Tikal
 

I am a solo traveler planning on visiting Tikal for a few days next March. I am wondering what the best place to stay would be? I have read a lot about the Tikal Inn, but was also considering La Casa de Don David, which is in El Remate.

Also, are there any problems traveling back and forth between Belize and Guatemala? I will be flying into Belize City and taking the bus to Tikal (well, close...depends on my hotel arrangements). I will be headed back to Belize to join a tour.

We went as part of a tour group, but we didn't have any problems crossing the border. It was pretty easy with a short wait.

We stayed at the Tikal Inn, and would recommend it to anyone staying in the area. There is no substitute to staying in the park itself.

You can fly between Belize Intl and Flores and then transfer to Tikal.

Or one can spend a few days in the Cayo region and catch a transfer from there.

It would be cheaper and faster to fly into Guatemala City with a connecting flight to Flores. Then take a bus into Belize and enjoy the Cayo region or somewhere else.

I liked the Tikal Inn - it's so close to the site, and that was pretty amazing. We got up very early and went for a walk so that we could hear the sounds of the jungle waking up.

The Tikal Inn is my favorite of the 3 hotels in the park; I recommend staying in the park so you can take full advantage of the cooler evening and earlly morning hours when the wildlife is active and you practically have the place to yourself.

We've never had border problems heading either way. You're probably better off stopping in the San Ignacio area for the night and heading across the border in the morning unless you want to stay in Belize City (ew) and take the Linea Dorada bus from there. You can find lots of info and photos from my visits to Tikal (2003, 2007, 2009) below. Happy trails!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

I've been to La Casa de Don David and can recommend it. The hotels in the park were full when we tried to reserve a spot. El Remate is about 30 minutes from Tikal. I would imagine it would be better to stay in the park if you can.

Are you planning to take a tourist-type of bus from Belize City, or one of the buses that the locals use? I'm asking because I'm under the impression that the tourist buses that go to Tikal stop either at Tikal or Flores, and I'm not sure they would stop at El Remate, if that's where you end up staying. I didn't take a tourist bus, so I don't know for sure. Someone here might correct me, or you could ask when you get there.