Following a week in Maya Riviera, Mexico, then a solo journey to Bacalar, Mexico, crossing into Belize. Stayed in the Capital and on San Pedro Caye, then inland to Santa Elena. (see previous posts) Time for a bucket list journey across the border to Tikal, Guatemala. Solo travel!
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Dec. 18 2024 Santa Elena, Belize
TIKAL, GUATEMALA
Up at 6:00 am for the shuttle with Kamir (Belizean). One other couple from Pittsburgh, Olga and Greg. Great to have such a private tour. In route to the Belize/Guatemala border, we stopped at a little shop where a woman made homemade Belizean style burritos. Yum! Kamir drove us less than 30 minutes to the border, paid the $20 (US) departure tax, and waited for us to exit the country. Then we walked through “no man’s land” to Guatemala immigration. Easy as well. Omar our guide and Walter our driver greeted us on the other side, and off we went through Guatemala.
They also stopped at a roadside stand, this time for delicious homemade pupusas, which I also had to eat! I used the colorful Quetzal money we exchanged Belizean $ for.
Drive to Tikal
It was about 2 hours to Tikal, through villages, past lakes, the very full river (my upcoming horse journey is in jeopardy as it’s closed right now due to the high river). We entered the National Park and then it was another 17km through the unspoiled rainforest to the parking lot.
I was amazed at modern facilities and signage. Really impressive site. Tikal itself is magnificent. Photos don’t do it justice. We walked 12,000 steps through the rainforest, over tree roots, in mud, stairs, paths. Our expert guide would point out Maya strutures buried beneath the greenery that we never would have seen. We climbed the ones that were allowed. Everything very slippery. There’s been so much rain.
History
The full scale of Tikal is just awe inspiring. So many theories about the ancient civilization. Omar explained that in Guatemala about 50% of the population is still full Mayan. Some of the altars are active for the local people (candles, gifts, etc. rather than sacrifices of yesteryear).
Tikal in its heyday did not have the jungle, it was cleared, with huge courtyards. Such an advanced culture and people. I can’t begin to describe it.
Wildlife
Added bonus was the rainforest wildlife. We were lucky to see a lot of spider monkeys, and a few howler moneys. Their haunting “Lost World” calls echo throughout the complex. Magical. Omar pointed out an antereater… in a tree!! I didn’t know that was possible. Coatimundis (like in Mexico). Two types of stingless bees with nests in trees. A toucan!
The trees are magnificent themselves. The ceiba is the national tree of Guatemala. A beauty was over 150 years old. Many of the trees have airplants (bromeliads).
I cannot believe my good fortune to have seen the creatures of the sea only a few days ago, and now the magnificent rain forest.
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