| Check out our free interactive Parque Nacional Tikal holiday guide and discover Parque Nacional Tikal's biggest attractions, best restaurants and much more. If you've visited Parque Nacional Tikal before tell us your holiday tips and help other travellers enjoy great holidays in Parque Nacional Tikal, Guatemala. |
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| PARQUE NACIONAL TIKAL LOCAL HISTORY |
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Tikal is located on a low hill which is surrounded by swamps; this is probably why the Maya chose to settle here in 700BC because it would offer protection from any enemy invasions. Another reason is the amount of flint which can be found nearby.
Flint was used by the Maya to construct spear and arrowheads, clubs, knives and to trade with others for other goods. The Tikal is now a complex of stone buildings and temples which they finished constructing in 200 BC. |
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Museo Litico – Museo Litico is one of the two museums at Tikal. This one features stelae and carved stones from the ruins as well as relief map outside showing how Tikal probably looked in 800 AD. The smaller museum has other odds and ends from ancient Maya life.
Temple of the Inscriptions – This temple is named as temple VI on the maps which can be bought from the kiosk and what makes it unique is that it’s the one temple in the whole complex that has glyphs inscribed on it. From the detail in these glyphs the temple has been dated as 766 AD. Ask for an escort or go in a group as it’s quite remote.
Great Plaza – The Great Plaza is in the centre of the Acropolis and is the gateway to everywhere else in Tikal. The designs were done by King Moon Double Comb but it was built by his son above his tomb in 734 AD. Here you’ll find Temple I, which has been closed to the public, and Temple II which has the best view in the whole complex.
Bird Watching – If you are interested in local bird watching then Tikal is a great place to do it. It has been recorded that over 300 bird species (migratory and endemic) can be found here. Head down one of the many trails with you binoculars and you’ll be greatly rewarded. |
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Tikal Inn - There is a restaurant for guests staying in the hotel and is not open to the day visitors, so it’s the prefect place to come grab a meal without the crowds. Reservations are a must for dinner which is between 7pm and 10pm. Dinner is a single serving set menu of tomato-squash soup, stewed chicken, green beans, pickled julienne beets, potatoes, flour tortillas, hot tea, and flan for dessert.
Visitor's Center – For those early birds who are in the park from before sunrise head over to the Visitor’s Center for some great breakfasts and lunches at cheap prices. Open to the general public.
Comedor Tikal – Comedor Tikal is just one of several of these restaurants in the Park grounds. The others are Imperio Maya, La Jungla Tikal, Sagrado de Jesus and Tienda Angelita. All of them serve a meal of the day which is usually fried chicken, French fries, rice and a drink, plus a liter of water for around US$13. |
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Don’t leave Tikal without picking up some sort of knick-knack to remember your trip to this truly awesome place. The main park building has a large area where native crafts are on display for sale.
There are many woven craft goods such as place mats, table cloths, and clothing which are all produced by the locals, and sold for a good price. You can also find many souvenir type items such as key chains, etc. |
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| Useful Holiday links - Parque Nacional Tikal |
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Lake Atitlan - Atitlan.net is the best source of news about Guatemala, because it is updated every 5 minutes, 24 hours per day, every day. It has links to news stories about Guatemala, from 4500 news sources around the net. Atitlan.net also has the BEST MAPS of Guatemala, based on satellite photographs. I think you can see every house in Guatemala, including yours! Atitlan.net also contains thousands of photographs, and videos of Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, and Antigua, Guatemala, and the people who live there. Atitlan.net also contains 100 pages about Guatemalan coffee and 100 more pages about Guatemalan chocolate. The site is in English.
www.guatemalaweb.com |
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