Tikal and Yaxha Private Tour from Flores: Two Mayan Sites

Two archaeological sites in one day: Tikal's 3,000 structures and Yaxha's lakeside temples

A private tour from Flores to Tikal National Park and Yaxha archaeological site in Petén, Guatemala, with a specialized guide in archaeology, lunch at a restaurant within Tikal, and air-conditioned transport. The tour runs eight to ten hours and covers 575 square kilometers of jungle ruins in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve, visiting the central urban area of Tikal and then Yaxha, which sits between two lakes visible from temple summits. Pickup is included from Flores, Santa Elena, El Remate or the airport. The minimum group size is two travelers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Tikal and Yaxha National Parks

• Pick up at Flores or airport
• Buy entrance tickets at Tikal checkpoint
• Tour Tikal National Park ruins
• Lunch at nearby restaurant
• Transfer to Yaxha National Park
• Buy entrance tickets at Yaxha checkpoint
• Tour Yaxha archaeological site
• Return to Flores hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup between 6:30 and 7:00 am from your hotel or airport in Flores, followed by a drive to Tikal's checkpoint to purchase entrance tickets. By 8:30 am you're walking the urban area of Tikal National Park itself, where the guide points out the most impressive structures within the central 16 square kilometers that hold 3,000 buildings. The park covers 575 square kilometers of jungle and is part of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve, a one-million-hectare protected forest created in 1990. The tour of Tikal ends around 12:30 pm, and you return to the parking area for lunch at a restaurant within the park.

After lunch at 1:30 pm, the vehicle heads toward Yaxha, an archaeological site about an hour away. Yaxha sits between two lakes, and from the top of some temples you can see both bodies of water. The site is also within the Mayan Biosphere Reserve, the second-largest preserved jungle in the Americas. You arrive at Yaxha's checkpoint around 2:30 pm and begin the tour of the urban center around 3:00 pm. The Yaxha portion ends by 6:00 pm, and the drive back to Flores takes two hours, arriving around 8:00 pm. Your guide speaks English or Spanish and is specialized in archaeology, so the context for what you're seeing comes throughout the day.

Bring cash for park entrance fees (there are no ATMs inside either site), and pack water, snacks, sturdy shoes, rain jacket, sunscreen, insect repellent and a flashlight. Children over ten years old require an entrance ticket. Children under five do not. The tour requires a minimum of two travelers to run. If that minimum is not met, you'll be offered another date, a different experience, or a full refund.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from your hotel or airport in Flores, Santa Elena or El Remate.
• specialized guide in archaeology speaking English or Spanish.
• entrance to Tikal National Park and Yaxha National Park.
• lunch at a restaurant within Tikal National Park.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (18 to 95 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 25 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tikal Expedition

Is this one for you?The tour runs eight to ten hours with early morning pickup and evening return, so it suits travelers who can commit a full day and have moderate fitness for walking jungle terrain. Private transport means your group sets the pace at each site without waiting for other visitors.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): free.

Can I visit the museums at Tikal on this tour?

Museum tickets are sold separately at the Banrural mini agency and are valid from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm during museum hours. The tour schedule allows time to purchase them if you wish, but they are not included in the package.

What happens if it rains on the day of my tour?

Weather is required for the experience to proceed. If you cancel due to bad weather conditions, the operator will offer you another date or a full refund of the amount paid.

Do I need to bring my passport or ID?

Yes. Carry your identification for the purchase of park entrance tickets: nationals need their DPI (national ID) and foreigners need their passport. Children over ten years old also require an entrance ticket.