flores, gt
Flores is a really interesting and unique place. Flores itself is a small little island that sits inside of a lake in far northeastern Guatemala. It's a freshwater island — in other words, which for me, was a first. Well, technically the town of Flores extends beyond the island in the middle of the lake to include the part of the town that sits on the mainland. But from a tourism perspective, the Flores that you will be familiar with is the one that is the island in the middle of Lake Petén Itzá. Flores is a popular stop along the traveling and backpacking trail of Guatemala. It's popularity in part stems from its proximity to the magnificent ruins at Tikal. Most everyone who comes through Guatemala to see the ruins is going to find their accommodation here. But outside of that, the town itself is something that is 100% worth seeing in the country. The small island is unique as I already mentioned — being a freshwater island in a lake. But the small island is also interesting because of the small cobblestone streets lined with colorful buildings, restaurants, bars and hostels. There are lots of things that you can do on the lake, like go paddleboarding, go out on boats, etc., etc. In addition to that, just walking around the town is really great. Especially around sunset when everyone in town seems to congregate around the water to watch as the colors of the lake and surrounding jungle change. Flores however is quite a trek from anywhere else that you are going to be in Guatemala. If you aren't coming up here to see the ruins, or aren't making your way down the country by bus or car, it will likely be too far out of the way to come visit just on its own. It is — for example, 10 hours at least away from Antigua, the closest traveler city really in Guatemala. But if you have the time, and are in the area, Flores is a beautiful and worthy place to visit here in Guate. A few days will do you just fine. You can explore most everything the island has to offer and the surrounding wonders within that time.
Flores is located in far northeastern Guatemala. It's about 2 hours from the border of Belize, if you are traveling by car are shuttle. It's not a hard place to get to per say, but it certainly is inconvenient. Especially if you are coming from anywhere else in Guatemala. For no other reason than it is seriously far from the other population centers. Below are some tips if you are coming here by car or by shuttle. You can also technically fly here. There is an international airport called Mundo Maya International Airport, with the code of FRS. If you are coming here just to see Flores, or just to see the ruins at Tikal, the most efficient way to get in would be through this airport.
BY SHUTTLE -
- FROM BELIZE - There will be shuttles, daily, that can take you from San Ignacio Belize to Flores. You can book your shuttle here. The ride should take about 4 hours including the border crossing, and costs $26 USD. You can book here.
- FROM ANTIGUA - From Antigua there is a shuttle that will take you to Flores. The shuttle will pick you up from your hostel at 4:00am, and you will arrive in Flores in the afternoon at around 5pm. It's going to be a long day. Most people make the stop in Semuc Champey on the way up. But it's up to you if you want to do that.
BY CAR - This is similar to getting to either Semuc Champey, or to Tikal. The road will be the same. Just make sure you AVOID HIGHWAY 5. — Cannot stress this enough. The drive from San Ignacio will take you about 3 hours with the border crossing, and if you are coming from Semuc (7 hours), Rio Dulce (4 hours), or Antigua (10.5 hours through Rio Dulce) the travel times will all vary.
HOSTELS, CAMPING, AND HOTELS (IF ANY)
There's a pretty good hostel scene here in Flores. It's so common for backpackers to come through here that the hostel culture is good. There's a few that are popular here that I will get into. One that most people stay in is called 'Los Amigos', but there are a few other ones as well.
The housing is actually kind of expensive here in Flores — like $20 a night for a dorm bed on average.
Very simply the most popular place to stay in Flores. Typically when people are up here they stay here in Flores, at 'Zephyr' in Semuc, and 'Tropicana' in Antigua. You're going to see the exact same people in all 3 hostels if you are traveling in this direction. But that's fun. Anyways 'Los Amigo's is a great hostel. With a really nice restaurant and bar, and inside is kind of like a 'contained jungle' and there's animals (I guess wild but more kind of like pets?) walking around. — Like turtles and stuff. It's a cool spot. Cool people.
Another excellent option here is Hotel Peten Express. You can see how connected Flores is with Tikal given one of the most popular hostels doesn't even have Flores in the name, but Tikal. This one is really nice because it is right on the water, unlike Los Amigos which is insulated in town. A great option as well.
EATS
This is the cheapest, smallest, and least social of all the hostels on the list. It's going to be pretty chill, — also the cheapest one. I would personally put this 3rd on the list, but if you want to have a quiet and more chill experience, this could be good for you.
Flores is a really small little island. The food options are pretty limited, and just okay. This is certainly not a place that you come to in search of good food or for their food.
I didn't do much eating through this town, but a few places that I went to are below.
Restaurants
Nice little spot on the water to grab some breakfast.
A nice little cafe that's on the water and has a nice little outdoor patio. Good spot for cheap breakfasts or lunches.
Probably the coolest restaurant in Flores. Right on the water and feels like you are in the jungle. They have great dinner, but it wont be the cheapest thing you've ever had.
NIGHTLIFE
The only thing really you are going to find from a nightlife perspective here is the nightlife that is going on in the hostels. Specifically the nightlife in Los Amigos. Nothing is going to be all that crazy here though.
SIGHTS
Well... the sights. That's really why anyone is in Flores in the first place, and people come from all over the world.
There's certainly plenty of things to see and do in the actual town of Flores, but as I have mentioned the real reason that people come here typically is to go and see the ruins of Tikal.
The reason most people are here. Only a short few hours away. There is an entire page on Tikal. It is linked.
ENJOY AND HANG OUT ON THE LAKE
Enjoy and hang out on the lake. The lake is really pretty, and there's plenty of places and docks that you can hang out on and enjoy the view.
There's a cool little rope swing run by a guy named 'Jorge' over at the north end of the lake. You can go swing off the platform into the water, and he even has a little bar going there where you can get some drinks. You need to take a little boat over there, which he charges around 30Q to do. Something fun to do. You can also kayak over there.
RENT KAYAKS
A good activity for the day — should you choose to, is to grab some kayaks and go for a paddle around the lake. Most of the hostels will have kayaks that you can use for free.
There's a little museum on its own tiny island with cool Mayan artifacts. Something to do during the day here, especially nice if you like museums. Also you are up here in Mayan country, so doesn't hurt to sneak in some more Mayan culture-related stuff. Cool little ride to this tiny island with a tiny museum, too.
SURFING
Nothin' here in the jungle.