Magical Tikal

“Trip highlight alert from deep within the rainforest”

You've seen one Mayan ruin, you've seen 'em all. Wrong!

After visiting Teotihuacán, Palenque, Tulum and Chichen Itza in Mexico, I thought ancient Mayan ruins couldn't get any better. That was, until we explored Tikal in Guatemala.

Tikal was mesmerising - completely and utterly mesmerising.

Built in 300BC, amongst dense jungle and with no natural water sources, there is still no explanation for why the Mayans chose to build a city here. At its height in 700AD, there were reportedly 100,000 people living in this 140km squared square jungle city. 

Today, only 10% of Tikal has been revealed. The other 90% remains covered by jungle; we're talking entire pyramids, temples and villages. We can thank the 36 year civil war in Guatemala for this (1960 - 1996) as all restoration efforts were abandoned. 

Despite that, you'll be impressed by what you do see. Imagine this: 

Walking into the jungle with the afternoon light teasing out every shade of green in the jungle. Families of spider monkeys swinging between the trees, toucan birds showing off their colours on the temple steps, howler monkeys laying a terrifying soundtrack to this enchanting scene, and 70 metre pyramids tower over their beloved jungle. It's a wonderfully enchanting place. 

But the real magic starts when the sun starts to set behind the endless stretch of jungle. The moon takes a commanding position over the pyramids as the light starts to change from vibrant orange hues to soft pinks. The cicada orchestra begins to rise and the fireflies start to dance in the new night air. Even a gigantic tarantula crosses our path for an extra bit of spook.

Yes, walking the ancient Mayan road into Tikal to sunset and out under the light of the moon is quite magical indeed. 


Do it: The sunset tour is incredible. It sounds like a total tourist trap but it's not. Book it from Los Amigos. Q$110 tour price and Q$150 entrance fee. Our guide was beyond amazing.