2-Day Tikal and Yaxhá Tour from Flores Island

Two days inside the Petén jungle, ending at sunset on a pyramid overlooking the lagoon.

A 2-day tour from Flores Island to Tikal and Yaxhá national parks with certified guides, park admission, one hotel night and meals. Day one takes you through Tikal's central plazas and five temples on jungle trails. Day two ends with sunset from Temple 216 at Yaxhá, framed by the lagoon. A moderate level of physical fitness is needed for the hikes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tikal Heart of the Mayan World

• Meet on Flores Island or airport
• Board bus to Tikal National Park
• Arrive at Visitor Center and explore
• Pass ticket control and start hike
• Visit central plaza and temples
• Learn about flora, fauna, and history
• Return to Visitor Center for lunch

Day 2: Yaxhá National Park Visit

• Morning free time or optional tour
• Depart for Yaxhá at noon
• Stop for lunch at Las Gardenias Restaurant
• Drive to Yaxhá National Park Visitor Center
• Complete ticket control and survey
• Walk through Yaxhá with local guide
• Climb Temple of the Red Hands
• Watch sunset over Yaxhá lagoon
• Return to Flores

The experience

The tour departs Flores Island at 8am on day one, heading ninety minutes by air-conditioned bus to Tikal National Park. After the visitor center, your guide leads you through the jungle to the Central Plaza, Temple I (Great Jaguar), Temple II, the North Acropolis, Temple IV, the Lost World and Temple V. Each stop explains the Mayan architecture, the forest's fauna and flora, and the site's history. Lunch at the park restaurant follows the hike, then you return to Flores for the night at one of three partner hotels.

Day two starts with optional free time at your hotel or a separate tour of Lake Petén Itza. At noon the bus heads toward Yaxhá, stopping at Las Gardenias Restaurant for lunch (twenty minutes, or you can take a box lunch to carry). The last eleven kilometers to Yaxhá are unpaved dirt road. Once at the park, your guide walks you through plazas and ball courts while the light drops. The hike ends at Temple 216 (called the Temple of the Red Hands), where you climb to watch the sun set over the Yaxhá lagoon before returning to Flores.

The bus carries a cooler of purified water and snacks throughout both days. The vehicle holds passenger insurance and authorization from the Guatemalan Tourism Institute. The operator holds the Tourist Biosecurity and Safe Travel Seals from the World Travel Tourism Council.

What’s included

• One night at a partner hotel in Flores.
• air-conditioned bus transport from Flores Island to both parks and back.
• certified guide in English or Spanish throughout both days.
• entry tickets to Tikal and Yaxhá national parks.
• lunch at Tikal Park Restaurant on day one and at Las Gardenias on day two.
• cooler with purified water and snacks on the bus.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesUp to age 70

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Mayan World Travel Agency Tours And Treks

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in or near Flores Island and don't have a car. The two-day structure means you see both Tikal and Yaxhá without the cost and logistics of separate trips, and the included hotel night lets you rest between days rather than rushing back to town.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What's the difference between Tikal and Yaxhá, why visit both in one tour?

Tikal is the larger and more famous site, with five major temples and plazas spread across the jungle. Yaxhá is smaller and less crowded, known for its pyramid temples and the lagoon views. Combining both lets you see two distinct Mayan centers in a single trip without returning to Flores between them.

How much walking and climbing is involved each day?

Day one is a full hike through Tikal's trails and temple complexes, visiting multiple structures and plazas over several hours. Day two is shorter, focused on the walk through Yaxhá's plazas and the climb up Temple 216 to catch the sunset. The operator recommends at least moderate physical fitness. The hikes are not strenuous but involve uneven jungle terrain and steps.

Do I need to arrange my own hotel, or is it included?

One night's hotel is included in the tour price. You stay at Hotel La Posada de Don José, Hotel Tah Itza or Hotel Mirador de Lago in Flores between day one and day two. The operator assigns the hotel.

What if I'm staying outside Flores Island? Where does the tour pick me up?

The meeting point is on Flores Island or at Mundo Maya International Airport. If you're staying at a hotel in Flores, you meet the group on the island at 8am. If you're arriving by air, the tour can pick you up at the airport instead. If your hotel checkout is tight, you can leave luggage at the operator's office on Flores while you tour.

Is the sunset at Yaxhá guaranteed, or does weather affect it?

The tour is timed to reach Temple 216 at sunset, but weather can obscure the view. The hike and temple visit happen regardless. The sunset itself depends on cloud cover and conditions on the day you travel.

What's included in the meals, and are there vegetarian options?

Lunch on day one at Tikal Park Restaurant offers grilled meat, grilled chicken or vegetarian plates. On day two, lunch at Las Gardenias Restaurant is your choice to eat there (twenty minutes) or take a box lunch with you. Drinks and snacks travel with you on the bus both days.