How to get to Tikal from Flores? Your choices of transport to Tikal Guatemala.
Tikal National Park is quite possible the most famous place in Guatemala and the majority of people depart from Flores to Tikal. The ancient Mayan city is the biggest and most impressive in Central America, spanning over 100 square km of sub tropical rain-forest The island town of Flores is where most people base themselves for their Tikal trip. Getting from Flores to Tikal requires a 70 km drive around the east of Lake Peten Itza, then north to Tikal National Park, a 90 minute journey.
Climbing pyramids at Tikal was great fun for everyone.
To save you reading the whole post, here’s the easiest way to visit Tikal from Flores!
The information in this post was correct at the time of our visit, things may have changed!
Flores to Tikal
Beautiful ancient ruins in the jungle. Tikal Guatemala.
There are more travel agents than restaurants in Flores, it would seem, all selling Tikal shuttle services. Shuttles run from 3.30 am to 1.30 pm and you can opt for a guided or unguided tour in English or Spanish.
The other option is a private car and driver which would work out more expensive but more comfortable. It depends on your group size and comfort levels.
I didn’t find any usable public buses from Flores to Tikal but I imagine there are. It would be a lot of hassle and quite possibly wouldn’t save you much in the long run.
Flores to Tikal by Shuttle Bus
One of the pyramids at Tikal. This day involves a lot of walking and climbing.
There are numerous shuttle buses that run all day but most will focus on getting there for sunrise and park opening or to see sunset and leaving as the park closes.
The two most popular shuttles in the morning are the 3.30 am minibus shuttle which gets you there in the dark to catch the sunrise or the 4 am shuttle. This was the one we took and had us at Tikal National Park for 6 am, the official opening time.
Entrance to the park is Q150 ($20 USD) collected at the gate of the park. If you arrive before 6 am there is an extra Q100 fee to get in early.
Children under 12 years old are free to enter the park.
Afternoon tours leave at 1:30 pm although I did notice some leaving at 12:30 pm. 1-2 hours in a cramped mini bus in the middle of the hot day doesn’t sound like my idea of nice though. Still either bus gets you there and both stay for sunset so its really up to how much you want to spend in the park.
The park closes at 5 pm so last buses leave at 5:30 pm back to Flores.
As with most things in Central America the cost of the buses and tours is flexible depending on your bargaining skills. Shop around, walk away if you have to, see if the price drops.
Not all tours are equal, there are some hefty complaints making the rounds on travel websites about rip-offs.
We paid Q100 ($13.50) per adult for bus and tour guide. Our 9 year-old paid full fare, our 7 year-old was free.
Our Tikal Tour Experience
Look a bit Star Wars-y to you. From the top of the largest, 70m pyramid.
We had a great day at Tikal, everything went to plan and our guide was excellent. Our bus was waiting for us outside our hotel at 4.30 am. It was the usual tourist mini bus with no leg room for people over 5 foot but we all had a seat. The journey was hassle free but the road was extremely pot holed in places. Speed bumps were everywhere, including on the highways.
The bus dropped us inside the park at a little cafe to grab some coffee before the tour started.
Our guide was brilliant, he knew his stuff and spoke faultless English. He covered all of the main areas with us and explained each one in detail. He taught our two children how to call to the forest animals and answered every question. He left us at 10.30 am, giving us free time to explore further.
The group was due to return to Flores at 12:30 pm from the cafe. We arrived early for a quick breakfast. The sunrise bus was about to leave, they had spare seats so we didn’t have to wait. There is flexibility with return times, just talk to your guide or driver.
Transport and tours to Tikal from Flores are frequent and easy to arrange but you can arrange and pay for a reputable tour in advance if your time is limited. I recommend GuateGO which can arrange travel to Tikal.
With GuateGO you can book your transportation to secure your places not just from Flores to Tikal, but also to the main places in Belize (Caye Caulker, Caye Ambergris or San Pedro, San Ignacio, Palencia) and to connect practically every destination in Guatemala (Flores, Lanquin, Antigua, Atitlan). Even between countries or airport transfers.
You can choose what kind of transport you want to use (shuttle, coach, water taxi, luxury bus, private transport or plane) they have all the main transport options on the web site. Use this link to find to the best deals for your trip.
Chef is James Long, a professional chef, world traveler and endurance athlete. He has spent almost a decade traveling and working internationaly.
15 thoughts on “Flores to Tikal; Shuttle & Bus to Tikal”
Tikal is on our wishing list for next year – we planned Sri Lanka at first, and then changed to Belize, so we’ll be visiting the site from San Ignacio. Take care!
