Why You Should Stay In One Of These Tikal National Park Hotels

Most visitors to Tikal stay overnight in Flores and do day trips to view the temples in Tikal. Flores is a quaint little island town that is an obvious choice to base your expedition to the Tikal and Petén regions. If you want to have more of an intimate experience, it’s worth looking at Tikal National Park hotels.

We have some suggestions if you’re searching for hotels in Tikal National Park.

Learn more about Tikal

To learn more about Tikal, read Exploring Tikal – Highlights and Tips. Here are things to know if you choose to stay inside Tikal National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How to get to Tikal from Flores

Tikal’s pyramids are about 70 km or one hour away by a car. The easiest way to get to Tikal is by joining one of the many organized Tikal tours or to use transport from tour agencies in Flores.

The price of this journey varies. It’s around GTQ 80-100. Ask for a discount if you are traveling in a group.

There might be a semi-regular public bus service that you can take to Tikal ruins, but several highway robberies get reported on this route that especially target foreigners.

You’ll see a lot of soldiers in full gear protecting this touristy stretch of road.

You can reach Flores from either the capital Guatemala City or Belize City.  Many visitors opt to fly to Belize City, which is a closer distance to travel.

Read How to Get from Belize City to Tikal.

Getting around Guatemala

We recently discovered a new transportation service in Guatemala called El C.A. Express. We took their excellent bus from Guatemala City to Antigua. Soon, they’ll be operating more of their environmentally-friendly buses throughout the country. Check them out!

Tikal Entrance Fee

Tikal National Park is open from 6 am to 6 pm everyday. The Tikal entrance fee is GTQ 120 (or GTQ 25 for locals). It’s valid for the whole day, regardless of your time of arrival.

I heard, unofficially, that if you buy your Tikal ticket after 3 pm, you can ask the park ranger to date and stamp your ticket with the next day’s date, so that you can also use it for two days. This is technically against the rules, but for an “additional GTQ 25 *nudge nudge, wink wink*” the ranger will probably do it.

Sunset/Sunrise Tour: worth it?

If you stay in Flores, you can do the sunrise tour. Be ready for your journey by 3 am so you can arrive at Tikal National Park by 4:30. Don’t forget a flashlight or headlamp! These are more dependable than your phone’s flashlight.

The cost for the Tikal sunrise or sunset tour varies, but expect to pay GTQ 250 which includes transportation and the entrance fee to Tikal National Park.

It is a memorable moment to observe the expansive universe in the sky near the temples in Tikal, only occasionally obstructed by a gigantic pyramid structure in the dark. While you’re sitting on top of Temple IV, the highest point in the park, witnessing the jungle waking up is magical.

You can hear the howling monkey and many birds chirping, while the sky gets lighter. All of a sudden, the thick jungle with ancient Mayan ruins appears before your eyes. This is the best way to experience the famous Guatemala ruins!

If you associate Tikal with Star Wars, this is where you want to be. If you’re an avid fan, you’ll really appreciate the view, as this was the set for Yavin 4 in Star Wars – Episode IV: A New Hope.

Tikal National Park is big. Even if you don’t do the Sunset or Sunrise tour, joining any tour during your stay in Tikal is highly recommended. You’ll learn so much more about the structure and culture of the park, as well as how to navigate the park efficiently.

Why you should stay in Tikal National Park

Tikal National park officially opens at 6 am. However, the park rangers arrive at 4:30 and only organized tours are allowed enter the park.

If you’re staying in Flores, that means you have to pay extra for an organized tour. You must get up at 2-3 am, get on a bus, make the hour-long journey to Tikal, and join the tour at 4:30 or 5 am.

However, if you already staying in one of the Tikal hotels and, therefore, are staying inside the park, you can spare yourself the 1 hr drive from Flores and wake up in your comfortable bed.

Then, simply meet your tour guide at the entrance just a few steps away from your hotel. No need to wake up early or pay a separate fee for the drive from Flores.

Typically, the sunrise in Tikal is at 6:30 am. To get to Temple IV from the main entrance, you have to walk for about 40 minutes.

It’s possible to quickly run through the park to catch the end of the sunrise with your 6 am general admission ticket. But it requires knowing your way around the park.

