climb, ascend the wooden stairs to the top of this 212-foot structure, the highest in Tikal, for a magnificent view of the jungle below.

Reviewed By 73valh

We went here with a tour group. We had a guided tour at this place and it was very insightful. We were able to climb a couple of the temples. They have made their own wooden steps to get to ALMOST the top. The views are incredible.

2. Great Plaza

Tikal National Park Guatemala
Excellent
89%
Good
10%
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1%
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5.0 based on 493 reviews

Great Plaza

Once the ceremonial, religious and social center of Tikal, this plaza is surrounded by huge temples, a palace, sculpted altars and a ball court.

Reviewed By RobertAleksandrowicz - San Jose, United States

The space littered with stelae and altars between Temples I and II on the east-west axis and between the North Acropolis and the place complex on the north-south axis is the Great Plaza, or the new downtown of Tikal because it was built relatively late in its history. What most visitors don't realize is that this plaza is built on a platform that's at least 4 meters high, and from this platform rise the temples and palaces around. The Great Plaza is a must-see for anyone visiting Tikal. Make sure to check the acoustics, but don't just clap. Stand in the middle of the plaza and face directly at the temple I, then the North Acropolis, then Temple 2. Each one will echo your clap.

3. Temple I

Tikal National Park Guatemala
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
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2%
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5.0 based on 294 reviews

Temple I

Reviewed By PandaHouston - Houston, United States

Temples I and II are in a complex. If you climb on Temple II, you get great views of the complex and you can see Temple I. This area is the highlight of Tikal and you definitely want to spend a little bit of time here exploring the area. Unfortunately our guide only gave us 30 minutes here.

4. Temple II

Tikal National Park Guatemala
Excellent
81%
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3%
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5.0 based on 173 reviews

Temple II

Reviewed By RobertAleksandrowicz - San Jose, United States

This is Tikal's Taj Mahal, a temple built by a king to honor his beloved queen. At 138 feet it is the shortest of all the "numbered" pyramids yet still it is 40 feet taller than El Castillo of Chichen Itza. It's a massive looking three-tier pyramid that has been meticulously restored and can be climbed by a wooden staircase accessed behind the monument. If you're with a friend climb the pyramid and have your friend stand in the middle of the plaza and check the acoustics. You can talk to each other in a normal voice and hear each other perfectly. make sure to take look at the roof comb which is very ornate and some of the sculpture is still recognizable after 1400+ years.

5. North Acropolis

Tikal National Park Guatemala +502 2251 6224 http://mcd.gob.gt/tikal/
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

North Acropolis

6. Temple V

Pet 3, Tikal National Park 17001 Guatemala http://www.tikalnationalpark.org/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Temple V

7. Tikal

Selva Tropical 100 Flores, Departamento de El Petén, Tikal National Park 17013 Guatemala
Excellent
89%
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5.0 based on 1,011 reviews

Tikal

Reviewed By trvlwannab - Charlotte, United States

First, please allow me to promote Tikal Go, a tour company that provides standard and custom tours of Tikal. They did a great job for us & we highly recommend them. The ruins are among the best in the world. We’ve been to several of the more famous ones in Mexico, Peru, the UK, Italy, etc. If you appreciate historic archeological structures, find a way to go to Tikal….you won’t be disappointed. The sheer number of structures is amazing. They are in various stages of the way they were originally found to fully restored. I believe there are 6 major “pyramids”. We climbed to the top of 4 of them. In fact, you can explore inside & climb on almost all the structures. It is an awesome site from the top of the tallest pyramid, looking out over the top of the tree canopy to see the tops of 4 other pyramids peeking out from the canopy. Restrooms and small huts selling cold drinks are scattered through the expansive property. We especially enjoyed the opportunity to walk thru the mostly shady terrain as we explored. There is a main entrance building that has a restaurant, bathrooms & vendors. Other than that, there may be 1 or 2 more vendors as you start out on the path, but we appreciated not having a large number of vendors in the ruins area. We had brought umbrellas to protect us from the sun or potential rain, but never opened them. We did apply ample bug-spray and were never bothered. Near the end of our tour (not at the entrance/exit, but still in the jungle) we ate at a nice restaurant that was a much-needed break after our long walking tour. They had a nice lunch and refreshing cold water towels to put on the back of our necks. While it takes a little time to get to Tikal, it is worth the effort. I think they have a small local airport, but we drove in from the Belize/Guatemala border near San Ignacio. It is about 1 & ½ drive to the ruins. Since we were staying in Belize City the day before, we elected to spend the night in Isla de Flores. It is a wonderful little island, with many nice hotels and restaurants about an hour from Tikal.

8. Lost World

Tikal National Park Guatemala
Excellent
78%
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4.5 based on 184 reviews

Lost World

The Lost World complex includes the Great Pyramid, the oldest visible building at the Mayan ruins site in Tikal, now a popular place to watch the sunset and feed the toucans.

Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Visiting "Lost World" is quite an experience! This is the largest ceremonial complex within "Tikal National Park", comprising the "Great Pyramid" and three other temples. The complex dates from the years 300 BC and was probably used for astronomical purposes and also as a royal necropolis. The "Great Pyramid", as the main structure of the complex, is a four sided construction, with staircases on all sides and is 32 meters high. The pyramid-temples of the "Lost World" were built with the use of the "sloping panel" technique and are known, in Spanish, as "Templos Talud-Tablero". Their features resemble those of the "Teotihuacán" pyramids near Mexico City, revealing the intense trade between both pre-Columbian cities. We did not climb up to the top of the "Great Pyramid". Too tired to endure the challenge! Enjoy!

9. Central Acropolis

Tikal National Park Guatemala +502 2239 5000 http://www.tikalpark.com/#!/acropolis
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

Central Acropolis

10. Plaza Of The Seven Temples

Siete Templos, Tikal National Park Guatemala +502 2239 5000 http://www.tikalpark.com/
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

Plaza Of The Seven Temples

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