Tikal, Guatemala: The Trip I’ll Never Forget (or Repeat!)
Story Time: My Jungle Book Misadventure in Tikal 🌴🐒
Let me tell y’all about the time I accidentally signed up for “The Jungle Book: Live Edition.”
Guatemala Trip Highlights Before Tikal ✨
By day six of my Guatemala itinerary, I was already riding high. Here’s what we had checked off so far:
Visiting Mayan weavers and learning about their traditions 🧵
Catching a breathtaking sunrise hike 🌄
Tasting smooth coffee at Bella Vista Coffee Farm (10/10, highly recommend ☕)
Experiencing a traditional Mayan ceremony 🌿
Soaking in the beauty of Lake Atitlán 🛶
At this point, I was living my best travel-girl life. But ohhhh if only I knew what the journey to Tikal National Park had in store for me.
The Road to Tikal: A 6-Hour Drive Turned 14 😩🚐
Here’s the first thing you should know if you’re planning a trip to Tikal: that “6-hour drive” you read about online? Chile, it was giving 14 hours with traffic.
One hour in, I knew we messed up. My inner voice was like: “Girl, you know this ain’t it.” But that’s the funny thing about travel—you don’t know what you don’t know. Instead of cutting the plan, we kept pushing forward, regretting it the whole way.
💡 Travel Tip: If you’re going to Tikal, consider flying into Flores (nearby town) instead of driving. Your sanity will thank you.
Staying at Jaguar Inn: Welcome to the Jungle 🌙🐆
We finally arrived at Jaguar Inn Tikal at about 1 a.m. And listen—the jungle was ALIVE. Something was growling in the distance, and with a name like “Jaguar Inn,” my nerves were already shot. Turns out it wasn’t jaguars, but monkeys making the sound. Still terrifying at 1 a.m. when you’re half asleep.
To make things worse, A Bug’s Life was alive and well in our room. We’re talking spiders, lizards, and some unidentified, beady-eyed creature. Thank God I had brought my own sheets, because I sat up cross-legged most of the night like I was in the trenches.
Meanwhile, my travel buddy was SNOOZING peacefully. I’m side-eyeing the jungle with wide eyes like Smokey from Friday, and she in dreamland while the rainforest came for us.
💡 Travel Tip: Pack bug spray, long sleeves, and a sleep sack if you’re staying near the ruins. The jungle does not play.
Visiting the Mayan Ruins at Tikal 🏛✨
“Tikal Temple IV is a Mesoamerican pyramid in the ruins of the ancient Maya city of Tikal in modern Guatemala.”
Now, let’s be real: the Mayan ruins at Tikal are absolutely breathtaking. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological treasures in Central America, the temples and plazas are awe-inspiring. Walking among ancient structures that date back over 1,000 years is humbling—it’s a true bucket-list experience.
But me? I was counting down the minutes until I could leave. The ruins were beautiful, but after that jungle night, I had nothing left to give.
Should You Visit Tikal? My Honest Take ♀️
If you’re an adventure traveler who thrives on wild, raw, off-the-grid experiences—Tikal might just be your happy place. But if you’re like me and prefer adventure with a side of comfort, this might be one for the “been there, done that, don’t need to go back” list.
I’m glad I went. The history is incredible, the ruins are unforgettable, and the photos? Chef’s kiss. But between the 14-hour drive, growling monkeys, and rainforest roommates, I’m good never experiencing that again.
Final Thoughts + Travel Reflection 🌍
Travel isn’t always pretty. It’s not always Instagram-perfect. Sometimes it’s 14 hours in a cramped van, sitting up all night in the jungle, and swatting at bugs you can’t identify. But it’s those exact stories that make the trip memorable.
So would I recommend visiting Tikal? Yes—if you’re prepared for what you’re walking into. But also know this: I did it, so you don’t have to. 😂😭
👉 Have you ever had a trip that was incredible except for that one part?