Tikal National Park & Flores Island, Guatemala Itinerary Jan 2024

 Tikal National Park & Flores Island, Guatemala Itinerary Jan 2024 

TIKAL NATIONAL PARK 

FLORES ISLAND

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ITINERARY: FOR HI RESOLUTION ITINERARY AND LINKS TO TOURS WE TOOK CLICK HERE: Itinerary for Tikal National Park & Flores Island, Guatemala

PHOTOS: See photos here: Tikal, Guatemala Instagram

DAY 1, 2 & 3 OF 10 DAY TRIP TO GUATEMALA

Other Guatemala Itineraries? See Antigua, Guatemala  & Acatenango Hike and/or  Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

AIRPORTS: There are two international airports in Guatemala: GUA & FRS

• Guatemala City (GUA) Airport: small airport. Long walk from plane to customs (uphill & downhill). Customs very fast. Has free WiFi throughout airport.
• We went from GUA Arrivals (lower level)--> walked outside & crossed the street to parking garage --> took elevator to departure level --> went to TAG Airlines check-in counter
• There's a separate entrance for domestic flights vs International.
• TIP: Domestic terminal: Be sure to buy any food/water before entering the terminal. There's no liquid limitations when flying domestically through Guatemala 
• Flores (FRS) Airport "Mundo Maya Intl Airport": Only one baggage claim. Tiny airport. Small cafe. 

  

  TAG AIRLINES PLANE

FLIGHTS: 

• TAG Airlines: Budget airlines. We bought the "light" fare and paid for a check-in bag up to 20 lbs. They allow only a backpack for carry-on up to 10lbs. We paid around $175-200 roundtrip per person (including extra bag/extra lbs)
• Luggage Notes: For the suitcase -- they are strict on weight. It is $3 USD per extra pound above 20lbs. They only weighed our suitcases, not our personal 25L backpack. 
• Note: We had 2 backpacks, 2 carry on suitcases (30lbs, 25lbs). From GUA to Flores, we rearranged our suitcases & the heavy items in our backpacks and did not have to pay. From Flores to GUA - they were more strict and ended up paying $3 per extra lbs for our checked-in suitcases.
• Tip: You can also bring another duffle bag and pay for another checked in bag for $20 up to 20 lbs at the check-in counter.
• Timing: We highly recommend getting to airport 2 hours before flight time if checking-in a bag. 
• Note: For example,  our flight time to depart was 7pm with an 8pm arrival time. The flight boarded at 6:15pm and we were already in flight by 6:40pm with arrival of 7:40pm. We had collected our checked-in luggage by 7:45pm

TRANSPORTATION: 

• Private/Shared Shuttle: Our hotel offered a free airport shuttle at set times; however, due to timings of our flight/suitcases, we paid to have a private driver from the airport to the hotel. It's only 10-15 min from airport to Flores Island.
• NOTE: In Flores, taxis/shuttles can't drive on the island - so, they will park next to "Letras Peten" and then you walk to your hotel 

Letras Peten

• Tuk Tuk: Another option to take to get to your hotel/airport/around the island. Cash only. They charge per person traveling. Make sure to confirm the price before using the tuk-tuk. If you don't understand Spanish, open your calculator app and the driver will write out the cost of the trip. 
  

  

  Inside the tuk tuk 

• Uber:  not available around Peten/Flores

HOTEL:  We stayed on Flores Island & highly recommend!! It's such a beautiful & walkable island with an excellent vibe. Most hotels do not have air conditioning (A/C) or elevators - but due to the humidity, we highly recommend finding a hotel that does include A/C! 

PAYMENT METHODS: 

• Cash: Recommend bringing $100 USD worth of Guatemalan Quetzals in small bills
• Use for Tuk-tuks, local stores to buy water bottles & tip for tour guides/drivers. Most restaurants we visited took credit card. 
• We exchanged cash before leaving to Guatemala through Bank of America. For money change, be sure to complete at least 2 weeks before trip to ensure the bank can get Guatemalan Quetzals in time. 
• Credit Cards: Some tour companies can charge 2-4% additional for using credit card instead of cash
•  Only use credit cards with 0% foreign transaction fee
• Tip: we got a better conversion rate charging in USD instead of Quetzals (opposite than most countries we have visited) 

SAFETY: Emergency phone number is 123 for Ambulance and 110 for police 

• Avoid anyone who comes up too close to you or offers candy. Say no and walk away. don't give reason for someone to target you. Ex. Don't hold your phone out taking photos/google maps without having a firm grip on your phone, no expensive jewelry etc.
• Belt bag - We wore a "belt purse" over one shoulder across chest to keep money / cell phone close
• We felt extremely safe and did not have any issues. Locals are helpful and friendly especially in touristy areas.

