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Flores (Guatemala)

Municipality and capital of Petén Department, Guatemala

42km

16.93-89.8833

San Ignacio (Belize)

Known as Cayo to locals, Maya and Hispanic influence near the Guatemala border

62km

17.160125-89.05999722

Placencia Peninsula

peninsula in Belize

154km

16.593889-88.366667

Belize City

Belize's largest city, on the Caribbean Sea

162km

17.504722-88.186667

Chiapas

From docks on the Rio Grijalva (the only major river within Mexico) near Tuxtla Gutiérrez in Chiapas state, tour launches take you into this steep-walled National Park. You'll likely see vast flocks of flamingos, pelicans, and other waterfowl, as well as crocodiles.

321km

16.41-92.408611
Sights (7)

Central Acropolis

A palace complex just south of the Great Plaza

68m

17.221454-89.623331

North Acropolis, Tikal

Together with the Great Plaza, it is one of the most studied architectural groups in the Maya area.

86m

17.2227-89.6234

Mundo Perdido, Tikal

To the west of the Plaza of the Seven Temples. It is the largest ceremonial complex dating from the Preclassic period at Tikal

586m

17.22004722-89.62793333

Tikal Temple IV

The tallest temple in the park, measuring 70 m (230 ft).

788m

17.22369167-89.62990833

Uaxactun

ancient sacred place of the Maya civilization, in present-day Guatemala

18km

17.39356111-89.63453333

El Mirador

Pre-Columbian Maya settlement

65km

17.755-89.92055556

Aguateca

some of the best-preserved Mayan ruins in Guatemala where you are more likely to encounter archaeologists at work than tourists with cameras

106km

16.41194444-90.18833333
Nature

we will see

Tikal

Guatemala
Someday we will visit Tikal or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Tikal

Tikal is a large archaeological site in the Guatemalan department of Petén. During the Classic Period it was one of the largest and most important of the Mayan cities. Today it's one of the most fascinating and enjoyable of the Mayan sites to visit, largely due to its remoteness, but also its jungle setting. Tourists still descend on it by the busload, but it's far from feeling overrun like Chichen Itza and other sites. Some of the temples are still being uncovered, and you can watch archaeologists busy at work. It was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

Tikal has been partially restored by the University of Pennsylvania and the government of Guatemala. It was one of the largest of the Classic period Maya cities and was one of the largest cities in the Americas. The architecture of the ancient city is built from limestone and includes the remains of temples that tower over 70 metres (230 ft) high, large royal palaces, in addition to a number of smaller pyramids, palaces, residences, administrative buildings, platforms and inscribed stone monuments. There is even a building which seemed to have been a jail, originally with wooden bars across the windows and doors. There are also seven courts for playing the Mesoamerican ballgame, including a set of 3 in the Seven Temples Plaza, a unique feature in Mesoamerica.

The closest large modern settlements are Flores and Santa Elena, approximately 64 kilometres (40 mi) by road to the southwest. Tikal is approximately 303 kilometres (188 mi) north of Guatemala City. It is 19 kilometres (12 mi) south of the contemporary Maya city of Uaxactun and 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of Yaxha. The city was located 100 kilometres (62 mi) southeast of its great Classic Period rival, Calakmul, and 85 kilometres (53 mi) northwest of Calakmul's ally Caracol, now in Belize.

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Climate

Average temperatures

Jan

22°C17
Precipitation: 99 mm

Feb

24°C19
Precipitation: 93 mm

Mar

26°C19
Precipitation: 60 mm

Apr

28°C21
Precipitation: 38 mm

May

28°C22
Precipitation: 237 mm

Jun

26°C22
Precipitation: 296 mm

Jul

25°C20
Precipitation: 224 mm

Aug

25°C20
Precipitation: 276 mm

Sep

24°C21
Precipitation: 309 mm

Oct

23°C19
Precipitation: 311 mm

Nov

23°C18
Precipitation: 157 mm

Dec

22°C18
Precipitation: 153 mm
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