Extended Tours

Aside from hotel-run overnight or multiday tours, ARCAS runs special ecotours. Martsam Travel offers many different types of tours in the area. Tip tour guides about 10% of the tour price.

Contacts

ARCAS EcoTours. These carefully planned 7- and 10-day ecotours with the great conservation non-profit ARCAS will show you the best and furriest of Petén. Mayan Biosphere Reserve , Flores, Petén. 502/5208–0968.

Martsam Travel. This U.S.-based tour and travel agency with an office in Flores gives multiday packages and adventure tours in Petén. Calle 30 de Junio, lobby of Capitán Tortuga, Flores, Petén. 502/7926–0346; 866/832–2776; www.martsam.com.

From Belize

Many tour operators in the San Ignacio, Belize, area operate day and overnight or multinight Tikal tours. You'll pay more in Belize than in Guatemala, but you reduce the hassle factor significantly—you'll probably be picked up at your Cayo hotel, whisked across the border, provided with a guide to Tikal, and fed lunch (hotel accommodations are arranged if you're staying overnight). You'll typically pay US$150 for a day tour to Tikal from San Ignacio. Overnight tours can be as much as US$450, but include a sunrise tour. When comparing tour costs, check to see if border fees and Tikal admission are included.