I will be staying in Antigua three nights, and in Santa Catalina Palopo(Lake Atitlan) for three nights.
Is a day trip to Tikal possible from one of these areas? How long is the flight to Tikal from Gua City? Are there helicopter trips to that area?
Thanks,
lisi

Flight from Gua to Flores is about 1 hour but then you have about a 1 hour bus ride from the airport there to the ruins. It is best if you spend one night in the park. Hard to do Tikal justice with just one day and a hard one at that. You would probably have to leave the park by 2 p.m. to catch the plane back to GUA.

I wholeheartedly agree with nonstop. You must allow at least one overnight. To us Tikal was just as much about the birds and wildlife as it was the temples. It is a long day to see everything

Last Feb we got in early and went directly to Santa Catarina-stayed in Casa Palopo which was our favorite of the whole trip (I am in process of booking for this coming Feb as well!). Drove to Antiqua for a couple of days and then took the flight up to Tikal. From Tikal we went directly from the airport in Flores to the International airport.

Thanks Suzie and Nonstop for your advise about Tikal.
Suzie, did you take the helicopter from the Airport to Casa Palopo? If so, how much was the ride? If not, what form of transportation did you use?
Thanks! Lisi

In Tikal, the guides had removed all the sign posts and there were maps but everyone seemed different and you see people scrutinising them and scratching their heads. The place is set in a jungle and is fairly spread out but relatively easy to walk around. I saw all I wanted to in one busy day.