Hi, thank you for sharing your experience! I was wondering what time will the shuttle bus agencies close b/c my flight from Gautemala city to Flores will arrive at 7pm. I don’t know if that’s too late and agencies will be closed by then to book. Thanks
Our new Photography Travel trips is yet to go to Tikal so this is our Beta Test Trip! We will stay at one of the lodges in the park- not sure which yet. We began as a way to go together with others with cameras to really cool places and help others along the way. Good luck with your cooking! I’m sure it is delightful
Hi Monica we used one when we arrived in Flores. I’ll be updating the post very soon as there are lots more options now compared to a few years ago. Stay tuned and thanks for reading.
Chef
Hi Jill,
Thanks for writing. If you follow the links in the post they will take you to the
page so you can organise the time that suits without worry.
Hope this helps
Cheers
James
I don’t anymore unfortunately but many of the guides and tours will speak English. I wouldn’t worry as I’m sure when you’re there on the
ground you’ll find a great tour.
Interested in an update on safety concerns traveling to Tikal. Will travel to Belize first. Do we fly to Flores or take a shuttle to Tikal from San Ignacio. We are not interested in taking any security risks.
Security wise it would be fine to take the bus to Tikal. The only issues are with some not so honest
tour operators like you’d find anywhere that may try it on and sell a great tour for minimal cost. Only
later would you find out it isn’t what you’ve paid for. Flying to Flores seems an overly complicated way of doing things
as you’d still need to catch a shuttle back to Tikal. There aren’t direct buses as you’d need to change at the Belize border if you
go by bus. IF you are traveling further south into Guatemala then going to Flores would be the best place to base yourself. It really depends on
your preference and budget which way you go but there isn’t a security risk. Hope this helps.
Hi Chef, where did you find a tour price for $13.50 per person? I can’t find anything at that price, everything is like $87 and up. Guatego…is very expensive.
Also, I was thinking of doing no tour guide to save money. Can you pay only for a shuttle?
Tikal is on our wishing list for next year – we planned Sri Lanka at first, and then changed to Belize, so we’ll be visiting the site from San Ignacio. Take care!
Great stuff. We love Sri Lanka and I reckon you guys would too. Simply beautiful. Belize unfortunately was a step to far money wise. Next time 🙂
Hey, thanks Travel Sisters! I’ve been working as a Chef lately, no time for blogging, but I’ll get onto this ASAP!
Hi, thank you for sharing your experience! I was wondering what time will the shuttle bus agencies close b/c my flight from Gautemala city to Flores will arrive at 7pm. I don’t know if that’s too late and agencies will be closed by then to book. Thanks
Our new Photography Travel trips is yet to go to Tikal so this is our Beta Test Trip! We will stay at one of the lodges in the park- not sure which yet. We began as a way to go together with others with cameras to really cool places and help others along the way. Good luck with your cooking! I’m sure it is delightful
Hello. Did you use an agency in advance to book the mini shuttle and tour (which one)? Or you just chose one upon arrival to Flores?
Hi Monica we used one when we arrived in Flores. I’ll be updating the post very soon as there are lots more options now compared to a few years ago. Stay tuned and thanks for reading.
Chef
Can you provide an update on those early morning shuttles? My friends and I are looking to get to Tikal from Flores early in the morning.
Hi Jill,
Thanks for writing. If you follow the links in the post they will take you to the
page so you can organise the time that suits without worry.
Hope this helps
Cheers
James
My family will be visiting Tikal over Christmas. I am interested in booking an English speaking tour. Do you have a link to the tour you used?
Hi Susan,
I don’t anymore unfortunately but many of the guides and tours will speak English. I wouldn’t worry as I’m sure when you’re there on the
ground you’ll find a great tour.
Cheers
Chef
Interested in an update on safety concerns traveling to Tikal. Will travel to Belize first. Do we fly to Flores or take a shuttle to Tikal from San Ignacio. We are not interested in taking any security risks.
Hello Jack,
Security wise it would be fine to take the bus to Tikal. The only issues are with some not so honest
tour operators like you’d find anywhere that may try it on and sell a great tour for minimal cost. Only
later would you find out it isn’t what you’ve paid for. Flying to Flores seems an overly complicated way of doing things
as you’d still need to catch a shuttle back to Tikal. There aren’t direct buses as you’d need to change at the Belize border if you
go by bus. IF you are traveling further south into Guatemala then going to Flores would be the best place to base yourself. It really depends on
your preference and budget which way you go but there isn’t a security risk. Hope this helps.
Cheers
Chef
Hi Chef, where did you find a tour price for $13.50 per person? I can’t find anything at that price, everything is like $87 and up. Guatego…is very expensive.
Also, I was thinking of doing no tour guide to save money. Can you pay only for a shuttle?
Hi Katie, it was at one of the little shops in Flores. Quite a few years ago now though.