We spent our first night very close to the Guatemala City airport, less than half a kilometer away. We had an early flight the next day at 6:00 am, but our host kindly allowed us to leave our larger luggage at the home-stay for two nights, which helped us avoid extra flight costs. The ticket price only included a carry-on bag.
At 4:00 am, we walked quickly to the airport. It was pretty dark outside and the street was empty. We didn’t encounter any unpleasant situations and arrived safely at the airport well ahead of schedule.
At exactly 6:00, the plane took off, and less than an hour later, we landed in Flores. Upon arrival at the airport, we had a shuttle bus ready to take you to Flores for only Q20 per person. You’ll love our hotel, situated in a picturesque location with windows overlooking the lake.We took some time to relax on the balcony and admire the stunning view while writing in your travel journal. We strolled around the small island after lunch. It took us an hour to see the island. We bought guided tour to Tikal for Q 120.
We went back to the hostel and enjoyed the view of the lake from our balcony all evening.. The water was so close, it almost reached our windows!
We had a bit of a delay this morning and ended up leaving to Tikal half an hour later than planned. It took us about 1.5 hours to get to the site, but once we arrived. We completed all the necessary organizational matters and got our entrance tickets. Our tour of Tikal started around 10:00 a.m., but I wanted to mention that our guide suggested stopping for a small snack at a restaurant at the beginning of the tour. Fortunately, there wasn’t much interest in the proposal within our group, so we quickly set off to explore Tikal. It is recommend 2-3 days to explore all Tikal ruins. You can start with a guided tour on the first day, and then spend the following 1 or 2 days exploring independently with a map or a privately hired guide. Tikal is truly magnificent, with its impressive pyramids and other Mayan ruins. In 2024, visitors are allowed to climb some of the tallest pyramids for a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding structures and jungle! The tour ended around 2 p.m. and we grabbed some lunch before heading back to Flores.
Travel agencies, hostels, and hotels on Flores can help you arrange tours and transportation to Tikal. These packages usually include transportation, a guide, and an optional lunch. It’s worth noting that whether you purchase a tour with or without a meal, you’ll end up at the same restaurant as all the other participants, sometimes even twice. The difference is that customers who bought the tour with lunch will get a set meal, while those who didn’t can choose and pay for their own dish from the menu. If you don’t eat the lunch, you’ll have to wait outside the restaurant until the others finish. We suggest getting a guided tour without lunch, which usually costs between Q110 and Q130. But no matter what you paid, everyone receive the same high level of service. Upon arrival, we will divide the group into two: one for English-speaking visitors and the other for Spanish-speaking visitors. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, you can purchase transportation to Tikal for Q100. Our knowledgeable guide will provide fascinating insights into the Mayan civilization and take you to see the most important monuments. For a more comprehensive tour, we recommend adding Q10 to Q30. Please note that it is not possible to see all the sites in Tikal in one day. A friendly guided tour of Tikal typically lasts 2-3 days and is limited to the most spectacular sights. You can also opt for sunrise and sunset tours, which focus on spotting these phenomena. However, don’t worry if you miss the beautiful sunrises or sunsets over the jungle, as the guide mentioned they are rare.
If you don’t see all the sights in Tikal, you won’t feel like you missed out. You’ll still get to see the most interesting and best-preserved ones.
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