A Road Less Traveled

For most people visiting Guatemala, a stop at the incredible Mayan ruins of Tikal is a must, if not the sole reason for their visit. Dwarfed only by El Mirador, which is 77km from Flores in the heart of very thick jungle, Tikal is the largest Mayan temple complex that is easily accessible to the general public. The site is dominated by five enormous temples that rise to more then 60m above the dense forest floor. Literally 1000′s of smaller structors dot the 576 square kilometer National Park know as Parque Nacional Tikal.

Walking through the park at dawn is a very surreal experience. Howler monkeys, Toucans, Tarantulas and Koatymundi are just a few of the many creatures you are likely to run into while on your own adventure through Tikal. The temples themselves are majestic to a point that is beyond words. Imagine seeing 1000 year old ancient temples, altars and carvings popping out of dense Guatemalan jungle while you listen some of the most amazing tropical bird sounds you have ever heard. Only my time at the Buddhist and Hindu Angkor Wat temples of Cambodia rival the sheer magnitude of the experience that it is walking through Tikal National Park.

Be sure to check out some of my personal photos, HERE, to see more of this amazing location.