Heading to Tikal
Hannah and I found ourselves back in Belize a month and a half later. This time to go to Tikal. Tikal (once thought to be known as Yax Mutal) is an ancient Mayan city found in the Guatemalan rainforest. It was once one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient Maya and is thought to date back to 4th Century B.C.
We spent a few days in Belize (where we went zip lining and cave tubing) before heading to northern Guatemala.
We set off from Belmopan around 11am after a bit of confusion on the bus. I think we got on and off about two times over confusion if this was the right bus or not and if another one was leaving sooner. It took us about an hour to get to San Ignacio (a town on the border of Belize and Guatemala). There we had a quick lunch before getting in a taxi that would take us to the border. It only took about 15 minutes with the taxi and the border crossing didn’t take that long either, I even got to get another stamp for my passport!
Guatemala
On the other side of the border we debated between taking a bus or a taxi to Tikal. In the end we decided to take a taxi because we realized we didn’t have time to go into the town to try and find the bus stop. If we took a taxi, we could be dropped off right inside the park (we were going to try and stay at one of the 2 hotels inside the park). Our taxi driver also helped us get tickets to enter Tikal as we entered the park. We discovered that the entrance is quite a way from where the hotels and the actual entrance of Tikal are located.
We were relived to find a room at the 1sthotel we tried. It was called the Jaguar inn and we booked one of their bungalows. It was basic but nice. They informed us that the lights and hot water are shut off at certain times of the day to help save power. The gentleman at the front desk was helpful and explained all our different options for visiting the park (sunrise, sunset, guided and non-guided tours). We decided to do a non-guided tour because to do any of the other options would have meant sending a taxi back to the gate to get a guide and an extra ticket. Tickets to the park are about $20.
Exploring Tikal National Park
After setting our stuff down in the room we decided to go explore the area around the hotel before dinner. Crocodile Lake was only a 5-minute walk away. A few minutes in the other direction was a model of Tikal; so, deciding we had to check both out we set off! After seeing the model we wanted to go see the lake. We had to go back and ask for directions after realizing than none of us knew which direction to head. After finally finding the path we were on our way. However, we apparently missed the sign to the lake because we kept walking deeper into the jungle. After 45 minutes and the path starting to narrow we decided to turn around. We found the lake on the way back after acquiring about 30 bug bites on each foot!
Leggings // Top // Sunglasses // Necklace (same brand)// Sandals
Dinner at the inn was relaxing. We ate pasta (lol) and drank fruit juice and after we ate we stayed until it got dark playing checkers and dominos.
We arouse the next morning around 5:30am so that we could enter Tikal as soon as it opened (6am). It wasn’t until we were heading to the park that I realized my purse (with all my cards, cash, passport, and sunglasses) was missing. I am usually very good at keeping up with things and couldn’t think what had happened. We asked anyone we saw walking around if they had seen a purse and looked everywhere. The inn wasn’t even open yet. Right before 7am (and when it opens) we saw someone who works there walking by. He told us he had found the purse last night and handed it in; I had apparently left it on the back of my chair. When the lady showed up to unlock and set up the reception area she got it out of their safe for me and thankfully nothing was missing!
Tikal
After that slight scare we headed to the Tikal!
We headed for the largest temple first. You are not able to climb up the front of the high temples. You have to up the back via a wooden stairway. The views are amazing. You feel so small because all you see is jungle with a few temples sticking out the top. I couldn’t believe that we were finally here! We walked around and explored the whole area. I would definitely recommend visiting Tikal if you have a chance. I just read about El Mirador (after I finished the lost city trek-I’m on a trekking kick lol) and have already added it to my list!
Shorts // Top (old – Victoria Secret, Similar)
Heading back…
Having been so stressed that morning, with losing my purse, I had left my GoPro in the room so don’t have any footage of our adventure but I did get a lot of pictures. When we came out of the park we didn’t know if we wanted to stay an extra night and try to see Flores the next day or head back to Belize and go to one of the islands. There was a shuttle right as we were leaving and so we hopped on and the decision was made to head to San Pedro. Flores is still on my list – I’ve decided to put it and El Mirodor together! The shuttle dropped us at a cross roads between the border and Flores. Since it was a Sunday we would have to wait for a local shuttle to go by. Luckily, after only about 5 minutes one arrived.
I have never seen so many people crammed on to a shuttle, I think I lost count at 23 (it sat 16). People were wedged in every way possible! Once back at the border we crossed and headed back to Belize the same way. We realized we didn’t have time to try and get to San Pedro that day so we found a hotel in Belize and decided we would set off first thing in the morning! Stay Tuned. I will write a post about San Pedro and Caye Caulker together having visited them both on separate occasions.
Check back soon!
Buffy xx
