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Place in El Petén, Guatemala
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Flores is a town in Petén, Guatemala. The town proper is an island on Lago Petén Itzá (la isla), connected to land by a causeway (el puente), on the other side of which lie the twin towns Santa Elena and San Benito. All three are often referred to as Flores, and are grouped in one article here accordingly.
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La Cueva de la Serpiente, the cave of the serpent
Inside the cave are many formations that resemble various objects, such as animals, people, and of course ordinary stalagmites and stalactites. Most of the relics are labeled (in Spanish) and will be identified by your guide.
A wildlife rescue center dedicated to the prevention of animal trafficking. There are possibilities to offer your services here as a volunteer. The center operates its own boat service from Flores, with boats leaving at 08:00 and 15:00. Alternatively, take a boat to the Petencito Zoo, which is located nearby.
A small zoo that is home to monkeys, jaguars and raccoons as well as some animals rescued by ARCAS. The zoo is a 10-minute boat ride from Flores (inquire behind Hotel Santana).
El Mirador de Kan Ek
Large overgrown Maya ruin a stone's throw from Flores, on the San Miguel peninsula just across the lake about 250 m distant. Easiest way to get there is by boat. Haggle with the lancheros, who will want to take you on a full (more expensive) tour of various sights. If archaeology is your thing, insist on only seeing the Tayasal ruins, and that the lanchero guide you to the major pyramids (all overgrown) - otherwise you might miss them on the forest trails. The first pyramid, known as the Mirador ("viewpoint"), is a 5-minute walk from the lakeshore, with concrete steps up the side to reach the top, where a wooden tower has been built to give fantastic views across the lake. There is another large pyramid nearby, and the main plaza has a couple of badly damaged stelae, and a smaller pyramid.
The old colonial barracks were built immediately after the conquest of the native Itza in 1697; it is on the north side of the central plaza, and now serves as a tourist information centre, with a traditional handicraft shop.
The central park is a plaza on the highest point of the island. There are a number of Maya sculptures dotted around the central kiosk; these were brought from the Maya ruins of Ixlu, at the east end of the lake.
A small cinema with removable chairs and roll-down screen that shows all kind of movies (sometimes very good titles).
Canoes and bicycles are available in Flores.
Travel across Lake Peten Itza to visit the town of San Jose. It takes about 40 minutes while enjoying the beautiful aquatic scenery and bird life.
Take a swim in the warm waters of Lake Peten Itza and refresh yourself on a hot day. There are two public piers on the west side of the island that are designated specifically for swimming (no boats allowed).
There are many travel agencies in Flores that can book a shuttle, with (Q100) or without (Q80 return ticket) guide for you. Entrance for Tikal (Q150 regular, Q250 for sunrise) is typically charged separately in Tikal. If you book through Los Amigos be aware that you have to share your guide with about 20 more people. Busses leave Flores at 03:00, 04:30, 6:00, 08:00, 10:00 and 12:00, and return 11:00, 12:30, 13:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 18:45. It takes about 1.5 hr to get there. There are vendors for food and drinks at the site. It can get really hot from 10:00 so make sure to go there early.
Ixpanpajul is a natural park that is a 15-minute ride away from the island of Flores in Petén. The organisation of Ixpanpajul has a pick-up service from Flores or Santa Elena that takes you quickly to the park, to experience the great activities in the great wild forests typical of Guatemala. The activities to be experienced are swinging through the forests on a Zip-Line, taking a walk on the Sky-Way and going horseback riding. Larger groups are given discount rates.
Hike to the ruins of El Mirador near the Mexican border. This ancient Maya city was once home to hundreds of thousands of people and has the highest pyramid of all Mayan cities of about 70 m. The site is covered by vegetation and excavation is still going on. Prepare for a 17km hike to the ruins of Tintal on day one, 23km to El Mirador on day two, one day at the site and then all the way back through dense jungle. A tour can be organized in Flores. There is also a 6-day tour that takes an alternate return route to include the ruins of Nakbe and Florida. A minimum of 2 people is necessary and therefore there is often only one tour per week during low season (if the weather allows). Prices range from Q1300-1600 depending on the length of the tour and the season and include transport to Carmelita, food, water, tents for camping, mules to carry your stuff, 2 guides and a cook. Bring good shoes, a headlight, mosquito repellent, flipflops, and some extra cash for bucket showers and tips. No cell phone coverage at all, no electricity. Not all of the guides speak English.
