jd51

I'm thinking of renting a car in Beliz City and driving to Tical. Anybody Know anything about the road or other things to think about?

hopefulist

Most rental car companies won't let you cross through the border, though I think Crystal does, though you wouldn't have insurance and the first bit of the road is pretty rough. Be sure to be off the road by dark if you go for it - sun sets around 6:00. That's just not a stretch of road I'd want to be driving; we chose to hire a van driver on the Guat side to take us to Tikal and pick us up the next afternoon. Happy trails...

jd51

How did you get to the Guat side (I'm assuming from Belize) and how did you arrange the van?

hopefulist

I think Linea Dorada has a bus that leaves from Belize City and drives clear to Tikal; local buses are more complicated as they don't cross the border and don't go clear up into the park. We stayed 3-4 nights in the San Ignacio each side of our overnighter to Tikal - San Ig is a great jumping off point less than a dozen miles from the border (and a great base for other adventures in the area). It's easy to bus or taxi to the border, change money, check out of Belize and into Guatemala at the border crossing, and hire a taxi (usually a van) on the other side. I think we paid $50US each way for the 5 in our family. Also, there are several tour operators and lots of lodging options in the San Ignacio area that offer day or overnight trips to Tikal. What other places were you planning to visit in Belize?

jd51

I've been to most of the Mayan ruins but not Tikal and I'm on a tight schedule. I'm flying in to Belize friday around 3, want to spend Sat, and Sun. in Tikal and catch my flight back to SFO at noon on monday.I could book Tropic Air but I want a little adventure and see the countryside. I usually rent and drive but I don't like to drive at night in L. America,I learned my lesson driving from Chichen Itza to Cancun one night in a VW bug with huge trucks in a hurry on my tail and in my face for three hours, and it looks like I might not make it to Tikal on friday if I get out of town around 4;00. It sounds like all those vans and taxis might be the way to go if they don't take too long. How far is it anyway?

Suzie2

I believe Continental and Taca airlines have flights directly to Flores, Guatemala. From Flores you could travel easily to Belize for the remainder of your trip and fly home from Belize. This would make more sense to do if you can find flights on the days you want to travel.

hopefulist

Depending on the mode of ground transport it's 2-3 hours to San Ignacio and another 2-3 to Tikal; no way to do that and make Tikal safely Friday night. You could stay in Belize City and take the Linea Dorada bus or (better) bus to San Ignacio Friday night, stay there, and bus/shuttle or taxi/shuttle or take a tour to Tikal Saturday am through mid afternoon Sunday, stay in San Ig again, and bus/shuttle to the airport Monday morning. That wouldn't give you much time to explore the San Ig area, but you'd get a chance to explore the town, the jungle, or a local village depending on your lodging choice (let us know if you want recommendations). If you decide to do it that way, it might be worth looking into the San Ignacio Shuttle for the airport trip Monday, though they usually target 1:00 departure flights:

http://www.sanignacioshuttle.com/

Katie_Valk

Two 50 mins flights daily between Belize and Flores are US$103.50pp each way.

fuzzylogic

Hi - thinking of doing a similar trip by public transport.

Hopefulist - you say it is easy enuf to get to the border from San I - and take a taxi or van on the other side. You were 5 - I will be one. Is there a bus from the border to Tikal/Flores/San Elena - wherever - you know, close enough? Or if not, are the vans the sort that wait around till they are full before leaving? That's fine. Or must you charter the whole vehicle?

And yes - hints on good budget places to stay within visiting distance of Tikal would be welcome.

Don't need a/c - prefer low rise, family run, preferably with verandah or garden.

Thx for any info you can give.

hopefulist

The Trek Stop www.thetrekstop.com in San José Succotz is a great jumping off place and the owners were very helpful in getting us set up to visit Tikal on our own (in other words, without a tour guide or group). There are buses that run from border to El Remate (I believe - turn off to the park, maybe half an hour away) then onto Flores; you could definitely get a shuttle from Flores to Tikal and probably flag something down in El Remate going that way, though going clear to Flores would add an hour and a half or 2 to the trip. We didn't feel that was an option for us. I'm not sure any of the vans wait around like a collectivo, though it's possible. It's also possible you could connect at your lodging or at the border with other travelers who want to share the cost. You might also want to look into a place like Mayawalk Tours in San Ignacio about a transportation-only tour, and the folks at whatever lodging you choose might have ideas for you or know someone who does that run.

If you have an extra day or 2 to spend, you could consider spending a night in Flores and a night in the park. We stayed in the park at the Jaguar Inn: http://www.jaguartikal.com/ .

Hope that helps. We had a blast in that part of the world. Happy trails...