Tikal Ruins

Tikal is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the Mesoamerican Maya civilization. It is located in the archaeological region of the Petén Basin in what is now northern Guatemala. Situated in the department of El Petén at Latutude 17°13′19″N, Longitude 89°37′22″W. Tikal is part of Guatemala's Tikal National Park and was named a UNESCO world Heritage site in 1979. The closest towns are Flores and Santa Elena. Flores is about 40 miles to the southwest of the ruins. There is no doubt that Tikal was one of the three or four major cultural and population centers of the Maya civilization. Monumental construction at this site began prior to 300 BC. Tikal reached its height of development during the Classic Period (200 AD to 900 AD). Tikal was the dominate Maya city during this time. Controlling and orchestrating regional politics and driving the regional economy. There is evidence that Tikal was conquered by Teotihuacan prior to 400 AD. After 900 AD, no new major monumental construction project were started. A number of elite palaces were burned. The population began to decline from 900 AD onward. Tikal was abandoned by 1000 AD. The ruins are in a lowland rainforest comprised of ceiba (Ceiba pentandra), the sacred tree of the Maya; cedar (Cedrela odorata) and mahogany (Swietenia). The animal life includes agouti, coatis, foxes, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, harpy eagles, falcons, ocellated turkeys, guans, toucans, parrots, jaguars, jaguarundis, and cougars.

There are no springs, rivers, and lakes in the immediate vicinity of Tikal. Collection and storage of rainwater was the only water supply. Modern archaeologists reconditioned several of the ancient underground facilities to store water for their own use. The reliance on seasonal rainfall left Tikal vulnerable to prolonged drought, which is now thought to play a major role in the abandonment of Tikal

Tikal (or Tik’al, according to the more current orthography) is the largest of the ancient ruined cities of the Maya civilization. It is located in the El Petén department of Guatemala. Now part of Guatemala's Tikal National Park, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist spot. The closest large towns are Flores and Santa Elena, about 30 kilometers away.

Tikal was one of the major cultural and population centers of the Maya civilization. Though monumental architecture at the site dates to the 4th century BC, Tikal reached its apogee during the Classic Period. 200 AD to 900 AD, during which time the site dominated the Maya region politically, economically, and militarily while interacting with areas throughout Mesoamerica, such as central Mexican center of Teotihuacan. There is also evidence that Tikal was even conquered by Teotihuacan in the 4th century A.D. Following the end of the Late Classic Period, no new major monuments were built at Tikal and there is evidence that elite palaces were burned. These events were coupled with a gradual population decline, culminating with the site’s abandonment by the end of the 10th century.

Tikal is the largest of the ancient Mayan Cities in Central America, and was at one point home to a popular which is estimated to have been up to 200,000. This ancient Mayan Capital was abandoned by the Maya around the 10th century A.D., and although sporadic reports of its existance were floating around and several archeological expeditions were sent there, however major archeological work wasn't begun until the 70s, when a small airstrip was constructed nearby, enableing easier access. To this day many temples remain unexcavated, and walking through Tikal, one can see many temples covered in earth and trees dotting the landscape. There are also many temples which have been excavated, and which can be seen very much the way they were during their glory days. The one downside to Tikal is its status as a heavy tourist area. One stradegy to avoid the biggest throngs of tourists is to stay the evening in one of the small hotels located near the entrance to the park. The problem with this is that it brings the price up, but allows you to view the park in the early morning and late afternoon, when most tourists have begun the journey back to the city which served as thier jumping off point. its status as a national park also means that Tikal is home to many native animals and birds, which can often be seen. Animals often seen include coatis, foxes, spider and howler monkeys, toucans, parrots, deer and many reptiles.

If you only have a short time and want to see some ruins in the area...Tikal is a must.

Tikal is set amongst nature-filled, lush jungle in the North of Guatemala. It is massive and its structures are fantastic.

We went in at 'gate-opening' time and pretty much had the place to ourselves. Which was good because you need a while to take it all in and walk slow enough that the 7am sun doesn't reduce you to a puddle - seriously its boiling!!

Sitting at the top of one of the temples on the main plaza with a breakfast bar each watching parrots and monkeys performing their morning routines was a fantastic experience.

Palenque is full of tourists - Tikal was pretty much empty
Copan is tiny - Tikal is huge
Copan is expensive - Tikal is not