Tikal is one of the worlds most expansive archeological sites and urban centers from the Pre-Colombian Mayan civilization. The site can be found in the Petén Basin in northwest Guatemala, roughly an hour from the small city of Flores. The archeological site covers a total of 57,600 hectares deep in the rainforest, surrounded by the massive Maya Biosphere established in 1990. The Biosphere includes many ecosystems like wetlands and savannah with both tropical broadleaf and palm forests that stretch into Belize and Mexico.
This Biosphere is home to lush vegetation that encompasses a wide spectrum of fauna, flora, and animal species. Five types of big cats are found here, including both the Jaguar and Puma, along with several rare species of monkey’s and anteaters. The diverse ecosystem is home to more than 300 species of birds, 100 kinds of reptiles, 60 varieties of bats, 38 types of snakes, and 25 different amphibians. The region houses more than 200 species of trees with 2,000 varieties of plants across the diverse habitats.
The site was officially discovered by an expedition sponsored by the Guatemalan government in 1848. The name Tikal was adopted shortly after discovery while the original name is believed to have been Yax Mutal. The ancient city was one of Guatemala’s first protected areas. It was declared a National Monument in 1931 and later formed into a National Park in 1955. In 1979 the site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This UNESCO Site is one of the few places that checks off both cultural and natural properties for demonstrating extraordinary biodiversity and cultural importance. There are thousands of examples of architectural and artistic remains dating as far back as the Pre-Classic Period (600 BC) through the eventual decline and collapse of Mayan civilization around 900 AD.
Tikal was the capital of a conquest state that became one of the most powerful kingdoms from the Ancient Mayan world. Some of the monuments date back as far as 4th century BC, with the height of the city arriving during the Classic Period. Tikal had an estimated population of around 100,000 inhabitants while the rulers dominated the region economically, militarily, and politically.
The urban zones of Tikal stretch for 400 hectares and include many of the major architectural monuments of palaces, temples, ceremonial platforms, each size of residential structures, ball courts, terraces, roads, and communal squares. The central zone encompasses more than 3,000 buildings in a 6 km (3.73 miles) radius.
Wealth of Archeology
There is a wealth of archeological and artistic expression in Tikal. The Mayans used unique elements to illustrate historic and mythical biographic data that included the dynastic sequence. They kept exceptional records through 577 years that included 33 rulers. The earliest stone sculpture or stelae (Stelae 29) is dated 292 with the last (Stelae 11) dated 869.
This ancient civilization decorated surfaces with stone carvings and mural paintings that are covered in hieroglyphic texts. These texts tell the dynastic history of the city and the political relationships with other urban centers such as Calakmul in Mexico, Caracol in Belize, and Copán in Honduras.
Tikal’s influence stretched as far north as Teotihuacan in central Mexico. These two major cities had extensive connections and influence over each other, as they were key partners for trade. There is evidence that the two had embassies in each other’s cities as early as 200 AD. Translated from hieroglyphs, it is believed that Teotihuacan defeated Tikal and quickly asserted dominance over the Petén region.
During the 6th century a large rivalry developed with the neighboring city of Calakmul, located today on the other side of the Mexican border. The two cities formed a network of hostile alliances against each other, in what’s been likened to a long running war between two Mayan superpowers.
At some point during the middle of the 6th century, the neighboring state of Caracol allied with Calakmul to defeat Tikal. This defeat interrupted the flow of power and influence in Tikal for more than 100 years. It wasn’t until the 7th century that new large-scale construction continued to take place.
By the 9th century the crisis of the “Classic Maya Collapse” swept through the region. Populations of all cities, towns, and villages plummeted as the surrounding cities fell silent. It is believed that the region lost population between 830 and 950 AD due to deforestation, erosion, and nutrient loss, paired with toxic water that was contaminated from mercury, phosphate, and cyanobacteria.
Touring the Ancient City
Prices for a visit to Tikal can range; however, it’s best to make accommodations upon arrival to Flores. Online prices begin around $100 US, but in person it’s a much more affordable. I signed up with the tour company that was partnered with my hostel. The tour left from in front of the I Love Petén sign upon entry to Flores.
The company offered a sunrise tour that cost 300 Quetzals, or 150 Q ($20 US) more, than any other tour offered throughout the day. The higher price is due to the early morning experience of being able to hear the jungle come alive while mist fills the air leaving guests with a feeling of deep mystery. Instead of signing up for the first tour and paying extra, I signed up for the 6 am option that cost 150 Q without a tour or 180 Q with.
I decided to take the tour since it was only an extra 30 Q ($4 US). Overall, the tour was worth it, especially when factoring in the size of the park and the amount of hiking paths that cut through the lush jungle. Tikal is a very easy site to get lost in. Our guide took us inside when the ruins opened, at 6 am. We were not lucky enough to walk around during the sunrise, but we did get to explore them shortly after. During our wait at the gate, we could hear the jungle on all sides. Howler monkeys howled in the distance as songbirds sang their morning tunes.
I thoroughly enjoyed my tour through this expansive site. I would have loved to spend at least two full days exploring these magnificent ruins. It’s hard not to feel complete awe by the level grandiosity of this ancient city. Every area of the park had something new to offer. My favorite and most memorable moment was the visit to Temple IV. Temple IV was one of the many filming sites used create the rebel base which has inspired both children and adults for generations. It was used as the location of the rebel base near the end of the movie Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
Guatemala’s most famous National Park is home to one of the most impressive Mayan sites in Central America. It is lesser known than the more famous sites of Mexico, such as Chichén Itzá or Palenque. However, Tikal will leave guests astonished by its vast and extensive nature. To top off the experience, the natural environment of the jungle’s lush vegetation and abundance of wildlife was the perfect touch to make this one of my favorite archeological sites that I’ve visited.
I would recommend Tikal to any visitor of the Petén region in Guatemala. Do yourself a favor and bring the family, come by yourself, or find a group of friends and discover the ancient Mayan city of Tikal. Discover the regions culture deep in Guatemala’s jungle for an authentic Mayan experience like no other.
