Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Archaeological research and restoration was carried on by the University of
Pennsylvania and the Guatemalan Instituto de Antropología e Historia until 1969. Since
1991, a joint Guatemalan-Spanish project has worked on conserving and restoring Tem-
plos I and V. The Parque Nacional Tikal (Tikal National Park) was declared a Unesco
World Heritage Site in 1979.
BIRD-WATCHING AT TIKAL
As well as howler and spider monkeys romping through the trees of Tikal, the plethora of birds flitting through
the canopy and across the green expanses of the plazas is impressive. The ruined temple complexes present ideal
viewing platforms for this activity, often providing the ability to look down upon the treetops to observe examples
of the 300 or so bird species (migratory and resident) that have been recorded here. Bring binoculars and a copy
of
The Birds of Tikal: An Annotated Checklist,
by Randell A Beavers, available at the visitor center shop. Tread
quietly and be patient, and you'll probably see some of the following birds in the areas specified:
»
Tody motmots, four trogon species and royal flycatchers around the Templo de las Inscripciones.
»
Two oriole species, keel-billed toucans and collared aracaris in El Mundo Perdido.
»
Great curassows, three species of woodpecker, crested guans, plain chachalacas and three tanager species
around Complejo P.
»
Three kingfisher species, jacanas, blue herons, two species of sandpiper, and great kiskadees at the Aguada
Tikal (Tikal Reservoir) near the entrance. Tiger herons sometimes nest in the huge ceiba tree along the entrance
path.
»
Red-capped and white-collared manakins near Complejo Q; emerald toucanets near Complejo R.
Dedicated birding tours of the site are offered by
Roxy Ortíz
( 5197-5173; tikalroxy.blogspot.com) , an
English-speaking naturalist who's studied wildlife at Tikal for a number of years.
Sights & Activities
Gran Plaza
The path comes into the Gran Plaza around the
Templo I
, the Templo del Gran Jaguar
(Temple of the Grand Jaguar). This was built to honor - and bury - Ah Cacao. The king
may have worked out the plans for the building himself, but it was actually erected above
his tomb by his son, who succeeded him to the throne in 734. The king's rich burial goods
included stingray spines, which were used for ritual bloodletting, 180 jade objects, pearls
and 90 pieces of bone carved with hieroglyphs. At the top of the 44m-high temple is a
small enclosure of three rooms covered by a corbeled arch. The sapodilla-wood lintels
over the doors were richly carved; one of them was removed and is now in a Basel mu-
seum. The lofty roofcomb that crowned the temple was originally adorned with reliefs and
