 | Parque Nacional Tikal Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 24 |  |
Our original plan for visiting Tikal had been to find cheaper accommodations in or around El Remate, the small village located about 30 miles from the Mayan temples in the National Park and then to try to arrange transportation in. However, given our time constraints and lack of Spanish, we decided to cut out the complications and head straight for the centre of the NP, taking our chances on finding accommodations in one of the three hotels located there. On our late-morning arrival, our mini-van took us first to the Jaguar Inn (they were full but had covered hammocks and tent sites available for about US$7), then the Tikal Inn a couple of hundred feet away (also full) and finally to the Jungle Lodge. We were in luck here, because they had spare double rooms with shared bath facilities going for US$40, credit cards accepted (Note: a 5% surcharge is applied to all credit card payments)!
The Jungle Lodge is actually the hotel closest to the trail leading into the Mayan temple site and it consists of 50 rooms situated on lush tropical grounds. I was totally amazed at the quality of the buildings and grounds that we suddenly found ourselves in! There are a number of separate bungalows spread around the property as well as the row of cheaper double rooms that we managed to get ahold of. The shared bath was very plush, separate rooms for 'Girls' and 'Boys' with tiled floors, very nice sinks, big mirrors, clean toilets - couldn't ask for anything better.
The hotel also had a spacious dining room with attached bar (see my 'Restaurant' tips) which also accepted credit card payments - lucky because I only brought a limited amount of Quetzales (7.6 Q = 1 US$) with us. Our room had two separate beds and a ceiling fan to help the louvered windows with the cooling. Because the hotel is located in the middle of the jungle, along with everything else at Tikal, power is supplied by a diesel generator from a nearby research lab and is switched off between 10 PM and 6 AM. Note: on the 'Other' contact email address below add a ".com" on the end - VT does not allow enough space for the full goods! Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$20-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Tikal National Park, GuatemalaPhone: 502/476-8775Directions: One of three hotels located at the central area of Tikal National Park, only a 10 minute walk from the entrance to the Mayan temples.Other Contact: reservaciones@junglelodge.guate. |
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With our late morning arrival at the Jungle Lodge, two long afternoon walks to the temples, darkness by 6:30 PM, another morning walk and then check-out before 1 PM, we did not have a great deal of time available for a proper look around our choice of accommodations. It was therefore with some regret that we discovered this beautiful hotel swimming pool as we waited for our return mini-bus ride back to Belize! Never even got to dip our feet in!
We did however enjoy sitting out on the chairs in front of our little room. It was nice to stare out into the jungle, watch the Oscellated Turkeys (at first, I half-wondered if they were Peacocks) as they strolled past and we could also hear the echoing crys of the male Black Howler Monkeys in the tree-tops as they staked out their territorial claims.
The Jungle Lodge was great for us! Leave a Comment Theme: Hotel |
If you would like to visit Tikal from Belize and plan to stay overnight (which I highly recommend), consider staying in the small town of El Remate. It is located on the shores of Lake Peten Itza and is only 36kms from the entrance to the National Park.
You can enjoy a swim in the lake, a visit to the jungle reserve, Biotopo Cerro Cahui or shop for local handicrafts, especially woodcarvings.
Staying in El Remate is much cheaper than staying in the park and more convenient than staying in Flores. There is a 530 am shuttle that will get you to the park by it's 6am opening. Inquire at Casa Don David for shuttle tickets. We also booked our return bus to the Belize border at Don David.
We had hoped to stay at Don David, it has lovely rooms with private bath and hammocks on the shores of the lake, but they were expecting a tour group and the inn was full. They referred us to Los Gardenias across the street and for half the price, we found newly remodelled and impeccably clean rooms with private bath. A single room cost 80Q or $10US/night. Leave a Comment Theme: Pension/GuesthousePrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveDirections: On the Tikal Highway, 36kms south of the park entrance. |
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There are hotel accomodations in Tikal, but the only reason to stay would be the early morning sunrise photography, and the night time moon and star gazing. These are definitely good reasons to stay near the park, but the prices are lower on the island town of Flores, just an hour away by van shuttle. Flores has numerous hotels and restaurants, at very reasonable prices, and is itself worthy of a day or two of sighting around Lago Peten.
