Tikal National Park, National park and Maya archaeological site in Peten, Guatemala
The protected area spans 575 square kilometers of rainforest containing over 3,000 structures from the ancient Maya civilization spread across 16 square kilometers.
The settlement began around 900 BC and developed into a major urban center, reaching its peak between 200-900 AD with an estimated population of 100,000 inhabitants.
The archaeological complex features numerous temples, including Temple I and Temple II, representing the architectural and engineering capabilities of Maya civilization.
The national park remains open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with guided tours available to explore both the archaeological structures and the surrounding wildlife.
Modern LiDAR scanning technology has revealed thousands of additional structures hidden beneath the forest canopy, indicating a much larger urban settlement than previously known.
Location: Petén Department
Website: https://mcd.gob.gt/tikal
GPS coordinates: 17.21667,-89.61667
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:42
Guatemala offers photographers a mix of pre-Columbian sites, volcanic landscapes, and colonial buildings. The geography ranges from highland towns to rainforests and coastal areas along the Pacific and Caribbean. Ancient Maya temples stand alongside Spanish-era churches, while indigenous markets and traditional villages show cultural life. The landscape is marked by active and dormant volcanoes, often surrounded by coffee plantations. Places like Antigua Guatemala display colonial architecture with cobblestone streets and courtyards. Lake Atitlán sits between mountains and smaller communities. Tikal and other archaeological sites in the north preserve Maya structures within jungle settings. Chichicastenango Market is known for woven textiles and incense. Pacaya and Acatenango are accessible volcanoes, while Semuc Champey offers natural pools in a limestone forest. The variety of regions makes Guatemala a country with different perspectives in short distances.
Tikal
954 m
Tikal Temple I
906 m
Petén Basin
46.4 km
Yaxha
28.1 km
Uaxactún
19.5 km
Naranjo
38.8 km
San Bartolo
43.3 km
Tikal Temple IV
1.6 km
Tikal Temple II
1 km
El Pilar
49.2 km
Tikal Temple V
821 m
Nakum
27.6 km
Tikal Temple 33
974 m
Tayasal
42.5 km
Tikal Temple III
1.2 km
Ixlu
28.2 km
La Blanca
39.5 km
Holtun
36.7 km
Xunantunich
52.5 km
Ucanal
48.2 km
Actún Can
45.8 km
Estadio Julián Tesucún
40.2 km
Sitio Arqueologico Yaxha
28.3 km
Yaxha Visitor Center
30.4 km
Museo Regional Del Mundo Maya
42 km
Parque Arqueológico Uaxactún
19.8 km
Playa Romelia
41.5 km
Great Plaza
951 mReviews
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