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Ready to explore the ancient site of Tikal, Guatemala?
Good! It’s a must-visit destination, and it’s as fascinating as it is beautiful. However, the park is absolutely huge and it’s easy to get lost, so we highly recommend visiting with a guided tour! We also loved visiting Tikal with a guided tour as we got so much more out of our visit by learning about its rich history.
We’ve rounded up our top 5 Tikal tours to help you ensure the ancient site to the fullest. Whether you’re a budget traveler, exploring with the family, or after a more luxurious, private experience, we’ve got you covered.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this sunrise tour of Tikal. You’ll climb the most famous temple to watch the sunrise from the top, explore the jungle to see wildlife, and you’re guaranteed to be in a small group.
Check out the 200+ 5-star reviews and book it here!
Tip: Reserve this tour early to guarantee your spot and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
1. Small Group or Private Tikal Sunrise Tour with Wildlife Spotting
- Price: $54 – $212 USD per person
- Duration: 6 hours
- Time: Pick up between 2:30-4 am
- Highlights: Watch the sunrise from the top of a pyramid, spot tropical wildlife, learn the history of the ancient city
- Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, breakfast, lunch, English-speaking guide, map, water refills, mosquito repellent
- Pickup from: Tikal, El Remate, Flores, or San Andres Peten
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Sunrise is our favorite time to visit Tikal, so it’s no wonder that this tour is our top choice! It’s a true bucket list experience because you get to watch the sunrise over the ancient city and the surrounding jungle from Temple IV – aka the Temple of the Double Headed Serpent. How cool is that?
It’s certainly cool in my book, because this temple is actually the tallest one the Mayans ever built. Yes, ever! The views from up here just blew me away, and climbing up for sunrise truly took it to the next level.
After an epic sunrise, Marlon guided us around the ancient city. I honestly don’t think there’s a better guide out there, because not only is he kind, enthusiastic, and super entertaining, but he also has a Master’s degree in Mayan studies. Trust me, this guy knows his stuff!
I’m not just talking about Mayan history, either. We went into the jungle surrounding the temple where Marlon helped us to spot tons of creatures, including coatis, monkeys, and tons of colorful birds. Being there so early in the morning meant that we had the jungle to ourselves, and I’m sure that’s why we saw so much wildlife.
Basically, this tour gets our stamp of approval ten times over! We would recommend it to anyone, and we would definitely do it again. Prices vary a lot depending on where you’re staying, and whether or not you opt to make this a private tour. But either way, this tour is a must-do!
Easily book our FAVORITE tour of Tikal right here!
2. Tikal Sunset Archaeology and Wildlife Tour
- Price: $47 – $451 USD per person
- Duration: 6 hours
- Time: 12 pm
- Highlights: Spotting exotic wildlife, exploring the jungle, watching sunset from the top of the Pyramid, exploring Tikal at a quieter time of day, learning a lot of history
- Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, English-speaking guide, map, water refills, mosquito repellent
- Pickup from: Tikal, El Remate, Flores, San Andres Peten, Belize Border, San Ignacio
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If you can’t go to Tikal at sunrise, go at sunset instead!
Due to a later start time, this sunset tour also picks up travelers from Belize. So if you’re only able to come to Guatemala for a day, this tour is an absolute must. You really can’t miss Tikal, and seeing it at sunset is a jaw-dropping experience.
The tour kicks off around midday and includes lunch at a local restaurant right by the park. This tour is also often led by Marlon, who was the guide on our sunrise tour that we loved so much. So, you’ll be in excellent hands as you explore the jungle and spot lots of exotic wildlife. Marlon was great at keeping our group away from the crowds, and on the sunset tour, he’ll ensure that you beat the heat by staying in the cool, shady jungle until the heat subsides.
Then, when the crowds disperse, you’ll suddenly have Tikal all to yourself! Exploring the ancient city is so fascinating at any time of day but it’s much easier to concentrate and enjoy yourself when it’s cooler. This is so much better than traipsing around in the heat, and a real advantage of booking this tour.
The highlight of the tour, though, is right at the end as you watch the sunset from the highest point in the park: Pyramid IV. The climb up here itself is really cool but watching the sunset over this ancient city is an absolute knockout.
For that reason, this tour does tend to sell out, much like its sunrise counterpart. We recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment because not every tour is as incredible as this one.
Book this sunset tour right here and you can choose to pay later!
Related Read: For all the tips on this part of Guatemala, check out our full guide on visiting Tikal!
3. Tikal Daytime Small Group or Private Tour
- Price: $45 – $444 USD
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Time: 9:30 am
- Highlights: Spotting exotic wildlife in the jungle, exploring Tikal with a knowledgeable guide, learning a lot of history
- Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, English-speaking guide, map, water refills, mosquito repellent
- Pickup from: Tikal, El Remate, Flores, San Andres Peten, Belize border, San Ignacio
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 50+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If you’d rather see Tikal in the daylight, then this tour is our top pick for you! It’s also a good option for budget travelers, as the Tikal entry fees are cheaper during the day than at sunrise and sunset, and these are usually paid for separately.
This is also a more suitable choice for travelers with mobility issues because you don’t climb up Temple IV on this tour. The climb is hard work and it’s not for everyone, so we love that this tour caters to those who aren’t able to cope with that many stairs.
Alberto is such a passionate guide who goes the extra mile to ensure his guests have a great day. He’s so knowledgeable, too, and will get you fired up about Tikal, even if you’re not much of a history buff. In fact, I can safely say that learning so much about the mysterious ancient city is what made us fall in love with this place. Sure, it’s a very beautiful ancient site, but going with a guide really brought it to life!
