Most visitors reach Tikal from Flores or nearby Santa Elena, the main gateway towns. Colectivos and tourist shuttles make the 65 km trip in about an hour, departing throughout the morning. If you want to arrive for sunrise, arrange transport the night before — several hotels and agencies in Flores offer early-morning shuttle departures around 04:00.
From Mexico, it is possible to cross overland from Palenque via either the Rio San Pedro or the Rio Usumacinta border crossings, though the journey is long and connections are infrequent. From Belize, minibuses run from Belize City via the western border at Melchor de Mencos; book the day before and check departure times as they leave early.