I am planning a Belize trip next summer and am thinking about mostly staying in the San Ignacio area but taking a two-day trip across the border to Guatemala to see Tikal and maybe a surrounding point of interest.

How difficult is it to cross the border? Could my husband and I ( late twenties, we've been to CR and the Yucatan before. I'm fluent in Spanish) do this in a rental car? Is it safe? I've read that there have been some areas of concern in Guatemala lately, but maybe that's been overhyped or not anywhere around this area.

Any feedback is appreciated...thanks!

The problem with the rental car idea is that most companies won't let you cross the border. If they do (Crystal is 1, maybe others) you wouldn't have insurance. Frankly, I wouldn't do it. It's easy to put together a trip without a tour, though. Just get to the border by bus or taxi, cross out of Belize and into Guatemala (2 stops), change $ if you need to (know the exchange rate ahead and watch closely) and hire a driver for where you want to go; if you're heading to Tikal you can arrange for them to pick you up the next day (or later) if you want. It's possible to take a bus from the border but it would be heading to Flores, not Tikal; you can get off at the closest intersection and try to hitch on a passing van or taxi but I've never been tempted to try that.

I recommend staying in the park - so great to explore the ruins and jungle during the cooler evening and early morning hours when the wildlife is active and you practically have the place to yourselves. There are cheaper options in Flores (about an hour away) which opens up some transportation options including 1st class buses heading to the dock in Belize City (early morning, ~$25, ~5 hours) and flights. Sometimes I've stayed 1 night in the park and 1 in Flores. In the park my favorite hotel is the Tikal Inn and for Flores check out the Corpetur link or consider Mesa de los Mayas (no website) if you want a good value budget option.
http://www.tikalinn.com
http://corpetur.com/
Mesa de Mayas Flores - Alfaro Lopez <[email protected]>

The El Remate area is in between and there appear to be some nice options there. I've had my eye on this one: Hotel La Mansion Del Pajaro Serpiente
http://www.30minutesfromtikal.com/

I'm not usually a guided tour sort of a gal but highly recommend archaeologist/naturalist Roxy Ortiz. She guides in the area when she's not away on a dig. She's a wealth of knowledge about the flora and fauna as well as about the history and architecture of the ruins and she's a blast to hang out with. She knows the area inside out - her mom runs the Pajaro Serpiente place and her brothers manage the Tikal Inn. I'm looking forward to a return trip to the area so I can hire Roxy to take me to some of the other ruins in the region.
[email protected]

I haven't heard of any issues involving tourists for quite some time. I guess everyone's risk tolerance is different but the risk of missing one of the premier ruins in the world when I'm so close plus my desire to share it with others keeps me going back. Happy trails!

I went with a Guatemalteco family from Belize to Santa Elena/Flores and on to their family's ranch south of there in March. We took a taxi to the border and walked across and I had no problems, and for what its worth, Guate emigracion didn't know I was with them, I don't think. We walked a couple blocks straight ahead and caught a minivan heading to Santa Elena, along with half Peten in the van with us. It isn't comfortable, but they get you down the highway just the same and will let you off anywhere, including the tikal junction. I don't imagine you'd have to wait there long to catch another van coming from Santa Elena going to Tikal. But most importantlly, as I learned on the trip back to Belize: don't drink too much beer before getting in the vans. They don't take bathroom breaks so my Guate buddy and I had to just jump out and run into the bushes when they stopped to drop somebody off. Lucky they didn't leave us.

Have done it on Linea Dorada and ADN bus

thebusschedule.com once in the past with a driver/guide

it was fine lots of border scammers sort of dodgy otherwise

jaguartikal.com was nice for budget at Tikal

La Lancha is the upscale Cuppola resort in the area

great for price also... insuremytrip.com always wise

always try to cross with a group never solo if possible.

Happy Travels!