From Wikitravel

Flores is a city in Petén, Guatemala. It is located on an island in the lake Lago Petén Itzá, connected to land by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway lie the twin cities Santa Elena and San Benito.

[edit] Understand

For many, the main reason to visit Flores is its proximity to Tikal, the most famous Mayan ruins in Guatemala, or it is used as a starting point for trips around Petén. But the city itself is a wonder -- dense with colonial, red-roofed buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, a historic church and contiguous Spanish plaza, and restaurants that are easy to stumble upon walking the city's charming streets. There is much history to learn about the Spanish takeover of what they turned into Flores. Travelers will find that this island city is more than just a take-off point, but a memorable attraction itself.

Flores is a quiet and peaceful place, and probably one of the safest places in the sometimes wild north. Nearby Santa Elena and San Benito require a little more caution, but offer a more authentic experience of a Guatemalan town, complete with crazy traffic, litter and street food. The whole conglomerate of Flores, Santa Elena and San Benito is often referred to as Flores or Area Central.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Mundo Maya International Airport (IATA: FRS) is just outside Flores and is the only other international airport in the country aside from Guatemala City. TAG and TACA Airlines both run daily flights from Guatemala City, but are often delayed in both directions. Tikal Jets no longer flies this route.

Tropic Air and Maya Island Air fly to and from Belize City.

Mexicana and TACA fly from Cancun.

Continental Airlines flies once weekly between Flores and Houston, TX on a Saturday, though service is currently suspended.

A taxi from the airport to Flores costs Q20 (or Q10 per person, whichever is larger). It is about two kilometers from the airport to the Flores causeway.

Shuttles to Tikal meet every fligh

[edit] By bus

Buses from Guatemala City and Belize City as well as various other destinations all over the country stop in the Fuente del Norte bus station in Santa Elena, a five minute auto-rickshaw ride from Flores.

The road from Coban is very scenic and a smooth (though windy for about an hour out of Coban) and paved ride all the way. If you take a public minibus from Coban(Q50 total to Flores) you will have to change to another minibus once or twice along the way, and the wait in minimal since the other minibuses are awaiting your arrival. In Sayaxché you will take a free ferry ride across the river before continuing on in a new minibus. There are also tour companies offering direct door-to-door service from Flores to Cobán for around Q100.

Bear in mind that although many buses will announce they are going to Flores very few will actually go to the island itself, instead stopping in Santa Elena, which can be a little confusing. A taxi from the bus terminal across the lake to the island of Flores is Q10 - Q15.

Linea Dorada runs older luxury class buses from its Flores and Santa Elena offices. Get your tickets from the official office, as the touts will sell you crappy seats in the back row for double the money and leave you wondering why all the other passengers get drinks and food...

Autobuses del Norte has new buses and advertises its buses of "First Class Plus" with a price half of what Linea Dorada advertises. http://www.adnautobusesdelnorte.com/eng/quienes.htm

[edit] Get around

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. Otherwise, auto-rickshaws, vans and buses are an option. The standard fee for an auto-rickshaw in the Flores/Santa Elena/San Benito area is Q5, but if you have a lot of luggage or squeeze in three people, the fare will likely rise.

The towns of San José and San Andrés, located on the northern shores of the lake, can be reached by hiring an expensive boat. The once-regular passenger boat service has been reduced following the improvement of the road - it's now easier to take the regular van or bus service there from the Santa Elena market, which costs Q7 and takes around 30 minutes. These buses leave when they are full, and will be packed to capacity and often beyond! A chicken bus goes once an hour; these are more comfortable and slightly cheaper at Q6, but take longer.

Boats are moored behind Hotel Santana, and run to Petencito Zoo and are available for lake tours. NB: Prices are not fixed, and haggling with the boatmen is necessary to secure a reasonable price.

[edit][add listing] See

• Ak'tun Kan (La Cueva de la Serpiente, the cave of the serpent). Take the main road through Santa Elena, turn left at the end of the road and follow signs. It is clearly marked. From the causeway in Flores, it is a 30 minute walk, or taxis are available for Q20. 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. Q15 (including guide).  edit

• ARCAS (Asociaciòn de Rescate y Conservaciòn de Vida Silvestre), ☎ +502 926 0946, [1]. 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 8AM and 3PM. Alternatively, take a boat to the Petencito Zoo, which is located near by. edit

• Petencito Zoo. 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). edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Volunteer Peten, San Andres (on the other side of the lake from Flores), ☎ (502)5711-0040, [2]. An excellent volunteering organization with opportunities to work at an ecological park, building schools, or doing other community projects and education. An unforgettable way to experience the Peten. edit

• Cinema, Calle Central (near Las Puertas restaurant). A small cinema with removable chairs and roll-down screen that shows all kind of movies (sometimes very good titles). edit

• Canopy Tour. Outside of Flores there are several places that offer adventure rides, such as hanging from a harness and sliding down wires attached between trees. One such place is located outside Tikal main gate, and is a canopy tour only; another place is El Parque Natural Ixpanpajul - a 5 minutes drive from Flores (US$5 by taxi), which has a canopy tour, a walking loop with suspension bridges and, in addition, offers horse riding and camping facilities. edit

