Tikal hosts Gran Jaguar 70.3 on 28 November 2026

Tikal will host the Gran Jaguar 70.3 on 28 November 2026, bringing a national triathlon to the Maya archaeological site near Flores, Guatemala. The organiser says the race will finish behind Temple I, also known as the Great Jaguar.

Gran Jaguar 70.3 reaches Tikal on 28 November

Más Deporte lists the XXIII edition of the Gran Jaguar 70.3 for Saturday 28 November 2026. The programme begins with a 7am start for all categories, while the athlete registration and briefing are scheduled for Friday 27 November in Flores.

The competition combines a 1.9 km swim in Lake Petén Itzá, a 90 km cycling course and a 21 km run. The organiser places the first transition at Hotel Maya Internacional in Flores and the second in the green area near the museum at Tikal National Park. The finish line is behind Temple I.

The cycling route heads from Flores towards Tikal after passing through Santa Ana and El Remate. The run then follows roads and paths through the park, passing the Twin Pyramids, the North Acropolis and the Great Plaza before reaching the final section at Temple I. The organiser's race programme sets out the date, route and finish area.

Tikal's Temple I anchors the race route

The event uses the archaeological centre as its final running stage rather than treating Tikal only as a nearby place name. That route brings the last part of the race beside major ceremonial spaces identified by UNESCO, including the Great Plaza and the Twin Pyramid Complexes.

UNESCO describes Tikal National Park as a major Maya centre in northern Guatemala's Petén Province. The property covers 57,600 hectares and contains temples, palaces, plazas, roads and residential remains within a wider forest landscape. Its archaeological record extends from the Preclassic Period to the decline of the urban centre around 900 AD.

UNESCO inscribed Tikal National Park on the World Heritage List in 1979. The park is also recognised for its natural setting, with wetlands, savannah and tropical forest surrounding the monumental core. UNESCO's Tikal profile records both the cultural and natural significance of the property.

Visiting Tikal: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The Gran Jaguar 70.3 takes place on Saturday 28 November 2026, with the race start listed at 7am and the finish behind Temple I.
• The event's route includes Tikal National Park, with the cycling-to-running transition in the green area near the museum and the final run through the archaeological centre.
• Tikal is in the Petén region of Guatemala, while the race registration and first transition are in Flores at Hotel Maya Internacional.
• The course includes 90 km of cycling and a 21 km run, with uneven and forested sections inside the park.
• Spanish is Guatemala's official language and the national currency is the quetzal.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Tikal

When does the Gran Jaguar 70.3 take place at Tikal?

The race is scheduled for Saturday 28 November 2026, with the organiser listing a 7am start for all categories.

Where is Tikal and how do you get there?

Tikal National Park is in Guatemala's Petén region, while Flores is the location of the race's first transition at Hotel Maya Internacional.

What is Tikal?

Tikal is a Maya archaeological centre within a 57,600-hectare national park that UNESCO inscribed as World Heritage in 1979.