Petén Travel Guides (Updated September 2026)

A really brilliant trip - worth the price and the 2:30am wake up for the drive from Flores. Seeing the sunrise over Tikal was so special, and to be there before the heat of the day was a blessing too. Marlon’s knowledge about the history of the area was encyclopaedic and his ability to spot wildlife was unparalleled. We had English and Spanish speakers in our group and it worked well for all as he would make sure he covered everything in both languages. We had 3 in our group, it felt like a special personal tour and experience.There are Q250pp entrance fees to pay (if you are not Guatemalan) which are not included in the tour price but Marlon arranged these and we paid in cash.Marlon has a great approach to regenerative tourism and shared with us his mission to pick up pieces of plastic found in the park to stop the animals getting hold of them (not that there was a lot, but things here and there). We helped too. Would love to see more of this.

The experience was spectacular! Marlon was an impressive guide, not only because of the knowledge he provided, but he adapted to the group, included very cool details (at breakfast, at lunch...) and you can tell he loves his job. He is a very careful and organized person and that is noticeable.Perhaps it was one of the more expensive tours, but it is also a much smaller group and all the care and attention they provide was worth it to us.

Aquilino’s deep knowledge of Tikal, the safe and comfortable van, and the magic of this extraordinary place made for an unforgettable experience.

Alejandro was a good guide and explained things to us very well. The driver was also excellent. The food was super delicious.

Omar was an amazing guide. He was friendly, easy to understand and shared a wealth of knowledge covering much more than the ancient history of Tikal. He knew how to avoid the crowds. We were very happy we took this tour.

The Tikal VIP agency is everything they promise and more. Punctual, organized, kind, respectful of their culture and diversity. The vehicles are modern and the food is delicious. It is ethical, careful, and first-class tourism. We took the sunrise tour in Tikal and the sunset tour in Yaxha. What can you say... It is pure magic!! A connection with the past, with nature, and with oneself. The animals and the vegetation stimulate an ancestral part of your brain. My son is a young biologist and he was able to take his time and learn a lot from our guide Oscar. Oscar is a very wise gentleman full of vitality; you can perceive the love he has for his work and how he strives to share his knowledge and cultural richness. He is a responsible, punctual professional who goes at your pace. While I watched the groups running from one side to the other, we walked with Oscar. It was like having a private tutor, one of those who knows everything and seeks to enhance your experience. They don't rip you off, they encourage you. Time fades away. The experience is 100 out of 100. Thanks to Tikal VIP, to Oscar and Daniel.

This experience exceeded all of my expectations! I had an incredible time from start to finish. The service was exceptional, and everything was well organized.Our tour guide, Kendal, was knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely kind. He made the experience both informative and enjoyable. Our driver, Daniel, was excellent as well—we felt safe and well taken care of throughout the entire trip.Even though the sunrise was hidden by the overcast skies, the experience was still absolutely worth every penny. I highly recommend VIP Tours to anyone visiting Tikal!

We did the Tikal sunrise tour and then added on the Yaxha tour. It was incredible. Total cost was $290 per person and was well worth it. The communication with the tour company was great, they were clear about what was offered, what they needed from us, and what we should bring with us. They told us the day would start very early (2:50 AM) so that we would be at Tikal in time to see the sunrise from Temple 4. Our driver, Daniel, was excellent. He opened the doors for us and offered us waters, sodas, and sports drinks throughout the tour from a cooler in the vehicle. Our tour guide, Kendel, really made the trip special. He was very informative and caring. He knew how to pace us well and answered all our questions thoughtfully. We can also tell that he loves nature because he would pause, and motion for us to be quiet and pay attention when he noticed local wildlife and then point it out for us. We got many great pictures and videos of the complexes and the local flora and fauna. We went in mid June and although it starting getting hot was around 10 AM, it was worth it because there were so few other tourists there. It felt like a private tour of the park, and at Yaxha we were literally the only tourists there. After Tikal we had brunch around 10 AM, included in the tour cost, at Restaurante Gonzalez, a local restaurant. Good food and service. We then took the long drive to Yaxha, about an hour and a half, and we're able to rest again. We finished the day back at the hotel around 4 PM. It was a trip we will never forget, such a wonderful experience and great memories!

I highly recommend this well organized and informative tour. Lucio picked us up at our hotel at the scheduled time and Marlon stood in line to ensure that we were one of the first groups to enter the park when the gates opened. While we waited for the park to open, we were provided coffee, hot chocolate, banana, and cookie. We then walked to the ruins, surrounded by the sounds of howler monkeys. Once we arrived at the temple, Marlon showed us exactly where to sit to get a great view. After the morning show, Marlon provided a local snack of corn tortillas with beans, which were prepared by his wife. Throughout the tour, Marlon went out of his way to find wildlife (monkeys, birds, etc.) and to share information about the ruins, wildlife, and fauna. At all times, he tried to gear the tour towards items that the group was most interested in (wildlife vs ruins). To top it all off, after the tour, we were provided with an excellent lunch at a restaurant near the park entrance. Great day!!

EXCELLENT!!! Sunrise and Sunset Tours. Marlon is amazing, and really a lovely person. His English is excellent. He took us within the sites, where no other tour would be. He knew the animals, insects, history of the different sites, archeology and history. Very informative, Very concerned with all of us having all questions answered, and to have the best experience possible . The food he provided was amazing and delicious. Marlon was absolutely on time and ready to go. Very very organized. Everybody on the tour agreed, it was worth the cost.!!!. I have been all over the world, and Gem Tours is excellent and reliable.

César is an excellent guide, he knows the Mayan culture of the place and of all Mesoamerica perfectly. Tolerant, enthusiastic, and friendly

Without a doubt, one of the most incredible experiences in Guatemala. My son and I did the Tikal sunrise and Yaxha sunset tour, and it was an excellent investment. Tikal is as magical as a Mayan city in the middle of the jungle can be. And if we add to that the knowledge and quality of the Tikal VIP agency, you will combine comfort with knowledge. Oscar, our guide, is a scholar of Guatemalan and Mayan history. He is attentive and respectful of your pace. He reads the tourist's profile and acts accordingly to their tastes and interests. Punctual, organized, with modern vehicles, friendly, and knowledgeable about the cultural richness of Tikal and Yaxha. Thank you, Oscar, and also thank you to Daniel, our driver.

The guide Alejandro was very attentive and respectful. It is a tour with many pleasant surprises

We couldn’t have been luckier connecting with Elmer. He spoke better English than I did 😄 and was engaging for the whole family, even the young kids. What a great experience. Thank you!

We had high expectations for Tikal and it surpassed them! The complex itself was bigger and more impressive than I imagined. Our private tour guide Kendel was extremely knowledgeable and generous with his time, patiently allowing us to stay longer at places of interest including at the end of the tour to see the Spider Monkeys playing in the trees. Overall, it was a great day at Tikal!

Thank you to Gelver and Fidias for a terrific private sunrise tour of Tikal! As guide and driver they were excellent - incredibly knowledgable about the archeological site, the Maya, flora and fauna. The tour began before we even left our hotel driveway with an explanation of the constellations and how they impacted the placement of the site's buildings. Gelver's English was terrific for the non- Spanish speakers in our family. Getting to Temple IV well before sunrise gave us an amazing view of the stars before most tourists arrived. After sunrise we had a full tour of the rest of the site - really terrific and fascinating. Cannot recommend these folks highly enough!