Discover and Visit Tikal National Park

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Tikal is an archaeological site in Guatemala. It was one of the largest Mayan cities ever to exist, and one of the most important due to its remoteness, but also its jungle setting for Tourist. Some of the temples are still being uncovered, and you can watch archaeologists busy at work. The area around Tikal has been declared as the Tikal National Park and the preserved area covers 570 square kilometers.

The Tikal National Park is Guatemala’s most prized cultural gem. Both magical and spiritual, Tikal encourages the imagination to wander and incites the desire to explore. It is also designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tikal Mayan ruins attract curious investigators of all sorts, who come to marvel at their existence. Visitors to Guatemala will find a variety of options for Tikal excursions that can be arranged from other main tourist areas.

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Location

Tikal National Park is located in Central America, in Northern Guatemala department of Petén Province within a large forest region often referred to as the Maya Forest which extends into the neighboring of Mexico and not so far from the Belizean border.

It embedded within the much larger Maya Biosphere Reserve that exceeds two million hectares and contiguous with conservation area.

Climate

The Climate in Tikal is always sunny, hot and humid. Winter nights can be cool but just bring and dress lightly because climbing up the many steep steps of the monuments can be sweaty.

The months of January or February are the best time to visit Tikal because it is the best chance of getting a clear view of the sunset and sunrise of the place.

Transportation

The easiest way to Tikal is via plane, fly from Belize City International Airport on Maya Island Air or the Tropic Air.

These two flights leave every day in the morning and afternoon to Flores, Guatemala and will take less than an hour total to Tikal. This is the best and fastest way for tourist who are in a short holiday.

What to See

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Twin Pyramid Complex

This pyramid was one of the construction projects driven in part of the Mayan Calendar. Each of these pyramids would be flat-topped, built adjacent to each other and contain a staircase on each side.

Between the pyramids was a plaza that had structures laid out to the north and south. And nine of these twin pyramid complexes have been found at Tikal; construction of them appears to have continued until close to the city’s end.

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Temples I & II

These two temples are one of the six temple pyramids that were made for burial place of the ruler. Temple I and II face each other at the center of the city, and Tikal’s grand plaza Is located between them.

Temple I is located in the east and rises 145 feet off the ground. Its stairways going up is over a series of nine step layers, and it will take the visitor or tourist to an enclosed room at top that has images of the ruler, Jasaw Kaan K’awil. His burial chamber was found inside the pyramid’s interior and contained many luxury goods, including jaguar pelts, jade and even the incised images of figures in canoes on human bones.

The pyramid beside is the Temple II and it is believed to be dedicated to the wife’s ruler, Lady Tun Kaywak. Her pyramid rises up 125 feet and contains three step layers. At a doorway on top, an image of woman, believed to be her, is carved on wood.

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North Acropolis

It is located in the northern part of the two temples. This is an area known to archaeologists as the “North Acropolis.” From the city’s earliest beginnings, it was used for burying Tikal’s elite, its rulers in particular.

It contains a complex series of temples, shrines and tombs that have been rebuilt and expanded many times throughout the city’s history. They cover more than two and a half acres.

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Images:

(1) www.bibliotecapleyades.net
(2) guides.temple.edu
(3) www.flickr.com
(4) www.tourismlandscapes.blogspot.com
(5) www.eric.gatterdam.us