Tikal Day Trip to Guatemala

Marked as an UNESCO World Heritage Site and comprising the largest ruins of the ancient Mayan empire, Tikal is located near the town of Santa Elena in Guatemala's department (state-like organization) of El Peten. Tikal National Park also includes a great deal of unique rainforest fauna, such as toucans, agouti, and howler monkeys, in addition to the occasional ambling jaguar or jaguarundi. In short, Tikal is an expansive ruined Maya city surrounded by flourishing rainforest; what's more, the site is accessible as a day trip from Belize and Mexico, respectfully a result of the Western Highway in Belize and the Inter-American Highway that passes from Chiapas to El Salvador through Guatemala. Many tour operators use these roads, or air transportation when arranging to transport tourists to Tikal for a one-day visit.

Though the name "Tikal" is considered to be relatively recent, as archaeologists are not entirely sure of the ancient name, some have suggested that it may be "Yax Mutul," related to a hieroglyph containing a bundled traditional hairstyle. New name or old, the area has been settled since around the fourth century B.C., before being abandoned by the 1000. The site contains thousands of individual archaeological sites, resulting in a large number still having not been uncovered since excavations began in 1956. Lowland tropical forest dominates the area, with common trees covering the area including Ceiba-genus species which were an essential part of Mayan mythology. In addition, one may see oft-famed cedar trees, well-known throughout the developed world for producing fine hardwood furnishings.

Archaeological structures of particular interest include the sequentially labeled pyramids I-VI, as designated upon the initial survey of each. Pyramid IV, the largest at the site, is approximately seventy meters in height, while the smallest of the numbered structures is pyramid at thirty meters. Multiple royal palaces are nearby, in addition Mesoamerican ball-game courts and what may have been a jail. Stone monuments are often of great interest as well, as they tell the story of the Mayan people through hieroglyphs still visible today. Stories inscribed often tell tales of brave warriors and their campaigns, as the area frequently experienced conflict throughout the inhabited life of Tikal. Finally, many carved stone altars and masks are located throughout the abandoned ancient city, providing further insight into the cultural life of the people that once lived in the area.

Especially when arranging a visit as a day trip from the region, be sure to plan in-depth and far ahead for your visit to Tikal. While tour operators in Belize and Mexico often take care of the details, such as arranging exact transportation and reservations, individuals need to be sure to carry the appropriate documents and any other required materials when crossing the border into Guatemala. Tikal is well worth the visit, exposing the splendor of a civilization that inhabited the area two millenia before ourselves.