Self-Guided Walking Tour of Tikal - Tikal Purple Travel Guide

We provides a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Tikal in our Backpack and Snorkel Tikal Travel Guide. It contains detailed explanations and lots of photos of the monuments that you will see and saves you at least $60 for a tour guide.

Tikal is a large park that requires lots of walking. Be prepared and have a large map at hand (you can buy that at the park entrance) and this travel guide or hire a guide in the park.
Please make sure to have enough water as there are very few opportunities to buy refreshments in the park. Also, bring an umbrella to either protect you from the blazing sun or rain as there are almost no shelters that can protect you from a thunderstorm.

Afternoon of Day 1 in Tikal
I strongly suggest that you enter the park after 3:30pm on your first day to explore the Central Plaza and watch the sunset from Temple II.

Tikal National Park Map

Source: Parque Nacional Tikal map, © Gran Jaguar Society

Aerial photo of Central Plaza in Tikal

If you have lots of time before sunset, then you can visit some other structures on your way (East Plaza and Group F).

Day 2 in Tikal
Much will depend on how much time you have. In the list below, I have marked some places as optional in case you need to rush or do not plan on walking for much of the day.

Tikal National Park Map

Source: Parque Nacional Tikal map, © Gran Jaguar Society

(a) Optional: Temple VI (Temple of the Inscriptions)

(b) Group G (Palacio de las Acanaladuras, Palace of the Grooves)

(c) Temple V
Optional: on the way to the next stop look for South Acropolis (Acropolis del Sur)

(d) Plaza of the Seven Temples (Plaza de los Siete Templos)

(e) Lost World (Mundo Perdido)

(f) Bat Palace (Palace de Las Ventanas, Windows Palace, Palacio de los Murciélogos)
Optional: on the way to this temple look for Group N (Group 5C-1)

(g) Temple IV (Temple of the Two-Headed Serpent) and Star Wars

(h) Temple III (Temple of the Great Priest)

(i) Central Plaza (Gran Plaza)

(j) East Plaza
Optional: on the way to this temple look for Group F

(k) Optional: Group R (Group 4E-3)

(l) Group Q (Group 4E-4)

(m) Optional: Group O (Group 4D-1)

(n) Optional: Group P (Group 3D-2) with Group H and Group M (Group 3D-1)

What do you want to explore now?

Sharing is caring

facebookX (twitter)pinterestinstagramyoutubemixflipboardMastodonThreadsBlue SkyFollow us

Other popular Purple Travel Guides you may be interested in:

Like this Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel Guide? Pin these for later:

Backpack and Snorkel Tikal Travel Guide - Tikal Purple Travel Guide
Backpack and Snorkel Tikal Travel Guide - Tikal Purple Travel Guide
Backpack and Snorkel Tikal Travel Guide - Tikal Purple Travel Guide
Backpack and Snorkel Tikal Travel Guide - Tikal Purple Travel Guide
Backpack and Snorkel Online Travel Store - Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides - Purple Travel Guides and more