Tikal National Park

Tikal National Park is a nature reserve and archaeological site in the rainforest of Petén with thousands of masonry structures from ancient times. The site combines dense forest landscape with pyramids, palaces, and smaller structures scattered across different locations.

People settled here around 900 BC and gradually built it into a major center that peaked between the 3rd and 10th centuries. Later the city was abandoned and the forest reclaimed the area until modern rediscovery.

The buildings here show how the Maya organized their city and what skills they had as builders and planners. You can see how different the structures are and what role religious buildings played in daily life.

The area is large and takes time to explore, so arriving early gives you the best light and less crowding during the day. Sturdy footwear and insect protection are essential since you walk through forest terrain.

Hidden beneath the tree canopy are countless unseen structures revealed only by modern sensor technology, showing the city was far larger than what you can see walking around. This changes our understanding of how densely populated this place once was.