When we were planning our trip to Guatemala, we knew that one of the highlights would be the Unesco World Heritage site of the ancient Maya city of Tikal. Tikal lasted from 600 BC to 900 AD and, at its peak, had a population of 90,000 people. According to archeologists, the city was abandoned suddenly with no sign of attack.
There are a few hypotheses. Some archaeologists believe there was a great famine or an epidemic strike. Others believe the constant battling with foreign tribes drove the people away.
Warning: Gran Jaguar Tour Agency
Read the TripAdvisor forums before your trip. Many travelers were complaining of arranging their transportation from Flores to Tikal with a tour company called Gran Jaguar who collected money online and then never showed up. Our taxi from the airport offered us his services. Dan asked the name of his company and it wasn’t Gran Jaguar, so we took him up on it.
We told him about Gran Jaguar and he was shocked. He’s friends with the people from Gran Jaguar but didn’t know what they were doing. Dan checked the forums for a while after our trip and people were complaining about new incidents.
The National Tree of Guatemala
The Ceiba tree is the national tree of Guatemala. The Maya believed its roots went down to the underworld (Xibalbá) and that Xtabay, the malignant demon, lived in it.
Continued
When you arrive at the park, you hire one of the licensed guides to take you through the park. There are jaguars in the park so it is better to be accompanied by someone who knows the area. Our guide Jesus was very knowledgeable but only speaks Spanish, but you can find guides who speak English, too.
The pyramids of Mexico and Guatemala do not look like those in Egypt. This style is called talud tablero, which is built in steps.
Fact: The Maya and Rubber
To the left of the pyramid ahead was the ball field. The ancient Maya, like the Inca, played with rubber balls. The Inca even had rubber-soled shoes! To create rubber from the sap of the rubber tree, you need a process for it to coagulate. The Maya and the Inca added sulfur from Morning Glory vines. They were using rubber for over 1,000 years before it was being used in the western world!
These animals are called coati. A band of about 20 of them ran out of nowhere, startling all of us tourists. Coati are from the raccoon species, and they’re very fast. I read later that they’re in Venezuela, too, but I’ve never seen them.
The Island of Flores
Flores is a colorful tourist island in lake Petén-Itza. Many tourists stay here when they visit Tikal.
The other option, which many prefer, is to stay at one of the three sanctioned hotels in Tikal National Park, where you sleep in the jungle with the sounds of the animals and the chance to wake up bright and early to see the spectacular sunrise. These hotels, though, do not have air conditioning and Tikal is a hot and sticky place. We stayed in Flores and after a long, hot day in Tikal, we were grateful to have air conditioning!
The best way to get to the Petén Province is by a one-hour plane ride. Driving can take from 8-10 hours. You’ll need your energy for the long walks and steep climbs in the hot, humid weather.
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Wonderful post and photos! Makes me want to hop on a plane now.
So many countries to see and only a lifetime to do it all in…
I know the feeling. We’d be criss-crossing though because I’d be going to southern Italy…
Avianca, great airline.
Yes, I agree. This flight was under an hour but still a great flight.
Great post, dear. 90,000 people, how amazing is that!
And that tree has just shot me down.
The tree was an unexpected part of a magical visit!
Looks equally magical.
Isn’t it incredible how ancient civilizations figured out how to make things, like rubber soles, for example?! Was Jesus prepared if you came upon a jaguar? Awesome pix and post, as usual, Aixa!!
😂 I thought about this and I think that Jesus kept us from wandering in a wrong direction that could have been dangerous. He also had communication with other guides so they could tell each other if they had spotted one.
Oh gotcha! When I read “He also had communication…” I thought “so he could let people know we were being eaten.” 🙂 Glad you weren’t eaten!! <3
😆😅 I think you would have bitten the jaguar right back 😜😆
You might be right!!! 😂😂😂
Awesome post and super shots Aixa! 🙂
I hope Jesus was prepared and well trained to tackle a Jaguar? 😉 😛
😂 That is definitely the $1,000,000 question! I think he knew where to guide us so we wouldn’t get lost and end up in more dangerous areas. He and the other guides could also radio each other if they spotted one.
Hehe, I am sure! 😉
I am just happy that you are safe and sound posting about your “brave-heart” travelogues! 🙂
Richa, I truly enjoy your way with words!
Aww.. Thank you so much!💕
(And I enjoy your posts! So informative and interesting!)😇
90k is a big city for that period. I can only emagine the civilization and way of living.
Great post as always 👍
Yes, it was huge and the history of how it emerged and then disappeared was so interesting. Before the trip, my husband listened to a 24-hour audio book by an archeoligist about the topic.
To me this is an exotic journey! A real adventure. A very informative post with useful advice. Not to mention the wonderful pictures. The city and the huge tree are among the highlights. Great post!
Thank you, Isabelle! This was a very memorable trip, from beginning to end!
I can feel it! When the youngest is getting a bit older, we’ll give it a try.
Your posts are always so helpful! I think any in any country, foreign tourists can get taken advantage of–gotta be on your toes! Lovely photos, Aixa!
Thank you, Terri. That’s the danger of straying from the known to the unknown…
Thanks for your insight of Tikal and Flores. I was there twice, beginning of the 1990s and about 10 years ago. And I really liked it. Especially at the first time it was for me like magic. And it is good, that you speak out a warning. I will go to Colombia and Brazil soon for work and I am looking forward for it because also in this countries I was for the last time in 1996.
Good travels and greetings from Germany.
Sabine
Yes, I understand that magical feeling! Enjoy Colombia and Brazil. Brazil is at the top of my list of places to visit and Colombia is a possible near-future home, since the culture is so similar to mine…
I am curious how your decision will be. Sure you keep me posted on your Blog!? All the best to you from Germany.
We have to narrow down our list, but Colombia is very high, also because it’s so close to Venezuela (my native country).