Tikal Day Trip: Maya Ruins & Jungle Wildlife Tour

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/21

Duration9h 30m

GroupUp to 15

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Walk among four-story pyramids rising above the jungle, then spot howler monkeys and toucans on the forest trails between them.

A full-day tour from San Ignacio to Tikal National Park in Guatemala combines ancient Maya archaeology with rainforest wildlife in a single outing. Hotel pickup and drop-off, park entry, a local guide, and lunch at a restaurant near the site are included; the tour handles the border crossing so you don't have to. The day runs about nine and a half hours and requires a moderate level of fitness for walking the trails and climbing temple steps.

9h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Tikal Ancient Maya City

Cross border from Belize to Guatemala
Visit Tikal Rainforest Trails and wildlife
Explore Ancient Maya Causeways
See the Central Acropolis and North Acropolis
Visit Temple I, the Great Jaguar
View Temple II, the Masks
Climb Temple IV for jungle views

The Experience

The tour starts with pickup at your San Ignacio hotel and a drive to the Guatemala border. Once across, you head into Tikal National Park, where a local guide leads you through the rainforest to the site's major structures. Temple IV, the tallest building at Tikal, rises above the canopy and offers views across the jungle; Temple I (the Temple of the Great Jaguar) and Temple II frame the Great Plaza, the ceremonial heart of the ancient city. Between the pyramids, the rainforest trails pass through sections where howler monkeys, spider monkeys, toucans, and coatis move through the trees — wildlife sightings are common but not guaranteed.

Lunch happens at a local restaurant, where you can choose a main dish with a soda or juice included. The guide explains Maya history and culture throughout the day, and the pace suits travelers of all ages, though the forest walking and temple climbing do require moderate fitness. You'll also see the ancient Maya causeways — raised stone roadways that once connected different sections of the city — and the sprawling palace complexes of the Central and North Acropolis where Maya royalty lived.

The return journey crosses back into Belize and brings you to your hotel by late afternoon. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels within San Ignacio town limits; hotels outside town incur a surcharge. A current valid passport is required. The tour operates with a minimum of two passengers, and the operator provides air-conditioned transport; bring a water bottle for refills along the way.

What’s included

Hotel pickup and drop-off within San Ignacio town limits.
entrance fee to Tikal National Park.
a local guide fluent in English or Spanish.
lunch at a local restaurant with a choice of main dish and a soda or juice.
air-conditioned transport in a minivan or SUV.
water refills along the way.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Belize Family Adventure

Is this one for you?You'll move at your own pace through Tikal's pyramids and jungle trails with a guide focused entirely on your group, while we handle the Guatemala border crossing and all logistics.