WHAT TO PACK: 

• Bug spray, SPF Chapstick, bottled water, sunscreen, hat & polarized sunglasses is a MUST
• Headlight if going for the sunrise/sunset Tikal tour. We brought clip-on lights. 
  
• Print color copies of passport to carry in wallet (just in case)
• No converter needed coming from the USA
• Very comfortable trainer shoes - lots of walking!! 
• The island does have a lot of uphill/downhill and uneven sidewalks. 
• Linen, wool, dry-fit or any moisture wicking clothing to combat the humidity
• For sunrise at Tikal, we wore shorts, shirt & light linen full-sleeves shirt 
• Reusable waterbottle - can only fill up with bottled water only 
• Backpack to carry in Tikal National Park 

Clip on light we used from Amazon

COMMUNICATION: 

• If possible, try to learn basic Spanish phrases
• We recommended downloading Google Translate App to help with translations 
• Download WhatsApp App to communicate with tour guide/groups/hotels: This is the main way we communicated with any shuttle/tour/hotels etc. 
• We activated the international AT&T plan ($10 usd/day) for one smartphone. The other smartphone, we just used for photos. But, we have heard of buying a sim card in Guatemala and activating in an unlocked phone for a less expensive option
• There is definitely a "Tourist - tax" - things cost more because you're a tourist compared to a local. If comfortable, feel free to bargain. 
• If you don't understand Spanish well, open your calculator app and always confirm the price before purchasing 

RANDOM TIPS: 

• In bathrooms, grab toilet paper before entering the stalls and throw into the trashcan, not the toilet. 
• Download Google maps offline for any city you will be visiting
• If possible, avoid visiting any major tourist attraction on weekends / holidays due to heavy crowds. Morning & weekdays are much better to visit. 
• BOTTLED WATER only - brush your teeth with bottled water as well
• You can purchase bottled water from any Tienda (Store) - regulated pricing and very affordable 

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN FOOD: 

• Plenty of vegan/vegetarian options on the island 
• Go to the bar/kitchen area and ask for a menu. You'll get up and order from the kitchen area. 
• Los Amigos Hostel: plenty of vegetarian/vegan options 
• Maracuya restaurant: Outstanding vegetarian food!!! They also have a butterfly enclave you can sit inside of during the day. Beautiful views of the lake - have an upstairs and downstairs portion 

Maracuya Restaurant

Los Amigos Hostel Restaurant

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS: 

Sunrise Tikal Tour: HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND GOING FOR SUNRISE!!!

Fun Fact: Tikal NP was a filming location for Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope

• How to purchase the sunrise tour:
• Tour includes transportation & guide: We were arriving late the night before our tour - so we booked our Sunrise Tikal tour through a travel agency called "Due South Travels" for (40 usd/pp). The tour guide via walking escorted us from the front of our hotel, escorted others around the island and brought us back to the shuttle. We arrived back in Flores at 12pm.
• Tikal Park Tickets: We bought a foreigners sunrise ticket (150 quetzals/pp) and an Tikal entrance ticket (100 quetzals/pp) through boletos.culturaguate.com. 
• Note: These tickets are good for up to 30 days, so you can buy them in advance. You just screenshot and show the tickets on your phone. MUST BUY THEM BEFORE GOING ON THE TOUR

Temple at Tikal NP

On top of Temple watching sunrise

• Notes: Sunrise tour is from 3am to 12pm. We got to see tarantulas, unique butterflies, snakes, spider monkeys, toucans, parakeets, Coati (Guatemalan racoon) etc. It's incredible to hear the jungle wake up. It's usually foggy during sunrise compared to sunset, but the weather is best and least humid in the morning. 

  

  Coati (Guatemalan racoon)

• Note: when you arrive at Tikal NP, it is 40 min walk from entrance to Temple IV where you watch sunrise. Getting up to Temple IV requires several steep staircases. Make sure to wear very good trainer shoes & take your time. There's a lot of walking & up stairs on this tour. 
• If don't want to organize flights, hotels, tour etc. - a few travelers told us they organized everything through TikalGo from Guatemala City 
  
  
  

Flores Island & Peten Lake: 

• Beautiful island - highly recommend watching sunset over Peten Lake! 
• Walk around the island & explore! 
• Note: Lots of uneven sidewalks and some up/downhill - wear supportive shoes

Peten Lake