Across the border from Cayo for a night inside the national park, with entry rules to plan around.
Tikal is in Guatemala, not Belize, but it's close enough to Cayo that many travellers want to see it. The best way is to cross the border at Benque Viejo, stay one night near or inside the national park, and walk the site in the early morning and late afternoon when the forest is loud and the paths are quiet.
This is a side trip, not the reason to come to Belize. If you want a longer Guatemala journey, tell us and we'll point you to specialists in the highlands and Antigua.
Dawn in the park
Staying overnight lets you walk before the day visitors arrive.
Temple IV
The view over the canopy, with the tops of temples poking through.
Wildlife
Spider and howler monkeys, toucans and ocellated turkeys on the plazas.
The border
Departure fees from Belize and Guatemala's entry rules apply; we brief you before.Check before you travel
Boat and flight times are ranges and depend on the weather and the operator. How we get around
We choose places to stay for the setting, the people running them, and how they fit your plans.
You need your passport, time at two border posts, and Guatemala's own entry requirements, which differ from Belize's. Check them for your nationality before you book.
Doing Tikal as a day trip from Cayo is possible but long. We think one night is the right amount.
River lodges on the Macal and Mopan, the ATM cave, pine ridge waterfalls and Caracol.
A jaguar reserve with forest trails and a waterfall, half an hour from the sea.