Tikal

It was in summer 2000: one of the most beautiful places in the worl.

Tikal is in the middle of a nature reserve, in the jungle. The walk to the site is amazing in itself, surrounded by the forest and the chattering of spider monkeys. Then, suddenly, between the trees, appears a pyramid. The sight is awe inspiring. Some of the buildings have been restaured, others still lie covered by the forest. One thing not to miss is to climb to the top of Temple IV. From there, you are above the canopy of the forest and can see a sea of green all around you, with the top of the other 4 temples reaching out. Under those trees, lies a whole forgotten city, one of the architectural masterpieces of an ancient civilization.

If you have time, stay overnight at Tikal – they have a mini hotel (otherwise you have to take a bus out). Staying overnight at Tikal is cool because:

- the electricity stops at midnight, and you can see the Milky Way brighter than anywhere else. there is NO light pollution here.

- seeing Tikal at daybreak is spectacular. wake up EARLY and climb to the top of one of the pyramids to see the sun rise…

incredible!

Be sure to give it plenty of time!

The ruins, the views, the forests, the wildlife…

I also had good experience with the guide.

AN UNFORGETABLE PLACE!!

I was there about 10 years ago. Climb to the top of Temple IV at sunset and watch darkness descend into the lush green canopy as you listen to pockets of howler monkeys throughout the jungle around you. The ruins of this ancient Mayan civilization will amaze you. Read up on it before you go and if you spend more than a day there, get a guide for part of it and ask informed questions. For the more adventuresome, know that you can camp onsite. I took a cab (of sorts) in from the Belizean border near San Ignacio. Besides having to wait on a few vaqueros and their herds taking up the dirt road, the ride in was fine (and relatively cheap). If you have the chance to go, I would highly recommend it.

as many folks have undoubtedly pointed out, this famous shot from Star Wars was taken at Tikal. I took this shot from approximately the same location where they filmed the footage-can’t remember the name of the pyramid we were on-anyway, there we are at one of the wonders of pre-colombiam America and everyone oohed and ahhed and talked about Star Wars. People from all over the world talking about Star Wars. We are everywhere. I AM your FATHER!

Tikal was primitive, and easily one of the beautiful places I’ve ever seen. (I grew up in Hawaii, and I’ve been to Europe, so I don’t say that lightly.) I’d love to go back because as we flew in over the jungle to get to what was then a rudimentary landing strip, (and eventually to the grounds and excavated ruins of Tikal,) I could see great mounds in the forest: pyramids to be uncovered. I read recently in National Geographic that excavation has continued in Central American jungles, and that what was covered by growth thirty years ago may now be seen. That would be extremely exciting to me, to go back and see it.

this was one of the most memorable places that I visited on the the “Ruta Maya”. I was stunned at how much more expansive it is than Teotihuacan. It is simply immense and awe-inspiring. Read about it before you go and perhaps take a guided tour. Be wary of guides that have gotten all of their “facts” from the books of Erik von Daniken.

Tip: avoid the bus trip from Ciudad de Guatemala; if you can afford to take a plane, I highly recommend that you do so! The buses in Guatemala are great for short trips between towns, but not for long distances. It was not uncommon to be accompanied by Chickens in the bus. In addition, the vast majority of buses that I took were basically American school buses.

As seen on Star Wars

Gave us the most amazing tour around this place! He just knows everything there is to know about the Maya by heart, and for only 10$ pp. gave us almost 6 hours of fun, fun, fun!