I was born and raised in Guatemala. Here are 10 big mistakes I see tourists make when visiting the Maya ruins.

Tikal is a famous archaeological site located in Guatemala’s northern region. Shutterstock I’m a Guatemalan who’s watched tourists repeat the same mistakes during trips to the Maya ruins. Many people mistime their visits and enter the parks at peak heat and humidity.

Some tourists incorrectly assume all ruins are similar to Tikal and skip the surrounding sites. The Maya ruins are on many travelers’ bucket lists, but that doesn’t stop them from making mistakes once they get there. I’ve visited Tikal many times and watched tourists make the same mistakes.

Isabella RolzAs someone born and raised in Guatemala City, I got used to tourists from around the globe visiting my home country. During the 23 years I lived in the capital city, I watched newcomers make the same mistakes over and over again — especially in Petén, the northern region where most of the country’s Maya ruins are found.  For many adventurous travelers, Petén is a bucket-list destination.

It occupies more than one-third of Guatemala and is home to Tikal National Park, one of the most important archaeological sites left behind by the Maya civilization. I want visitors to make the most of their time in Guatemala, so here are my recommendations for what they should and shouldn’t do at the historic ruins. To avoid a long drives to the ruins, consider traveling to Petén by air.

Tikal National Park is located in Petén. Isabella RolzMany tourists fly into Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airport. From the capital, there are plenty of different modes of transportation that go north to the ruins.

 Several travel companies offer shuttle and bus services from Guatemala City to Petén. These options can be expensive, ranging from $50 to $85 for a one-way ticket, and the drive can take approximately four to five hours because of traffic.  I recommend avoiding this route and flying instead.

TAG Airlines has a direct 40-minute flight from La Aurora to Petén’s Mundo Maya Airport, and a round-trip ticket typically costs between $70 to $100. Be aware of your surroundings, but don’t let safety concerns get in the way of your trip. At most of the ruins, there are guards dedicated to keeping visitors safe.

Isabella RolzThe Maya ruins are one of the safest places to visit in Guatemala. They are usually filled with tourists, and most of them have around-the-clock security. However, there is crime in the Latin American country, so travelers should take care of their belongings, be vigilant of their surroundings, and take the same precautions they would in any other place in the world.

They shouldn’t let prejudices or safety concerns stop them from seeing the ruins, though. Research the Maya civilization before visiting Tikal National Park. Tikal is one of the most popular sites to visit in Petén.

Isabella RolzTikal is a complex of ruins that was once an economic, political, and military center of the Maya civilization. It’s a highly touristed spot, and I recommend that visitors book a tour guide to take them through the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s temples, palaces, and plazas.  However, they should also do their own background research on the Maya civilization ahead of the trip.

Having a baseline understanding elevates the entire experience. If you want to avoid intense heat and humidity, choose the right season and time of day to visit the ruins. There are so many natural wonders surrounding the ruins.

Isabella RolzEven though the park is open year-round from 6 a. m. to 6 p.

m. , tourists should be strategic about their timing. In general, the most temperate season to visit is winter, specifically between December and January.

However, February through May is also a good window since it precedes the rainy season.  Be warned that Petén can get hot and humid year-round, with temperatures surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Tourists should explore the ruins in the early morning or afternoon, when the sun is slightly weaker.

 Don’t skip out on a visit to Yaxhá National Park — my favorite place to watch the sunset. Yaxhá should make its way onto every traveler’s itinerary. Isabella RolzI’ve witnessed the most spectacular sunsets of my life at Yaxhá, an archaeological site that served as a ceremonial center for the Maya civilization.

Many tourists skip a visit to Yaxhá’s temples and acropolis, incorrectly assuming that the ruins are too similar to Tikal. However, there’s nothing more impressive than the view of the Yaxhá Lake from the top of the main temple. Yaxhá, also in Petén, is only a one-hour drive from Tikal, so many tours offer to do both on the same day.

But I recommend visiting the sites on separate days to ensure that you aren’t rushed.  Wear the right clothes, and be prepared to sweat through them. Whenever I go to the ruins, I dress for comfort.

Isabella RolzYou can dress to impress in your vacation photos, but you should also consider that you’ll probably be walking through the archaeological sites for at least three to four hours each day. Go for comfort. I recommend wearing workout clothes that wick sweat and walking shoes that won’t leave you with blisters.

There’s no specific dress code for the temples, so travelers should wear whatever they want. But perhaps save your fancy outfit for a nice dinner. Instead of booking a hotel directly outside of the ruins, choose one in Flores.

Flores is filled with colorful buildings, delicious restaurants, and lively bars. Isabella RolzIn my experience, the places to stay near the ruins are limited in number and outdated. And aside from the activity surrounding the parks, the area around Tikal is fairly quiet.

Tourists who are looking for more activity should book their accommodations in Flores, Petén’s main city, instead.  Flores is approximately an hour-and-a-half drive from the Maya ruins. Between its colorful buildings and outstanding restaurants overlooking Lake Petén Itzá, the city is worth the added travel time.

There are accommodation options for all tastes and price ranges, ranging from luxurious hotels to comfortable hostels, along with various nightlife joints and bars across town. When you visit the Maya ruins, carve out some time to learn about the wildlife and swim in crystalline craters. During my trips to Petén, I always look for unique wildlife.

Isabella RolzThere’s so much exploring to be done in the area surrounding the ruins, especially for those interested in nature and wildlife. The Maya Biosphere Reserve in Petén is one of Central America’s most important tropical forests, and Las Guacamayas Biological Station in Flores is a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts, as they can spot species from macaw to crocodiles there.  My favorite attraction in the area is the Blue Crater, a crystalline body of water that’s part of Petén’s La Pasión River.

 I recommend reserving an entire morning for an all-inclusive tour, complete with boat transportation, food, and drinks. However, you should make sure the forecast is clear. If there’s bad weather, excursions may be canceled, or you may not be able to enjoy the same scenery.

Don’t forget to carry a backpack with plenty of snacks and water. Tourists should prepare to do a lot of walking when they’re exploring Tikal. Isabella RolzA lot of tourist services bring food and drinks, but it’s a good idea to have your own backup supplies.

I suggest carrying a backpack or small bag with water and snacks for extra energy during your journey. Vendors sell food in the archaeological parks, but it’s usually expensive, and the quality isn’t always amazing. Instead of buying food there, tourists can try to eat at nearby restaurants outside of the park, where most meals cost less.

Finally, thank your tour guides and leave them tips. I recommend booking a tour guide to make the most of your trip to the ruins. Isabella RolzTipping isn’t mandatory in Guatemala, but you should still do it.

 Tour guides do their best to speak different languages, prepare for questions, and study the Maya civilization to give their clients the best experience possible. If you received great service from your guide, express your gratitude by thanking them and leaving a generous tip. Read the original article on Insider.