Tikal, Guatemala: The Trip I’ll Never Forget (or Repeat!)

By day six of my Guatemala itinerary, I was riding high. We had already visited Mayan weavers and learned about their traditions, caught a breathtaking sunrise hike, tasted some of the smoothest coffee at Bella Vista Coffee Farm, experienced a traditional Mayan ceremony, and soaked in the beauty of Lake Atitlán. I was fully in my travel girl era and loving every second of it.

If only I had known what the journey to Tikal National Park had in store for me.

Let’s start with the drive. If you’re planning a trip to Tikal and you’ve read online that it’s a six-hour drive, I need you to pause. That “six hours” turned into fourteen! One hour in, I already knew we had made a mistake. My inner voice was loud and clear, but that’s the thing about travel: you don’t know what you don’t know. Instead of pivoting, we committed to the plan and pushed through, regretting it mile after mile.

If I could do it again, I would absolutely fly into Flores instead of driving. Your sanity will thank you.

We finally arrived at Jaguar Inn Tikal around one in the morning, and the jungle was fully awake. Something was growling in the distance, and with a name like Jaguar Inn, my nerves were already on edge. Turns out it wasn’t jaguars, just monkeys. But at one in the morning, half asleep and deep in the rainforest, it didn’t feel any less dramatic.

Then came the room. Let’s just say nature was very present. Thank God I had packed my own sheets, because I spent most of the night sitting upright, alert, like I was on jungle watch duty. Meanwhile, my travel buddy was sleeping peacefully through it all. I’m wide-eyed, listening to every sound in the rainforest, and she’s in a deep REM cycle like we’re at a resort.

If you’re staying near the ruins, come prepared. Bug spray, long sleeves, and some kind of sleep sack are not optional. The jungle is not playing with you.

Now, let’s talk about the actual reason we went: the Mayan ruins at Tikal. They are, without question, breathtaking. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant archaeological treasures in Central America, the temples and plazas are truly amazing. Walking among structures that date back over a thousand years is humbling. Tikal Temple IV rises above the jungle in a way that makes you feel small in the best possible way. It’s a bucket list kind of place!

But if I’m being completely honest, after that night and that drive, I was counting down the minutes until we could leave. The ruins were stunning, but I had nothing left in the tank. Sometimes you can appreciate something and still be ready to go.

So would I recommend visiting Tikal? It depends on the kind of traveler you are. If you love raw, adventurous, slightly off-the-grid experiences, this might be your dream. If you prefer your adventure with a side of comfort, you may want to think through the logistics carefully. For me, Tikal landed on my “No God never again” list.

The history is incredible. The ruins are unforgettable. The photos are beautiful. But between the fourteen-hour drive, the growling monkeys, and my unexpected rainforest roommates, I’m good.

Travel isn’t always polished or picture perfect. Sometimes it’s long drives in cramped vans, sleepless nights in the jungle, and swatting at bugs you can’t identify. Those are the moments that stick with you and turn into the best travel stories!

“Tikal Temple IV is a Mesoamerican pyramid in the ruins of the ancient Maya city of Tikal in modern Guatemala.”