Flores island
Atmosphere, sunsetsThe island town.
Town guide
Things to do in Flores
A small island town of colourful houses on Lake Petén Itzá, and the base for Tikal, the great Maya city in the jungle, with howler monkeys at dawn, plus Yaxhá, lake swims and sunsets from the waterfront.
18
Hostels in the city
9.1
Average, from 4,363 reviews
1 hour
To Tikal
3
Days
The gateway to Tikal
Flores is a tiny island town on Lake Petén Itzá in the Petén, the jungle region of northern Guatemala, joined to the mainland town of Santa Elena by a causeway. It was the last independent Maya kingdom to fall to the Spanish, in 1697, and today its cobbled lanes of painted houses circle a hill topped by a white church.
Most visitors come for Tikal, about an hour north, one of the largest and most impressive Maya cities, with temples rising above the rainforest canopy in a national park full of spider and howler monkeys, toucans and coatis. Tikal was a UNESCO World Heritage Site as early as 1979.
Flores is also the base for Yaxhá, a quieter Maya site on a lake, and for the multi-day trek to El Mirador. The island itself is a relaxed place to swim off the jetties and watch the sunset. Give it three days.
Where to base yourself
The island for atmosphere and sunsets, Santa Elena for buses and the airport, or El Remate, near Tikal, for jungle lodges.
Santa Elena
Buses, marketThe mainland town.
El Remate
LodgesOn the lake, closer to Tikal.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 9 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Flores
Visit Tikal at opening, or on a sunrise tour, and climb Temple IV for the view of temples breaking through the canopy. Listen for howler monkeys and look for toucans and spider monkeys along the trails.
Take a sunset tour to Yaxhá, a large Maya site on a lake, much quieter than Tikal. Swim from the jetties in Flores, kayak on the lake, or take a boat across to the Mirador del Rey Canek lookout near San Miguel.
For the adventurous, El Mirador, a vast early Maya city, is reached on a five-day jungle trek or by helicopter.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Walking around the island, swimming from the public jetties and watching the sunset cost nothing.
The church and the hilltop park in the centre are free.
Tikal, Yaxhá and boat trips charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Comedores and the market in Santa Elena serve set lunches for €3 to €5. Street stalls on the island waterfront sell tacos, tostadas and grilled meat in the evening.
Try fish from the lake and pan de coco.
A 10 per cent tip is customary in restaurants, and is sometimes already added to the bill.
Nightlife
Going out
Flores has a few lakeside bars, busy at sunset and with travellers in the evening, and rooftop terraces with lake views.
Most people are up early for Tikal.
Gallo costs €1.50 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around
Mundo Maya International Airport, with flights from Guatemala City, is a few minutes away by tuk-tuk. Buses and shuttles from Guatemala City take eight to ten hours, and shuttles also run to Belize and Semuc Champey.
Shuttles to Tikal take about an hour and a quarter.
Tuk-tuks link the island with Santa Elena.
Costs
What Flores costs
Dorm beds start at around €8 to €14 a night. Comedor lunches cost €3 to €5.
Tikal entry costs about €17 for foreign visitors, with extra for sunrise access, and return shuttles about €10 to €15. Guides cost extra and are worth it.
Carry cash; there are cash machines in Santa Elena.
Safety
Safety and scams
Flores is relaxed and safe for travellers. Buy Tikal tickets through official channels, and use registered guides.
In Tikal, bring water, insect repellent and sun protection, and stay on the trails.
Treks to El Mirador must be done with a licensed guide. Do not drink the tap water; bottled and purified water is cheap everywhere. In an emergency, call 110 for the police, or 1500 for PROATUR, the tourist assistance line.
Worth the trip
Maya cities in the jungle.
Tikal
The great Maya city.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The dry season and holidays.
Around 21 March
Spring equinox
Tikal
Ceremonies at the temples.
March or April
Semana Santa
Flores
Processions and busy beaches.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Flores, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Maya Pan Hostal y Restaurante
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
Saraguate eco hostel
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
Gucumatz Lakeside Inn
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
Ahau Tikal
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Hostal Don Cenobio
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Hostal Macarena
Dorms from €16 a night
See dates and book
Hotel Peten Express Tikal
Dorms from €16 a night
See dates and book
Los Amigos Hostel
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
La Terraza Hostel
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
When to go
December to April is the dry season, hot by April. May to November brings rain and humidity. The Petén is hot all year.
Jan
Dry
Feb
Dry
Mar
Hot
Apr
Hottest, Semana Santa
May
Rains begin
Jun
Rain
Jul
Holidays
Aug
Rain
Sep
Wettest
Oct
Wet
Nov
Drier
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Hot and humid.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Flores prices.
Treat these as a guide. Ruins entry and tours cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Flores questions
The ones we get asked most.
How far is Tikal from Flores?
About an hour and a quarter by shuttle.
How much is Tikal entry?
About €17 for foreign visitors, with extra for sunrise access.
Is the Tikal sunrise tour worth it?
The jungle at dawn is magical, but the sunrise is often misty; opening time works well too.
Should I see Yaxhá as well?
Yes, it is quieter than Tikal and lovely at sunset.
How do I get to Flores?
By flight from Guatemala City, or by bus or shuttle.
Can I swim in the lake?
Yes, from the jetties on the island.
How many days do I need?
Two or three.
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