tikal museum / museo sylvanus g. morley

it was awesome to see the artifacts found on this sight. they were very crafty people. in those days. I love the mayan culture.

The colection of ceramics at the museum is nice to see because it has a relation with the city and temple has been excavated, I would say that they are master pieces found by Pensylvania proyect at the tikal excavations.

The two museum buildings have excellent exhibits. We were disappointed that the original museum building with two of the main artifacts: Stela 31 and a king's burial artifacts is closed. Given the minimal staffing required to keep it open, it is shocking that the park has closed it.

Very impressive. The site is huge and there are lots of different temples to see. You also get to see lots of wildlife because it's in the middle of the jungle. We saw lots of spider monkeys, a tucan and lots of other smaller animals. Our guides name was Miguel. He was brilliant- very informative. Wear good shoes as there's lots of climbing/ walking up steps etc. Overall a highly impressive site to visit. Really enjoyed it.

A new facility using the old cabinets from the old museum. But, their storeroom is packed with artifacts to be cataloged and put on display . . . someday soon I hope.

There are two museums in the Tikal National Park entrance areal; the Ceramic Museum (never open when I was there) and Museo Litico. I learned from the guard that most of the ceramic collections were moved to the Conservation and Research Center and visitors can view the collection there, The ceramic collection is rather limited in size. The Museo Litico houses incredible information of the discover and restoration of the Tikal site. However, the information are all in Spanish. The cost to enter all the museum is 30 Q . Information you get is not that different from information that you get from books in the market. If you have time, it is worth visiting. If you do not have time, it is not a great lost of the trip. Photos and video taping are not allow in Litico. You can take photos of ceramic collection as long as with no flash.

Plan on a day of hiking so you can see everything there is to see! Such an AMAZING tour!! Marco was a fabulous tour guide. He made the experience even better!

There are 2 museums here...one covers the archealogic timeline with good photos....but all in Spanish, AND due electricity issues, hard to see if the sun is not shining! The 2nd museum is tiny, with little of interest except the mummy and the jade found in the tomb.

We were only able to spend the day in Tikal, but what a day it was! Tikal is truly in the jungle. You'll walk a lot and sweat like crazy but your reward will be the sites and sounds of the resident howler and spider monkeys and other creatures who call this beautiful place home. Although only about 20% of Tikal has been excavated, it was truly amazing to see these great temples and to hear the stories behind each one from our Guatemalan guide Pablo. I'm in awe whenever I think of the Mayan people and their history. Don't miss climbing the stairs to the top of Temple IV- the view over the treetops to other temples is fantastic.

We went here after going through a fair amount of Tikal itself. Although the pictures were very cool to look at, there was no English translation of the history of Tikal which was kind of unfortunate. At the same time, there was no lighting so some of the artifacts were tough to look at. They just looked like rocks. With lighting you would have maybe been able to see some of the detailing on the rocks.

Hi!We just visited Tikal, Guatemala this October, while staying in San Ignacio, Belize.We did not know how difficult it would be getting across the border but with the help of our awesome tour guide "Carlos the Caveman" it was easy.Guatemala requires that all Tikal guides be from there so we met Carlos's Guatemalan counterpart at the border and the paperwork went like a snap. Don't worry about the guys with machine guns. I think their bark is worse than their bite. Just don't stare at them. Wow! The drive from San Ignacio to Tikal is beautiful. Good roads, rolling hills, lakes, tiny villages with great coffee and local food. Our tour guide stopped at a little village so we could stretch our legs (the drive is about an hour and a half total) and showed us how the local ladies wash clothes in the lake (See photo). We have it easy compared to these folk.Tikal was amazing. It never ends and one temple is larger and more amazing than the next. The grand plaza was incredible. It is unbelievable to think that this "grand daddy" of Mayan ruins, built around 600 AD is so accessible to the public. You are allowed everywhere and to climb most everything. Tikal is in the jungle and some, if not most, of the ruins are partially covered by vegetation. Howler monkeys, spider monkeys, toucans, racoony things as well as a resident crocodile are easily seen. Wear hiking boots or sneakers as there are bugs and really big spiders.If you get thirsty on the approx. 10 km walking tour you can buy cold beer or bottled water at little bars set up in the shade of the jungle. Guatemalan beer is called Gallo and it is good. Very good actually. The main entrance has a nice gift shop, a scale mock up of the entire ruin and a pretty good restaurant.Not going to kid you. You better be in shape for this. It is a lot of walking, high humidity and warm. Also, climbing the temples is fun and the views are amazing but if you are afraid of heights you may want to think twice. Guatemalan safety is not what we are used to (which is refreshing actually) so falling off one of these bad boys is not hard.Thumbs up!, but not for the faint of heart or if you have a bad heart.Trevor

We visited Tikal in Guatemala in October. Its a full (hard) days ride from Guatemala City. It was still warm (90's) and humid in the jungle. The Myan site is amazing, and well worth a visit. The ruins are thousands of years old and only a small part has been uncovered. Many of the temples and pyramids can be climbed for a great view. The park is huge, and fillwd with wildlife, so plan for one or more days and LOTS of (sweaty) walking. We secured a guide and I would strongly recommend it. With the guide - we saw many things we would not have found or understood on our own. I would also suggest bringing a bag lunch if you're coming for just one day. Rest rooms and cold drinks are available in the park. Billooltewah USA

Tikal is a gem of the Mayan world. Guatemala is rightly proud of the complex, and it shows. The grounds were beautifully maintained, and the ruins themselves were awe inspiring. For anyone who says that the Maya were a primitive culture, I dare them to visit.

Tikal is one of the most awsome places in Central America. Go there and when there please also spend a few quetsales on the museum. Without money it will deteriorate further. What a pitty that would be.

Now you pay Q30 to enter one museo and get a ticket that will let you into the other, so be sure to see both.