How to get to Tikal
Almost everyone reaches Tikal from Flores. You fly into Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS) in Santa Elena, or you come overland, then cover the last 63 km by shuttle, tour or car. The road takes about 1 hour. These are guide times, not promised transfer times.
If you would rather not organize the transfer yourself, a guided Tikal tour from Flores bundles the transport and a guide. The sections below cover the independent options.
Our pick: straight from the airport
Land at Mundo Maya airport and go straight to Tikal with a guide.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tikal tours with transport from Flores
Guided tours that include the transfer, with live prices and availability.
Mundo Maya Airport and flights to Flores
The airport is the regional arrival point.
Mundo Maya International Airport, IATA code FRS, is in the Santa Elena district. It is not on the Flores island and not inside the ruins. TAG and Avianca both sell flights from Guatemala City to Flores. The flight takes about 1 hour. Compare options for the flight and the bus on the page for Tikal from Guatemala City.
From the airport you can take a hotel shuttle or a pre-booked transfer to Flores or El Remate. Lodges in the park may offer airport shuttles for guests, so ask when you book.
Flores to Tikal: shuttle and microbus
Times for 2026. Confirm before you travel.
| Option | Times | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle from Flores | 06:00, 07:45, 10:00, 12:00; return 15:15 | $15 one way, $20 round trip | Meets at the "I love Peten" sign at the island entrance. Reserve 48 hours ahead. |
| Lodge shuttle from the airport | 07:30, 10:35, 13:45, 16:50, 20:00; return 05:00, 08:15, 11:00, 14:00, 17:00 | $19 one way, $28 round trip | A lodge's guest service. Changes are possible, book at least 48 hours ahead. |
| Collective and private microbus | Daily | – | Agree on the fare before you go. |
Treat the times as a guide and confirm them before you travel. For most visitors, the Flores shuttle is the simplest independent option. If you stay inside the park, use your lodge's shuttle.
Driving from Flores to Tikal
The route is short and direct.
The route
Leave Flores on CA-13 toward Melchor de Mencos. In Ixlú, turn left toward El Remate, then continue to the park.
From Guatemala City
The distance to Tikal is 484 to 527 km depending on the route. Allow a full day by road, and plan to arrive in daylight.
Parking
Guests of Tikal Inn can use free private parking without a reservation. For everyone else, ask about parking charges before you go.
Road safety
Road blockades are possible in Petén. Check your route before a long drive, and avoid driving at night.
The checkpoint and your ticket
The first checkpoint is about 20 km before the visitor center. There is no ticket office inside the park, and mobile coverage is limited. You can pay online by Visa or Mastercard, which adds 2.30 percent for international cards, or in cash at the BANTRAB counter at the checkpoint or in a branch elsewhere in the country. If your hotel mentions a different bank, ask how it handles tickets.
Bring the official PDF ticket (form 63A2) and a valid ID, on your phone or printed. It is not a QR ticket. A foreign adult pays GTQ 150 for the regular entry in 2026. The park is open daily from 06:00 to 18:00. A hotel transfer that arrives late does not extend the opening hours. See the Tikal tickets page for all prices and the sunrise supplement.
Travel advice for your route
Read the current notices before you go.
Austria's advice, valid since 25 September 2026, rates Petén and the border area with Mexico at level 3 of 4, advises against non-essential travel there and recommends flying to Tikal where possible. Germany's advice, valid since 20 August 2026, points to a risk of robbery, including in Flores and Tikal, and to possible road blockades. It also says not to hike alone. These notices are not a ban on visiting. They are a reason to fly, to travel in daylight and to use guided programs.
Getting to Tikal: frequently asked questions
How far is Tikal from Flores?
63 km, about 1 hour by road. The route runs on CA-13, turns left in Ixlú toward El Remate and continues to the park.
Is there a bus from Flores to Tikal?
Collective and private microbuses run daily, and shuttles leave from Flores at set times. Fares and line numbers vary, so confirm the departure with your hotel.
Can I buy my ticket at the park entrance?
There is no ticket office inside the park. Pay online or in cash at the BANTRAB counter at the first checkpoint, about 20 km before the visitor center.
Do I need a guide to enter Tikal?
Not for the regular daytime visit. A guide is required for the special early and evening visits.
How far is Tikal from Guatemala City?
484 to 527 km depending on the route. Most visitors fly to Flores, which takes about 1 hour.
Is this the official Tikal website?
No. This is an independent guide. The official ticket shop sells entry, and tours are booked with the operators shown on the cards.