Then, after the tour, your group will sit down for lunch at a lovely local restaurant to relax and debrief. As much as we love visiting Tikal at sunrise or sunset, we think that this is the best choice for those who aren’t up for climbing up the huge pyramid.
Book this tour and uncover the mystery and magic of Tikal!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
4. Private VIP Tour of Tikal
- Price: $120 USD
- Duration: 7-8 hours
- Time: Multiple departure times between 6:45-10:30 am
- Highlights: Flexible itinerary, exploring Tikal with a guide, exploring jungle trails and ancient architecture
- Inclusions: Hotel or airport pickup and drop-off, lunch, Tikal entry fee, private driver and guide Pickup from: Flores, Santa Elena, Tikal, El Remate, San Miguel
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 290+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Our top choice for families wanting to explore Tikal is this private tour! If you’re looking to make memories as a family without the struggle of getting the kids up early or keeping them up late, then going on a private tour during the day is a great choice.
What’s great about a private tour is that it keeps things flexible. You can choose a pickup time that suits you, linger for longer around the parts of the ancient city that interest you the most, and set the pace according to your needs.
Don’t feel like climbing up any of the temples? No worries.
Feel like climbing up them all? That’s good, too!
You can also opt to go to the museum outside the park entrance or spend longer exploring the jungle trails, spotting wildlife. Personally, this was one of our favorite parts of visiting Tikal. We saw tarantulas, monkeys, and even colorful ocellated turkeys – yes, really!
There’s also a lot to be said for having a private guide without having to compete with other guests for attention. So if you want to feel like a VIP and do Tikal completely your way, then I would highly recommend this tour.
Book this tour here to guarantee your spot and get free cancellation!
5. Private Sunset Tour of Tikal
- Price: $140 USD
- Duration: 7-8 hours
- Time: 1 pm
- Highlights: Exploring Tikal with a private guide, spotting wildlife, sunset from the top of the tallest-ever Mayan pyramid
- Inclusions: Hotel or airport pickup and drop-off, lunch, Tikal entry fee, private driver and guide, digital photos
- Pickup from: Flores, Santa Elena, Remate
- Rating: 5 Stars (Check reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Throughout this blog, we’ve made no secret of the fact that we consider sunrise and sunset the best times to visit Tikal. So if group tours aren’t your thing, then why not book this private sunset tour?
Private tours are always a treat, and visiting Tikal at sunset is just phenomenal, so this tour delivers an unforgettable experience on all fronts! For those looking to do Tikal in style, this is a fantastic choice.
And if you’re hoping to get tons of epic photos from your visit to Tikal, there’s really no better choice. The guides on this tour are happy to snap photos for you, and since this is a private experience, you’ll be sure to get all of the shots that you want.
Learning about Tikal with a personalized tour is a wonderful experience, and there’s plenty of time to spot wildlife in the surrounding jungle, too. But the highlight of this tour is, of course, watching the sunset from the top of the Lost World Pyramid. This is set a little further apart from the other pyramids and tends to be quieter at sunset, so you’ll feel like you have Tikal all to yourself from up here.
So if stunning photos, the VIP treatment, and breathtaking sunsets are your thing, snap up this Tikal private tour today. It’s too good of a deal to pass up!
Book your private sunset tour easily here!
Related Read: For a step-by-step guide to the best trip, check out our ideal 10-Day Guatemala Itinerary!
Where to Stay Near Tikal
Now that you’re all prepped for your visit to Tikal, it’s time to find a great place to stay! I recommend finding a hotel or hostel in the town of Flores.
The main reason people stay in Flores is to visit the nearby ruins, but we found this little place really charming. Wandering the cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and of course taking in the views of the lake are just a few of the reasons I fell in love with Flores!
There are plenty of options for all budgets in this small town and it puts you within an hour’s drive from the ruins. Plus, lots of tours (including all the ones we mentioned above) pick up from hotels in Flores. To help you decide where to stay, these are our top picks!
Hotel Isla de Flores – $$$
There aren’t many luxury options in Flores, however, Hotel Isla de Flores is one of the few. The hotel has a beautiful rooftop terrace with a pool, a highly-rated restaurant and bar, as well as huge spacious rooms decorated to make you feel as though you’re at the beach.
Overall, it’s a great choice that comes much cheaper than most luxury hotels! Book online here.
Hotel Casazul – $$
For mid-range budget travelers, Hotel Casazul is hard to beat. It’s a lakefront hotel that’s decorated beautifully. The view from the upper balcony is also one of the best in town. The reviews speak for themself too! Check out the reviews and book Hotel Casazul here.
Hotel Petén Express – $
For budget travelers, Hotel Petén Express is the perfect option. The hostel is located right on the lake, has a pool, a social bar, and a restaurant. The premises are clean and rooms are modern and spacious. They only have dorm rooms but this hostel is amazing! You can book on Booking.com and Hostelworld.
Los Amigos Hostel – $
With a huge garden and an amazing bar and restaurant, this is the place to stay if you want to meet other travelers. Los Amigos Hostel has tons of different rooms available including dorms and large private suites – there is something for everyone! This is easily one of the most popular places to stay in Flores.
You can book Los Amigos Hostel on Booking.com and Hostelworld.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Taking a tour to Tikal is SO worth it to explore these amazing ancient ruins. The history here is incredible and we learned so much from our guide that made us appreciate what we were seeing even more. Hopefully, you found the perfect tour for your trip!
If you’re exploring Central America, have a look through our other Guatemala blogs. We’ve spent a lot of time traveling around this part of the world and have lots of tips and inspiration to help you plan your adventure.
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