So, rather than fly in on some short package tour, take the journey to Flores and hang-out a day or two. If more than one day is required for hiking around Tikal, then this can be arranged from Flores too. Leave a Comment |
We loved our stay here...and it was easy to book online with them. They arranged to have a cab waiting for us at the airport and everything . The rooms are simple and spotless. Its a great value and includes a coupon for dinner or breakfast ( you're choice!!) $44.00 per couple.
The grounds are well landscaped and there are lots of birds to see. The sunset is lovely over the lake and the staff will arrange your tours for you. |
We didn't stay here but had a look at it and a couple we toured with stayed , and they were really pleased with it.
Its rooms are comforable and clean ...and you are right in the jungle of Tikal so the sounds are terrific of the wildlife. Its a great option for an early start to seeing Tikal!
Its located right by the entrance to the park of Tikal. |
The Inn consists of 22 rooms best described as rustic....thatched roofs, ceiling fan, private bath, traditional fabrics on furniture and bedspreads, white stucco walls. Every thing was very clean and orderly including the grounds. No televisions, no telephones not even at the office. I tried to pay for food and beverage with a card and they needed cash so buy a total package in advance.
After dinner we all went swimming in a very nice outdoor pool. It was relaxing yet exciting!
Bats would swoop down over our heads and devour the insects hovering over the pool.
Electricity goes off entirely at 9PM so there is no nightlife or electric alarm clocks so bring a battery powered clock if you want to get up early to see the sunrise over the Mayan Ruins. Theme: InnPrice: US$20-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Have the van pick you up at the airportPhone: 1.888.246.1431Directions: East of Flores |
We were originally supposed to spend 2 nights here. However there were no phones and the reservation got lost. Mail service is so bad that the travel agent sent the payment with us in a check (two nights for two people with a private bath was $96). I refused to give them the check unless they found me a place to stay. So they phoned over to the Tikal Inn (which was a nicer place and more expensive.).
They have no pool. They have electricity only from 6 p.m.to 9 p.m. There was a private bath, but no windows in the bathroom so you couldn't see without electricity. Take your shower before the lights go out. We didn't find that there was any hot water. We had twin beds, and there was a bedside table on which were two candles, and a water jug and glasses.
OCCUPANCY PRICE
SINGLE US$ 32.00
DOUBLE US$ 50.00
TRIPLE US$ 68.00
QUADRUPLE US$ 80.00 Leave a Comment |
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There are three places to stay right in the park where you can get up and go out early in the morning when it is cool, or to see the sunset. They are the Tikal Inn, the Jungle Lodge, and the Hotel Jaguar Inn. We were supposed to stay at the Jaguar Inn, but they lost our reservations. Fortunately they were able to find us a place at the Tikal Inn (which was much nicer and also more expensive). The Jungle Lodge and the Tikal Inn are comparable in price
This is what the website says about prices. I think their price for a double in 1998 was a little over $50.00
OCCUPANCY PRICE PER PERSON with a private bath (Including tour, lunch & park entrance fee)
SINGLE US$ 109.80
DOUBLE US$ 80.52
TRIPLE US$ 79.99 Plus Tourism & Local Taxes
OCCUPANCY PRICE per room
SINGLE US$ 65.88
DOUBLE US$ 80.52
TRIPLE US$ 117.12 Plus Tourism & Local Taxes
The reason that there was a mixup is that there are no phones to the park - all the reservations are done from Flores by radio.
We had a double bed and two twin beds, a rack for clothes, and a private bathroom. There were chairs around the pool, but at dusk it gets a little mosquito-y. There is only electricity for a short time at night.
We ate dinner here too - the food was excellent Leave a Comment |
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Great place to stay as you can see.
Pretty reasonable. Very clean and modern. Little walk to the entrance of the park though.
The generator runs until 10:00 pm and then it is pitch black. Hot water only in the morning. No phones. Bring a battery operated alarm clock and flashlights.
We stayed in one of the cabanas, facing the pool (see other pic). Walls are screened where they meet the roof, so full sound proof privacy isn't an option. It wasn't that bad. We were in a group, so we had a lot of fun with it.
I have a video movie of the rooms that I can send if you are really interested. (Don't ask me why)
People we met who stayed the Jungle Lodge were happy with it too.
Pool was fabulous.
Restaurant food was really great, such a surprize.
Cash Only and bring your own water, supplies, etc. Vendors are expensive. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$40-80 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Just outside the grounds to Tikal ParkDirections: Follow directions to the TIKAL Park, go through the entrance and turn East, opposite the road into the park. Last one on the north side. Big sign out front. It's pretty well marked |
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