Tikal is one of the largest Maya cities, in the heart of the Petén forest in northern Guatemala. The national park opens every day from 6 am to 6 pm, with special entries at sunrise (4–6 am) and sunset (6–8 pm); a foreign visitor pays 150 quetzales for entry, plus 100 quetzales for a sunrise or sunset slot, according to the official ticket office of the Ministry of Culture. This page covers the official tickets (and the traps to avoid), the monuments, getting there from Flores and sunrise and sunset times month by month.
Tikal is the big site of the north of the country: see our Guatemala travel guide, our page on the best time to visit Guatemala and the map of Guatemala.
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Tikal: key facts
- Hours: every day 6 am–6 pm; sunrise entry 4–6 am; sunset entry 6–8 pm — checked on 27 October 2026 on boletos.culturaguate.com
- Foreign visitor prices: park entry Q150; sunrise or sunset supplement Q100; museum Q30; Uaxactún Q50; camping Q50 — checked on 27 October 2026 on boletos.culturaguate.com
- Free: children under 10 (no ticket needed)
- Guide: compulsory for the sunrise and sunset tours, not included in the ticket, to be hired at the entrance or through an authorized operator
- Validity: ticket usable within 30 days of purchase, but only on the day it is validated; no refunds
Tikal at a glance
Inhabited from the 6th century BC to the 10th century AD, Tikal was a major Maya political, economic and military center, according to UNESCO, which listed it as a World Heritage Site in 1979 for both its cultural and natural value. The national park, created in 1955 and Guatemala’s first protected area, covers 57,600 hectares (142,334 acres). A central urban zone of about 400 hectares (988 acres) brings together palaces, temples, ceremonial platforms, ball courts and plazas. The inscriptions trace 1,161 years of dynastic history and 33 rulers, from Stela 29 (292) to Stela 11 (869), again according to UNESCO.
The ancient name of the city was Yax Mutal; « Tikal » was given to it after its rediscovery in the 1840s (Wikipedia). With no river or lake nearby, the city lived on rainwater stored in reservoirs, the « aguadas ».
What to see at Tikal
The Great Plaza
The ceremonial heart of the site, it is framed by two temple-pyramids facing each other, the North Acropolis and the Central Acropolis. It is the landmark for getting your bearings: most visits start here.
The Lost World (Mundo Perdido)
This complex, cited by UNESCO among the site’s outstanding groups alongside the Great Plaza and the twin-pyramid complexes, is among the oldest at Tikal.
The twin-pyramid complexes
A feature of Tikal, these groups of two identical pyramids facing each other marked the end of cycles in the Maya calendar. Several lie along the causeways that link the groups.
The forest and wildlife
The park shelters more than 300 bird species, five big cats including the jaguar and the puma, several monkey species and more than 2,000 higher plants, according to UNESCO. Howler monkeys, coatis, ocellated turkeys and toucans are often seen while walking between the groups.
The museums
Two museums (Sylvanus G. Morley and the Lithic Museum, according to information published by the park) complete the visit; entry requires a specific ticket of Q30 for foreigners, in addition to the park entrance.
Official tickets: how to avoid mistakes
Tickets are sold by the Ministry of Culture and Sports on its official ticket office, boletos.culturaguate.com. Three rules, read in its FAQ (checked on 27 October 2026 on boletos.culturaguate.gob.gt):
- Buy the « Extranjeros » (foreigners) category: a foreigner who presents a « nacionales » ticket is refused entry, with no refund.
- The official ticket is a PDF (form 63A2), presented with your passport; screenshots and bank statements are not accepted.
- The sunrise and sunset tours, camping, the museums and Uaxactún all require the park entrance ticket first. A 2.30% surcharge applies to international cards.
| Ticket (foreigners) | Official price |
|---|---|
| Park entry | Q150 |
| Sunrise tour (4–6 am) | Q100 |
| Sunset tour (6–8 pm) | Q100 |
| Museum | Q30 |
| Uaxactún | Q50 |
| Camping | Q50 |
| Child under 10 | Free |
Booking a guide or tour at Tikal
The ticket office does not supply a guide. You can hire one at the park entrance or book a tour with an authorized operator, often departing from Flores. Check whether park entry is included, the departure time (essential for sunrise), the guide’s language and the cancellation terms.