This is a great place for breakfast and lunch. It is run by Cristina, a Chilean known for her support of local wildlife and her organic, safe food. Try the panone with homemade bread and choice of chicken, ham, cheese, steak or vegetarian fare. The chicken in cream sauce and the Pasta "Survivor" make this every rich local's favorite restaurant. The restaurant also serves a variety of licuados (fruit smoothies) of which you should definitely have the strawberry (with water instead of milk). She also offers wild honey harvested from the Tikal jungle and natural "chicle" chewing gum, harvested by Mayan farmers still today. This is a pleasant place to relax with a drink in the evening - in addition to the usual selection of cocktails, licuado with rum is also available. Films are shown at 16:00 and 17:00, and there are also live music sessions.
Gets great reports for its coffee, baked goods (including brown bread) and filling breakfasts. Open daily at 06:00, breakfast for around Q15.
Crepes, pizza, puyaso.
A typical breakfast and lunch restaurant. Try Camarrone, a local drink with salt and lime or Licuada Maya, a smoothie-like sweet drink made of pineapple and some greens.
Located on the square, it serves good, inexpensive food.
Good food for a good price. Guatemalan and international food, fish of the lake, pizza & pastas, Nice place to sit outside and watch the sunset. Has room for big groups. Special menu for groups. Q45 for chicken burritos. Happy Hour from 16:00 to 18:00. Ice creams with lake view
A lake side restaurant near the municipal dock.
Cool Beans is a great little cafe in Flores. They have good coffee and great frozen drinks as well.
A hostel three minutes by boat from Flores. Beautiful sunsets over the water.
Small relaxed hostel with a 6 bed dorm. The roof top terrace features some hammocks and benches surrounded by a lot of flowers. It has a roof so you can even enjoy a rainy day there. The hostel opened in Sep 2019 therefore, the mattresses are new. All beds have a locker and a small fan. Breakfast included (from 07:00), two clean bathrooms, a kitchen and a fridge, no bar, laundry service and a place to hand wash laundry by yourself. The owner Erick is very warm and welcoming. He helps you organizing tours and transport and knows the addresses in town where to eat out cheaply.
Spacious rooms with TV, fan, noisy AC and refrigerator - great view of lake.
Restaurant, pool, A/C.
In the center of Flores and popular with travelers. Includes a restaurant, cheap Happy Hour, internet access and a book exchange. Skip the boxed lunch for Tikal, unless you like soggy white bread and processed cheese. Using the door to get in can be tricky. Just ring the door bell and out of nowhere you will hear this bird chime. This is their 'door bell'. Someone will soon open the door for you by pulling a rope from the ceiling. If you want to get out, find the tweety bird hanging from a rope in the lobby and pull it, that should open it. Don't use their travel services (especially for shuttles) or trust their travel information on the website. Will sell you first-class seats on Linea Dorado and put you in second-class seats on a lesser bus line.
30 clean rooms with hot water and fan - some also have views of Peten Itza lake. There is a travel agency across the street that arrange local trips and tours. They have an internet cafe in the lobby, and laundry machines, both can be paid for at the front desk.
Comfortable rooms, some with a nice view to the west over the lake, TV and a jug of filtered water.
Request room with balcony and view of the lake.
A quiet place by Laguna Petenchel with a pool, restaurant, and kayak and bike rentals. There are crocodiles in the laguna, so bathing is safest in the pool. There are various paths in the area, from a 10-minute stroll on the premises to one hour around the laguna. This hotel is a little expensive, but worth the extra cost.
Small hotel near the airport with A/C, TV, private bathrooms, internet, and a view of the lake.
Expensive (and not worth the price).
Exhibits an assortment of jewellery and numerous copies from masks, which were found in tombs of kings or other important Mayan personalities. Jade had an incomparable value for the Mayans and symbolized eternal life. Important personalities were buried with a great amount of jewellery made of jade in order to guarantee them a privileged treatment in the new world. The shop is worth a visit to see the masks and jade pyramides.
The locally produced, ecological Salsa de Chile Habanero (Guatemaya brand) is really good. You can buy it at ECAO, Calle de 15 Septiembre, +502 7926-0628, or try it at Las Puertas restaurant (you have to ask for it). Maya Ik is also an excellent salsa.
The road to Tikal between Ixlú and El Remate is the best place to find finely crafted woodwork, the typical souvenir of Petén.
Although more expensive than in other parts of the country, Flores offers a good selection. Bargain hard though as prices are hiked for Gringos.
By bus
5 km south of the causeway to Isla Flores. From here you can take a tuk-tuk to the island for Q15 per person (as of 2026).
Walking is the most common way to get around, and circling the whole island takes about 15 minutes. It is an easy walk to Santa Elena and San Benito from Flores, about 10 minutes along the sidewalks of the causeway.
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