Mayan Lowlands, Guatemala - Travel Guide

The Mayan Lowlands of Guatemala's Petén region hide some of the most spectacular ancient ruins on Earth. Tikal's towering temples pierce the jungle canopy, while El Mirador - larger than Tikal - remains buried in remote wilderness. This is the heartland of Classic Maya civilization, where howler monkeys roar and toucans fly past pyramids.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay7 days

Budget$40/day

Mid-range$80/day

Luxury$200/day

Known For

mayan_lowlandsguatemalatikalel_miradorpetenfloresyaxhauaxactunmayaancient_ruinsjunglecentral_americatemplespyramidshowler_monkeystoucansarchaeologylost_citiesunesco

🇬🇹 Country Information: Guatemala

CapitalGuatemala City

CurrencyGuatemalan quetzal (Q)

Language Spanish , 23 indigenous languages (e.g., K'iche', Kaqchikel, Mam, Q'eqchi'), Xinca, Garifuna

Phone Code+502

Electricity120V (Type A, B)

Tap WaterNot recommended

Tipping

Tipping is customary in many situations
Restaurants: 10% is standard if a service charge isn't included
Tour guides: Q20
Q50 per person per day is common
Hotel staff: Q5
Q10 for porters, Q10
Q20 for housekeepers per night

Money & Payments

ATMs are common in cities and tourist areas; credit cards are accepted in many hotels and larger businesses, but cash is often preferred for smaller purchases and in rural areas
It is advisable to carry some cash, especially outside of major cities
There isn't a significant black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites or indigenous communities
It's polite to greet people with 'Buenos días', 'Buenas tardes', or 'Buenas noches'
Asking before taking photos of people, especially indigenous individuals, is respectful
Punctuality is often flexible; 'hora guatemalteca' implies a relaxed approach to time

LGBTQ+ Information

Exercise caution. Guatemala does not have specific laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination, and same-sex marriage is not recognized. Societal attitudes can be conservative.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

The legal drinking age is 18
Drug laws are strict, and possession of even small amounts of illegal drugs can lead to severe penalties

Special Laws

Be aware of local laws regarding archaeological sites; it is illegal to remove artifacts
Smoking is prohibited in public enclosed spaces

Common Phrases

NoNo (NOH)

YesSí (SEE)

HelloHola (OH-lah)

PleasePor favor (por fah-VOR)

Excuse meCon permiso (kon per-MEE-so)

Thank youGracias (GRAH-see-ahs)

Climate

Tropical lowland climate - hot and humid year-round. Dry season November-April with best conditions. Wet season May-October with afternoon thunderstorms. Temperatures 25-35°C. Jungle humidity high year-round.

Best Time to Visit

Dry Season: November
April (best time)
Wet Season: May
October
Hottest: April
May
El Mirador treks: February
April best

Getting There

Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS) in Flores has flights from Guatemala City (45 min)
Bus from Guatemala City takes 8
10 hours (some overnight)
Also accessible from Belize (Caye Caulker/San Ignacio)
El Mirador requires 5
day trek or helicopter

Getting Around

From Flores/Santa Elena, organized tours to Tikal most common
Rental cars available but road conditions vary
Shuttles connect Flores to Tikal and other sites
Boats on Lake Petén Itzá
El Mirador requires guided multi
day trek
Local guides essential for remote sites

Health & Vaccinations

Routine vaccinations required
Hepatitis A and Typhoid recommended
Malaria prophylaxis recommended
Yellow fever if from endemic area
Dengue present
use repellent
Limited medical facilities
evac insurance important

Staying Connected

Tigo and Claro providers
Coverage limited in jungle
Flores has 4G
No signal at remote sites
WiFi in hotels/restaurants
Disconnect expected

Local Cuisine

Pepián must_try

Guatemala's national dish - rich, earthy meat stew with roasted spices, tomatoes, and ground seeds. Pre-Hispanic origins. Served with rice and corn to

Kak'ik must_try

Spicy turkey soup from the Q'eqchi' Maya region - red chili broth with whole turkey pieces. Ancient recipe still prepared traditionally. Petén special

Tamales must_try

Guatemalan tamales are larger and wetter than Mexican versions. Wrapped in banana leaves with chicken, pork, or black beans in recado sauce. Saturday

Fresh Tropical Fruit must_try

Petén produces excellent tropical fruits - rambutans, mangoes, papayas, mamey, and more. Fresh juice everywhere. Markets have incredible variety.

Gallo Beer local_favorite

Guatemala's national beer - light lager perfect for hot jungle days. 'Gallo' means rooster. Found absolutely everywhere.

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

El Mirador Trek tour_or_activity

Book 2-8 weeks in advance

Limited departures, especially in peak season. Guides and support needed for remote jungle trek.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

Tikal Sunrise Tour tour_or_activity

Book 2-14 days in advance

Limited early entry permits. Popular tours fill up.

Tikal Lodge Accommodation Accommodation

Book 2-8 weeks in advance

Only 3 lodges inside park. Magical experience worth securing.

Fun Facts

1. El Mirador contains La Danta pyramid, one of the largest pyramids ever built, rising to 72 meters and dating to 600 BCE - predating Tikal's great structures by centuries.
2. Tikal's Temple IV at 70 meters was the tallest human-made structure in the Americas for over 1,000 years until the modern era.
3. Recent LiDAR scanning revealed over 60,000 previously unknown Maya structures hidden beneath the jungle canopy, suggesting a civilization of 10-15 million people.
4. Tikal served as a filming location for Yavin 4 in the original Star Wars film - the rebel base scenes show the temples.

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