Explore Tikal: Camping, Temples, and Wildlife Encounters

Tikal National Park and archaeological site is a truly enchanting destination. The beauty of the rainforest, the diverse wildlife, and the well-preserved ruins with their rich history make it a must-visit in northern Guatemala. Come prepared for an extraordinary outdoor experience that will leave a lasting impression.

Not only is magical and mysterious Tikal a National Park in Guatemala, it is also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Furthermore, Tikal is protected by RAMSAR and the forest is part of The Maya Biosphere covering forests in Belize, Guatemala and Mexico.

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A woman enjoying the view atom Templo IV in Tikal National Park, Guatamala — View from Templo IV

How do you get to Tikal National Park in Northern Guatemala

I met up with two of my new friends, whom I met in San Ignacio, and we got a bus from El Remate towards Tikal. The bus from El Remate takes you to the three hotels and the camping ground in Tikal National Park.

Before the entering Tikal you need to present your passports and buy an entrance ticket, which of course depends on the number of days you want to spend there (150Q/day). At the entrance we also got our camping ticket (50Q) for camping in close proximity to the entrance. This was the most budget-friendly option to rent a hammock and sleep at the campsite in Tikal for one night!

Be sure to bring enough cash with you to Tikal, as there are no ATM’s there. Unless things has changed since my last visit in 2019, it is not be possible to pay by credit card at the entrance to Tikal.

How to find your way in Tikal National Park

Before entering Tikal you must present your entrance ticket and in return you get a bracelet at the ticket control point. If you are camping you also have a bracelet on, which you got when you bought the entrance ticket.

Equipped with a MapsMe download of Tikal, we entered the site without guides. One of my companions had all of Wikipedia installed on his phone and thus acted as our personal guide! It is possible to explore the site on your own, depending on how much you care about safety, being a tourist in a crowd with a guide, and if you’re interested in spotting some local wildlife.

A cute keel-billed toucan peeking out. We saw many birds and other wildlife around the site.

What you can expect to see in Tikal National Park

Explore the abandoned temples and buildings of a lost kingdom

The most photographed structure in Tikal is very likely the Jaguar Temple at the Main Plaza. While you may not climb the Jaguar Temple, you can admire it from either the ground or from the other structures in the plaza.

We climbed some of the ruins using the wooden staircases to Templo II, III and IV. From Templo IV we walked to Mundo Perdido, from where we watched an amazing sunset. If you head to this link you will see where these mentioned temples and structures are located.

The view of the Great Plaza and the Jaguar temple seen from Temple II

An interesting place to explore is Group G Palace Complex, also known as Palacio de las Acanaladuras. You can see me entering the building on one of the next photos.

If you want to learn about the history of Tikal I suggest you either schedule a local guided tour where you will get valuable insights about the Mayan civilization. I got a guided tour when I was in Caracol in Belize and it was amazing and relaxing to be guided around by professionals. If you would like to read about the history of the ancient Mayan civilization and the excavation work before venturing to Tikal, you can learn more on Wikipedia’s extensive page about the subject.

A woman entering an ancient Mayan temple in Tikal National Park Guatemala — Here I am just about to enter one of the palaces (Group G)

Wildlife spotting in Tikal National Park

When walking from temple to temple, you can look for wildlife in the forest. You can also use the vantage points from atop the temples to look for monkeys and canopy dwelling birds.

You will most likely meet the little coatis while visiting Tikal National Park, they are curious little animals with a long snout and tail. Even if they will come close to you searching for food, you should never feed a wild animal. Some of the other wildlife we spotted includes spider monkeys, toucans, Lesson’s motmot and many other birds.

A coati searching for food in Tikal National Park

Enjoy the wonderful sunset from one of the temples

From the top of Mundo Perdido we watched the most spectacular sunset. We enjoyed the gorgeous view over the rainforest, and saw toucans flying from treetop to treetop. The forest stretched as far as the eye could see.

Make sure you don’t wait too long to leave, as the park closes at 6 pm! By then it will be dark and creepy, here you can use a head torch to guide you down the paths. Bear in mind that some paths might be slippery due to mosses and moisture.

The view from the top of Mundo Perdido in Tikal National Park — The view from the top of Mundo Perdido

When visiting Tikal, it is unlikely that you will have the entire park to yourself. If you happen to encounter other visitors during your time there, you have a couple of options. You can follow the other groups back to the entrance, or alternatively, ensure you are familiar with the way back to the entrance before waiting until the last minute to depart.

Places to eat in Tikal National Park, Guatemala

After a long day of hiking through the moist forest and dirty paths, it was time to treat ourselves with some dinner at one of the hotels.

We treated ourselves at the restaurant at Jaguar Inn, we all ordered delicious pastas and paid by credit card. Win!

Camping in Tikal National Park: On a budget in Tikal

Besides paying a the 50Q for a camping ticket, we also rented hammocks to sleep in for the night (50Q). This was made possible by the staff at the camping site. The hammocks were really comfortable with mosquito nets to provide the best conditions for a good nights’ sleep.

We had the hammocks hung up underneath the bungalows making a cozy camping environment. Other visitors at the camp site had pitched up a small tent underneath the bungalow.

After having set up our *camp* we locked our backpacks with wires making them securely locked to each other.

For this I used my PacSafe pouch with metal wire. In the PacSafe I put my valuables, which I did not want to bring on the hike into the park. You can buy the PacSafe pouch on Amazon, and you can use it as a “travel-safe”!

Camping is a fun experience if you come prepared!

It was a very cold night sleeping in the hammocks, and unless you have blankets and layers of clothes or perhaps a good sleeping bag, you may not have a perfectly good night’s sleep.

It was, however, a very wild experience to sleep *almost* under the stars. I listened to all the nocturnal wildlife, e.g. the frogs, insects and howler monkeys calling in the night. It reminded me of the time in 2012 on my very first solo travel at 19 years old, where I slept in a dried river bed in South Africa with all the other wildlife volunteers and our guides and expedition leaders, which is still today the coolest outdoor experiences I’ve had.

Sleeping at the campsite in Tikal National Park in a rainforest was a very rustic experience, so if you’re afraid of the dark or of wildlife this experience may not be for you, and you should perhaps instead book a day tour to Tikal or stay in a hotel room close by. You can for example stay in the cosy town of El Remate just outside Tikal.

Packing list for two days exploring with one-night of camping in rented hammocks:

Sturdy shoes, water, lock, PacSafe or wire, day pack, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, enough cash for transportation to Flores, entrance, food, water, hotel or camping (unless you paid for a hotel room online).

After spending a night in Tikal, we opted for the bus journey to Flores. Conveniently, there is a bus service available directly from the site. To inquire about the bus schedule, simply ask around for the timings.

If I ever find myself in Northern Guatemala again I will definitely pencil in another visit to Tikal National Park, preferably having two full days to explore the forests and temples.

Conclusion

Visiting Tikal National Park is truly something special—it’s like stepping back in time while soaking up the beauty of nature all around you. From climbing those towering temples to catching glimpses of playful howler monkeys swinging through the trees, every moment feels like an adventure waiting to happen.

As you wander through the ancient ruins and listen to the sounds of the jungle, you’ll find yourself falling in love with the magic of this place. It’s not just a trip; it’s an experience that will leave you with stories to share and memories to treasure for years to come. So if you’re considering a visit, pack your bags and get ready for a journey that will spark your sense of wonder. Trust me, Tikal is a name you’ll want to remember!