If you’re not on a tour, good planning is crucial.

Places to stay in Tikal National Park

Tikal hotels

There are only three hotels in Tikal National Park.

• Jungle Lodge Tikal
• Jaguar Inn Tikal
• Tikal Inn.

The price varies greatly according to your bed arrangement, length of stay, and size of your group. But expect to pay between $50-$200 per night.

Tikal National Park camping

There are two camping sites that offer excellent Tikal National Park accommodations for budget-conscious travelers.

The official Tikal campsite, by the main entrance next to the Ceramic Museum, offers space for about $5.50 (40 GTQ) a night and a hammock for about a dollar more (50 GTZ).

If you already have your own tent or hammock, you just need to pay the $5.50 (40 GTQ).

The other option for camping is the Jaguar Inn. It offers a hammocks for $10.50 (GTQ 80). This is a popular option for backpackers, so space is almost always sold out.

Book your Tikal campsite well in advance.

Illegal Overnight Stays in Tikal

I’ve heard about experiences in the old days where backpackers bribed park rangers. The rangers allowed them to sneak into Tikal to camp for the night.

Those days have long gone – and this is no longer an option. You can only stay at official Tikal National Park hotels or campgrounds.

You will be able to view the magical stars, hear the howling monkeys, and spot some tarantulas wandering outside their lairs.

Tikal Hotels: Things to Remember

Here are a few things to know while staying at your Tikal National Park hotel or campground:

1. You’re in a jungle

Have a sense of adventure and enjoy the rare experience of being in the middle of nowhere. Don’t expect luxury or convenience you can only get from a big city.

Hot showers and electricity are limited.

2. Wildlife in Tikal National Park

Keep in mind that you are a guest in their home. Expect to see many animals in Tikal National Park, including birds, howling monkeys, and insects.

While they tend to stay away from humans, their existence is definitely noticeable.

Howling monkeys are notoriously loud, especially throughout the night. During the sunrise, Tarantulas hunt on the common paths.

Mosquitoes in Tikal are plentiful, especially in the summer, so be prepared with repellent.

3. Electricity in Tikal National Park hotels

Electricity in Tikal is limited. The three hotels in Tikal enforce green policies and only have electricity during peak hours.

The Jungle Lodge Inn operates its electricity only from 1-2 in the afternoon, and from 5-10 at night. None of these hotels in Tikal are air-conditioned, although rooms have ceiling fans.

To cool off, take a cold shower before bed.

4. Internet in Tikal Hotels

It is definitely possible to connect to the outside world with free hotel Wi-Fi, which is password protected. Wi-Fi service is solely for Tikal park hotel guests.

Although operated for 24 hours a day, the WiFi range at Tikal hotels is very limited in public areas, such as lobbies and restaurants.

If you are camping in Tikal, consider purchasing a Guatemalan SIM dard. Otherwise, just enjoy being disconnected from the outside world!

5. Food and drink

Be prepared by bringing food from nearby Flores. Or, if you opt to eat out, there are a few options for dining in Tikal National Park. Each of the three Tikal park hotels operates good quality restaurants.

They offer typical Western meals like burgers and steak, as well as Guatemalan specialties, such as fresh fruit, beans and corn tortillas.

There is another restaurant inside the park, the Comidor Tikal. All of these establishments are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They close around 8:30 pm.

Prices are reasonable. Expect to pay $5-8 for a full dinner.

Coffee and snacks at Tikal Park

If you are doing the sunrise tour that starts at 4:30 am, you can purchase a small cup of coffee and a snack from the vendors right outside the entrance.

Your tour guides will be able to show you where they are.

During a hike, you can find plenty of small snack and drink huts inside Tikal National Park. These vendors offer refreshments and an opportunity to rest with seating areas.

They say bringing food inside Tikal National Park is prohibited, but I saw plenty of people with prepared meals and snacks inside.

Souvenir stalls in Tikal

There are plenty of souvenir vendors inside the park – particularly if you are looking for kitschy things, such as postcards, key chains, and fridge magnets.

Sadly, the only post office inside Tikal National Park was closed, and I was told that there is no operational post office in the Petén department.

You will have to send your Tikal postcards elsewhere.

Leave a comment if you hear otherwise!

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