Guatemala > Police escort to Tikal

With a final breakfast on Mainstreet, I conclude my visit to Caye Caulker. I will miss the relaxed atmosphere. I also have to get used again to the fact that Spanish will be spoken over the next few days. I walk to the pier for the water taxi. In the distance, I can already see the ferry speeding toward me. The boat comes from San Pedro, an island further along. My luggage is quickly loaded on board. In fifty minutes, the boat takes me back to Belize City. Isai hasn’t arrived with the bus yet. He was delayed this morning by hold-ups at the border. With a slight delay, I drive the same route as two days ago back to the border. From there, I continue on to Tikal. Around 12:30, I arrive at the border between Belize and Guatemala. I have to pay 37.50 Belize dollars, which is almost 20 US dollars. Soon, the officer runs out of change.

Guatemala - Two police officers accompany the bus ride in Guatemala near Tikal

Everyone pays with 20-dollar bills. Luckily, he manages to find some change. The border formalities on the Guatemalan side also go smoothly. Two police officers are waiting at the border. Because tourists have been harassed in the area around Tikal in the past, the trip is conducted under escort as a precaution. Normally, a police car follows the bus, but now the officers are waiting at the border. Everyone shifts a little so that the officers can ride along in the bus—a safer journey under police escort to Tikal. Lunch is ready at a nice local restaurant. The order had been called in advance, so my meal is quickly served. Then it’s about a two-hour drive to Tikal. At the entrance to Tikal National Park, an entry ticket must be purchased. I am still quite far from the archaeological site itself. Tikal National Park covers a large portion of northern Guatemala. As the bus drives through the park, there are warnings everywhere about crossing wildlife. I look around for any wild animals, but unfortunately, I spot none. Around four o’clock, I arrive at Tikal. I will stay at the Jungle Lodge, a resort right next to the entrance of Tikal. Many other travelers stay in the town of Flores, forty kilometers away. The advantage of staying here is that I can walk directly into the park early tomorrow morning and see the temples at sunrise. The lodge has small, simple cottages. Electricity is generated by a generator, with power available from 5:30 a.m. to midnight. Sanitary facilities and showers are centrally located. In the restaurant, I order a beer. In the evening, I also have dinner there. In my room, I try to hang my mosquito net. There are no hooks available. Using medical tape, I manage to attach the net to the beams. I crawl under my net early because I have to get up early again tomorrow.