Feb-2013
Tikal & Flores
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Les temples mayas à Tikal
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Les temples mayas à Tikal
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Le lever du soleil sur les temples mayas de Tikal
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Un singe dans la jungle de Tikal
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Un toucan dans la jungle de Tikal
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Une tarentule dans la jungle de Tikal
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Les rues colorées de Flores
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Les rues colorées de Flores
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Coucher de soleil à Flores
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Coucher de soleil à Flores
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Los Amigos Hostel à Florès
Dive into the fascinating history of Mayas by visiting the impressive Mayan ruins of Tikal, located in the middle of the jungle.
How to visit Tikal?
The MUST is to arrive early enough to Tikal to attend the sunrise on top of a Mayan temple! This is truly an unforgettable experience! To do this, you can book the Sunrise Trip (via the inn Hostel Los Amigos Flores). We leave from Flores during the night (around 3am) in a shuttle, for a journey of roughly 1:30. Once there, we cross the jungle. Bring your flashlight, you will need it ! You cross the Temple of the Jaguar and the Temple of the Mask with some explanations of the guide to finally arrive at the temple 4, the highest of the site. This is the one on which we climb to watch the sunrise. We had the chance to see perfectly, but some days the fog does not allow it. The spectacle of the nature waking up is absolutely gorgeous. As the sun appear, howler monkeys and birds wake up and shout. It takes at least an hour after the sun rises, but it’s well worth it and you can take beautiful pictures.
Once it is the day, you get well enough time to visit the various Mayan temples closer, climbing the huge steps to the top and walk in the jungle hoping to cross animals. Monkeys, toucans and spiders are the easiest to spot in the treetops. Starting at 11 am and arriving in Flores at 12:30.
The tour costs 125Q for transport and guide accompanying you, plus 250Q for the park special entrance fee, because normally the park opens its doors to tourists only at 6am (which makes the Guatemala’s most expensive tourist spot).
It is advised to visit Tikal in the early morning or in the late afternoon before closing to avoid the crowds of tourists and the heat. We were almost the only ones in the park.
Where to Sleep next to tikal? Flores!
The easiest way to visit Tikal is to stay on the peninsula of Flores. The city is not very big but it’s nice to walk there and eat on the terraces of the restaurants at the seaside.
And if you dream of a place where you can relax while also celebrate … don’t look further, you found it : Los Amigos has everything to please you… a beautiful courtyard with hammocks, a good restaurant, decorated in bright colors, a warm and friendly common area. You feel immediately at ease and you can appreciate this little corner of paradise.
Do not miss the Happy Hours from 16 hours with a variety of very good fruit cocktails for only 10Q ( 1) for Cuba Libre, vodka mixes and our favorite, the Mango Loco. The bar closes at 9 pm, but you are then invited to join the soundproof upstairs bar.
Regarding the restaurant, the food is very good and not too expensive, the menu is varied, but half the time they do not have what you order and the service is, as elsewhere in Guatemala, extremely slow . The burgers looked very tasty. We recommend the nachos covered with salsa, guacamole, cheese, tomatoes and beans. Varied breakfast with huge pancakes with fruit and Nutella will feed you for a long time.
The dorms were open to the outside, which makes them quite noisy all day and let come, of course, all bugs, including mosquitoes which are very numerous in this region. Do not forget your mosquito repellent. Only private rooms have hot water.
Everything is provided for backapackers as the hostel is also a travel agency and offers a lot of trips and excursions.
Where to eat in Flores?
- The Captain Tortuga Italian restaurant has a terrace overlooking the lake. The setting is very nice, especially at the hour of sunset. The pasta is good (we recommend the Alfreda with schrimps) and pizzas are not too expensive. All the restaurants on the street had a beautiful view.
- We ate excellent fajitas at Casa Maya Mexican Restaurant for only 40Q. Fruit juices are also very good.
- We do not recommend La Casa Amelia, the food is not exceptional: industrial hamburgers and chicken wings without interest.
More information about the Guatemalan cuisine.
A question ? Other tips to add ?
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