Tikal Tour Review: Flores Transportation, Lunch & Local Guide

Visiting Tikal has always seemed like one of those bucket-list travel moments, very special and certainly an adventure, you know? And booking a tour from Flores, with all the logistics sorted, just seemed like the obvious route, and that turned out to be such a great call. After looking at different packages, the one that included transportation, lunch, plus a local guide appeared to be the perfect choice. So, that’s the one I picked. I figured that it had every little thing you might want. Did the actual experience measure up to those expectations? I think so. Here’s a thorough look, a play-by-play of my trip, really, with some insights that will probably assist anyone thinking of booking the exact same trip.

Booking the Tikal Tour

The initial booking experience turned out to be quite easy, like really easy actually. Several operators appeared to be providing more or less identical packages, too it’s almost difficult to choose one. Reading some user reviews ended up helping loads. What I sought, really, was a combination of good value and flexibility, like maybe if there was any need to change dates just in case, you know? The chosen company came back fast to my emails and gave very, very crystal clear information. Making the booking felt very, very secure, so everything went smoothly. You usually get a voucher after your booking. Make absolutely sure to keep hold of it; you’re probably going to have to have that piece of paper when the vehicle is up for you.

The Early Morning Pickup and Transportation

Most tours often start super early, and that, too, happened here. That’s something to think about, or rather remember if early mornings aren’t your cup of tea. My pick-up happened at 4:30 a.m. I believe, which gave me only enough time for just a coffee to grab as I walked. The transportation appeared in the form of just a comfy, air-conditioned minibus, is that a relief! That’s so important, because the drive could be long. The driver behaved professionally. Other people were staying at different hotels, then eventually everyone came together as one big excited group headed in Tikal’s general direction. It probably took just over 90 minutes getting to Tikal. Seeing the landscape getting slowly illuminated as the sun rose became rather magical, too it’s almost unforgettable actually.

Meeting the Local Guide

Just as we arrived, that local guide met up with us near the park entrance. And, wow, the guide really ended up changing the experience big time. Having this insider, with all of their info on Mayan history and Tikal’s natural habitat, actually transformed the whole visit to one which went way beyond the usual sightseeing kind of thing. So, if you get a choice of guide, maybe check whether it’s someone that speaks fantastic English and also is, too it’s almost humorous, just passionate with the site.

Exploring Tikal with a Local

Exploring Tikal, wow, that turned out to be just awesome with a local showing us everything. We walked on a path deep into the jungle, past Ceiba trees which felt massive, with just strangler figs enveloping so many others. So, really every single step felt interesting as that local was explaining both the past uses of those specific spots plus telling stories regarding those Mayans, I remember really hanging on to the things he told us! The guide, that is, took us carefully towards most of those huge temples such as Temple I plus Temple II, while he would, by the way, talk about all their history, plus their significances through the Mayan culture. Going to the top on some of those temples provided views which were just unbelievable around the rainforest that never seemed to have an end; in fact it was super rewarding! Make absolutely sure you have stuff like comfy walking shoes plus a water bottle too. That becomes absolutely essential when exploring so many locations.

Lunch at Tikal

By midday, we actually went to the designated restaurant that had been organized already within a park for just that lunch, actually it tasted pretty alright. It was basically your traditional Guatemalan foods: you got beans, you got rice plus maybe some chicken. This tasted super OK, this is so appreciated around mid-trip, since you have a spot to properly relax before taking on everything else you will. Those drinks usually, that is, might not come as part of that specific tour package, or maybe something like soft drinks is or even your beers, still that appeared pretty handy just so you can grab something cool prior to getting off exploring that place one more time, do you understand?

Additional Exploration Time

Just as lunch ended, the guide, you know, allowed you just an extra block of free time in order to keep exploring or rather going back in specific areas that really, honestly piqued something within you during that part about our tour. I actually chose that specific moment to go get Temple V; it appeared super-secluded and rather offered those panoramic view from the jungle. Several people might like using it too in order to chill some while and just take additional picture, which is completely something that’s doable; that can depend on specifically the thing you would prefer while enjoying at that Mayan site, so, you will do it.

The Return Trip to Flores

In mid-afternoon, people all come together in order to get on board with that bus heading in the general direction towards Flores. If you end up feeling exhausted at the conclusion of a very full day around the temples then having that seat getting relaxed that’s definitely appreciated, isn’t it just! And considering everyone appeared super worn out, most within our group ended up taking one well deserved sleeping that way going through! After getting back in Flores; people can definitely use whatever strength those have in reserve getting something happening at nights; still several of us went off right directly in our hostels, after thinking those day got completely successfully consumed at that spot of an amazing UNESCO site really far out in Guatemala, right.

Things to Bring

So, should you actually plan such similar adventure make absolutely sure the essential are secured getting just one far additional comfortable day. Here’s something you may have thought about putting just inside:

Comfy shoes for getting walked in:: You need that because walking just on those uneven pavements throughout those temples actually needs that sturdy pairs with that supportiveness too..
Repellant getting bugs to disappear and become less bitey : Around jungles bug’s just hang so slathering them would provide really just the critical barrier around the ticks and mostly, such those flies or whatever.
Suntan protector getting sun’s effects removed:: Because sun’s glare can become just surprisingly extreme remember with that sun’s creams protecting around one such such as temple visits
Water is just your partner!: That stays vital should such things prevent those things in warm situations during travels when it might probably allow such a comfortable such visit such site
A raincoat could make all something nice that just happen to occur naturally : If one stays coming one wet era remember one really minimal ones you store easy such with one package since it’s actually such those life saving
Backpack just getting little storage : That comes extremely extremely effective to always bring whatever that you usually end up taking in!

Photography Tips for Tikal

And getting photographers then something that’s magical! Following those would have been things remember to start clicking with a very unique frame.

Early getting in will allow someone to discover that ideal brightness getting the minimal one crowded background : Those mornings will always present additional brightness, plus additional serenity prior it becomes even more busy at 10 clock in that.
Wide angles shots capture those epic landscapes fully and complete : Employ one Wide angel lens captures temple that dominates jungle that stretches along whatever for such truly magnificent one memories forever
Consider details in such unique shots : Take moment to examine that one carving along wall and how nature and weather patterns one that’s already changed through the ages for great picture that describe tales not just simple imagery !
Sky lights and shady times : Sun that strikes strongly on midday, it, such will work nicely such while you discover area shades! Have fun using one sunshine by that!

Final Thoughts

That Tikal visit from Flores actually comes as amazing time specially when just bundled using transportation’ plus lunch, but it actually makes itself greater yet while doing one that one well versed native. If considering whether take a little this then you must, and consider that these kinds pointers it’ll improve all a better fun and well put great moment really great time right? Prepare all something pleasant so they can see an epic historical park like temples so everyone enjoys just amazing travels you enjoy them to

#Tikal #Flores #Guatemala #MayanRuins #TravelReview