Tikal temples at a glance
The main Tikal temple group stands around the Gran Plaza. Temple I, the Temple of the Great Jaguar, closes the plaza on the east side. Temple II faces it on the west. The North Acropolis lies on the north side, and the Central Acropolis with its palaces and courtyards lies to the south. Temple IV, the tallest temple in Tikal, is the viewpoint for special visits such as sunrise.
Give the temples a full day. Regular entrance is GTQ 150 for foreign visitors in 2026, and the park is open daily from 06:00 to 18:00. A guide helps you read the layout, and the Tikal tours from Flores cover the main plaza, the acropolis and the viewpoints in one trip.
The Tikal pyramids compared
Approximate heights and what visitors can do at each one in 2026.
| Structure | Known as | Height | For visitors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temple I | Temple of the Great Jaguar | 45–47 m | View from the Gran Plaza |
| Temple II | Temple of the Masks | About 38 m | Staircase closed from 1 September 2026 for renovation |
| Temple III | – | About 55 m | View only |
| Temple IV | Tallest temple in Tikal | 65–70 m | Viewpoint at sunrise and on special visits, when open |
| Temple V | – | About 57 m | View only |
| Great Pyramid, Mundo Perdido | – | About 31 m | Climb possible when open |
The two heights for Temples I and IV come from different ways of measuring, for example from the platform or from the plaza level. They are not the height of a viewing platform. For most visitors, a good pair is the Gran Plaza with Temples I and II for the classic view, plus Temple IV for the outlook over the forest.
Our pick: the temples with a guide
A guided tour of the ruins with a jungle trail, from Flores.
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.
Guided Tikal tours and sunrise trips
Day tours and early starts from Flores that include the main temples, with live prices and availability.
Temple I and the Great Jaguar
The classic view of Tikal.
Temple I
Temple I is the Temple of the Great Jaguar, a Late Classic building used for ceremonies and as a burial monument. It stands about 47 m high, though some measurements give 45 m. The best view is from the plaza opposite, between Temple I and Temple II. Plan to see it from the ground. Visitors do not climb its original stone stairs.
Temple II
Temple II is the Temple of the Masks, about 38 m high, on the west side of the plaza. Its staircase is closed from 1 September 2026 for renovation work. Check on site whether it has reopened before you plan on a climb.
Plaza and acropolis
The Gran Plaza joins the temples to the North Acropolis and the Central Acropolis. Walk the plaza first, then the acropolis terraces.
Temple IV, the highest temple in Tikal
Temple IV is the tallest temple in Tikal. Depending on the measuring point, it reaches about 65 m from its platform or about 70 m from the plaza level to the roof comb. It is the viewpoint over the forest for special visits such as sunrise.
Access can change after conservation work. In April 2025, for example, entry was limited for two days. For a sunrise visit you need the regular ticket plus the sunrise supplement, so GTQ 250 for foreign visitors in 2026, and an authorized guide on top. Read the Tikal sunrise tour page for times and what to expect. Clouds can hide the view, and no ticket guarantees a clear sky.
Mundo Perdido and the Seven Temples
Mundo Perdido is a separate complex of pyramids and plazas. Its Great Pyramid, about 31 m high, has stairs on all four sides, and it was in use from the Preclassic to the Terminal Classic. Visitors can usually climb it when the signs and staff allow.
The Plaza of the Seven Temples has a row of temples on its east side and a triple ballcourt to the north.
The North Acropolis
The North Acropolis is not a single pyramid. It is a group of dynastic burial complexes, with newer buildings raised over older ones in many phases. That is why the terraces look layered and uneven. Allow time here, because the terraces show many building phases.
The steep stairs are for looking at, not for climbing. Follow the marked paths and the instructions of the staff.
Climbing the Tikal temples
The rules are simple.
Only approved structures
Climb only on structures and wooden stairs or platforms set up for visitors. The signs and the staff on the day decide.
No stone stairs, no roof combs
Original stone stairs are not visitor routes, and nobody climbs on roof combs.
Access changes
A temple can close for work on short notice. Do not build your plans around one climb.
Tikal sunrise tour
Times, tickets and what to expect at Temple IV.
Tikal tickets and hours
Entrance fees and opening times for 2026.
Tikal and Star Wars
The Temple IV view of Yavin 4.
Tikal history
Rulers, dates and the story behind the stones.
Combining Tikal with the highlands? Colonial streets and volcano hikes are covered in the Antigua Guatemala travel guide.
Tikal temples: frequently asked questions
Which is the tallest temple in Tikal?
Temple IV. Depending on where you measure, it is about 65 m from its platform or about 70 m from the plaza level to the roof comb.
Can you climb the temples at Tikal?
Only structures with approved wooden stairs or platforms, and only when they are open. Temple I does not have a visitor climb, and the Temple II staircase is closed from 1 September 2026. Check the signs on the day.
What is the Temple of the Great Jaguar?
It is Temple I, on the east side of the Gran Plaza. It is about 47 m high, dates to the Late Classic and served ceremonies and burials.
Which temple is the sunrise viewpoint?
Temple IV, because it is the viewpoint over the forest. You need the regular ticket, the sunrise supplement and an authorized guide. A clear view cannot be promised.
Is tikalruins.com an official Tikal website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the park or by any government body.