Sunrise and sunset at Tikal, month by month
The special slots (4–6 am and 6–8 pm) are only worthwhile if the sun rises or sets within that slot. We calculated the times for the 15th of each month.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6:31 am | 5:44 pm | 11 h 13 |
| February | 6:24 am | 6:00 pm | 11 h 35 |
| March | 6:06 am | 6:08 pm | 12 h 02 |
| April | 5:42 am | 6:14 pm | 12 h 32 |
| May | 5:26 am | 6:23 pm | 12 h 56 |
| June | 5:24 am | 6:33 pm | 13 h 09 |
| July | 5:32 am | 6:36 pm | 13 h 04 |
| August | 5:41 am | 6:24 pm | 12 h 42 |
| September | 5:46 am | 6:00 pm | 12 h 14 |
| October | 5:51 am | 5:36 pm | 11 h 45 |
| November | 6:03 am | 5:22 pm | 11 h 20 |
| December | 6:20 am | 5:26 pm | 11 h 07 |
What to take from it: the sun rises between about 5:20 and 6:30 am according to this calculation, so always within the official 4–6 am slot or just after it. Sunset, between about 5:20 and 6:40 pm, falls within the evening slot from March to August; in winter it happens before 6 pm, during normal opening hours. Under the forest canopy, morning mist often hides the sun. For the seasons, see the best time to visit Guatemala.
Getting there from Flores
The official portal places the park in the Petén department, 484 km (301 mi) from Guatemala City (9 hours) and 63 km (39 mi) from Flores (1 hour). You reach Flores by bus from the capital or by plane to Mundo Maya International Airport; from Flores, take the CA-13 road towards Melchor de Mencos, then the turn-off at Ixlú towards El Remate, which leads to the entrance. Shared and private minibuses run every day (checked on 27 October 2026 on boletos.culturaguate.com).
Entry requirements and safety
Entry requirements, health and safety advice apply at country level: see entry requirements for Guatemala on our country page. Before you go, also consider travel insurance covering medical assistance and repatriation.
Common mistakes at Tikal
- Buying a cheaper « nacionales » ticket: entry is refused to foreigners, with no refund.
- Booking the sunrise tour without a park entrance ticket or a guide: both are compulsory.
- Presenting a screenshot instead of the official PDF.
- Underestimating the heat and humidity: bring water, insect repellent and walking shoes.
- Climbing structures that are not authorized: follow the open stairs and paths.
What to see around Tikal
The Uaxactún site, to the north, can be visited with a specific ticket. To the east, Belize is a neighbor, and to the northwest the Mexican Yucatán holds other great Maya cities. For the rest of the country, see our Guatemala guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Tikal cost to enter?
Q150 for a foreign visitor, according to the official ticket office consulted on 27 October 2026. Sunrise or sunset tours cost Q100 more; children under 10 enter free.
What are the opening hours of Tikal?
Every day from 6 am to 6 pm, with a sunrise entry from 4 to 6 am and a sunset entry from 6 to 8 pm.
Do you need a guide to visit Tikal?
Not for a daytime visit. A guide is compulsory for the sunrise and sunset tours; it is not included in the ticket.
How do you get to Tikal from Flores?
By the CA-13 road, then the Ixlú turn-off towards El Remate; the official portal gives 63 km (39 mi) and about 1 hour. Shared and private minibuses run every day.
How long is the ticket valid?
It can be used within 30 days of purchase, but only on the day it is validated at the entrance.
Our sources
- Ministry of Culture and Sports of Guatemala, official ticket office (hours, foreign visitor prices, FAQ, access), consulted on 27 October 2026
- UNESCO, « Tikal National Park » (description, values, management), consulted on 27 October 2026
- Wikipedia article « Tikal » (ancient name, reservoirs, coordinates), consulted on 27 October 2026
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, applied by Destination de Voyage to the coordinates of Tikal (Wikipedia) (15th of each month, year 2027, clear horizon)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices and hours may change: check the official website before you go.