• Survivor Guatemala Tours. Survivor Guatemala was filmed on nearby Lake Yaxha. Hotels and travel agents based in El Remate (30km from Yaxha) can arrange tours. edit

• Rent. canoes and bicycles in Flores. edit

• Hire a small covered boat. in Flores and 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. edit

• Swimming. Every day you can take a swim in the warm waters of lake Peten Itza and refresh yourself on a hot day.‎ edit

• Culture. Take a glance at the dyed white church of Flores which rises like a crown on the bank of the ‎centre. Visit the „Centro de Informaciones sobre la Naturaleza, Cultura y Artesanías de Petén (CIN-‎CAP) next door, an interesting museum and centre of information in the ancient “Castillo de ‎Arismendi“ (Castle of Arismendi).‎ edit

[edit] Learn Spanish

• Spanish Academy Dos Mundos, Calle Fraternidad. The first Spanish Academy was opened up on the small, charming and peaceful island Flores in January ‎‎2008. ‎Experience two different worlds - Be charmed by the Spanish language and learn more about ‎the incredible world of the Mayans! One-on-one or group classes with competent local ‎teachers, stays with a Guatemalan host family in order to practise Spanish immediately, ‎entertaining activities after school with other students, opportunities to do volunteer work.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Jades Yaxha, La Casa del Jade exhibits a well selected 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.‎

• Chile salsa. The locally produced, ecological Salsa de Chile Habanero (Guatemaya brand) is really good. You can buy it at ECAO, Calle de 15 Septiembre, tel: +502 7926-0628, or try it at Las Puertas restaurant (you have to ask for it). Maya Ik is also an excellent salsa.

• Woodwork. The road to Tikal between Ixlú and El Remate is the best place to find finely crafted woodwork, the typical souvenir of Petén.

• Textiles. Although more expensive than in other parts of the country, Flores offers a good selection. Be sure to bargain hard though as prices are hiked for Gringos!

You can also get souvenirs in the shops in Flores, but the prices and selection are better elsewhere in the country, so only worth checking out if this is your only stop in Guatemala.

An ATM at the airport allows cash withdraws from Visa cards. Another ATM across the street from the airport supports Mastercard as well as Maestro cards. Cross the street towards the Maxi Bodega supermarket and enter the mall left of the supermarket entrance. The ATM is a few meters down on the right side.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Wild animals are a common item on the menus in Petén. However, many of these species are killed illegally, so consuming them is detrimental to to the local ecology.

• Cafe Arqueológico Yax-ha, Avenida de 15 Septiembre‎, [3]. Enjoy the variety of delicios Guatemalan, international and Pre- Hispanic dishes. After having placed your order, you can have a look at our library with lots of books about the ‎Mayan culture. Additionally, we hint at the photo exhibition of new and ancient pictures of ‎various archaeological sites edit

• La Luna, Calle 30 de Junio. In the high season (especially Easter and Christmas) it is advisable to reserve a table in advance. Try pimientos rellenos (stuffed peppers), suprema de pollo (chicken), puyaso (steak) en salsa de crema y pimienta negra, or the vegetarian calebacitas (stuffed pumpkins). For dessert, vanilla ice-cream with moras calientes (a relative of the raspberry) is highly recommended. Main dishes Q40-90.  edit

• Las Puertas, corner of Avenida Santa Ana and Calle Central. This is a great place for breakfast and lunch. Try the panone with homemade bread and choice of chicken, ham, cheese, sausage or vegetarian fare. The restaurant also serves a variety of licuados (fruit smoothies), and chewing gum made according to traditional Maya recipe. 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 4PM and 7PM and there are also live music sessions. It is highly recommended. edit

• Cool Beans / El Cafe Chilero, near the causeway by the Flores bus stop. Gets great reports for its coffee, baked goods (including brown bread) and filling breakfasts. Open daily at 6AM, breakfast for around Q15. edit

• Mayan Princess, Avenida Reforma. 12PM-10:30PM. Shows films at 4PM and 8PM. Main dishes Q40, drinks Q10-20.  edit

• El Tucán, Calle Centro América. This restaurant is named after a tame toucan that lived on the premises and that had a habit of stealing the guests vegetables, although the place lost some of its charm when the toucan flew away in the spring of 2004. The restaurant serves Mexican food and illegally hunted wild game. edit

• El Zotz, Calle 15 de Septiembre. A typical breakfast and lunch restaurant. edit

• Flores Pizza, San Jose-across Lake Peten Itza. The friendly owner cooks your pizza in a outdoor wood fired smoker/oven, for an outrageously delicious flavor. edit

• La Albahaca, Calle 30 de Junio. Serves salads, pasta and shrimp. edit

• Las Orquideas, El Remate (on the lake front road about 1km past La Casa de Don David). Top-quality, home-style Italian food served in a quiet palapa-hut. edit

• Restaurant Mirador del Lago. Located on the square, it serves good, inexpensive food. edit

There's a supermarket on Calle 30 de Junio opposite Hotel Petén that is open 24hrs, and a grocery store opposite La Luna.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Las Raices. Su-Th ??-??, F-Sa ?-1AM. A lake side restaurant near the municipal dock. The top floor operates as a club in the evening. Admission fees variable. edit

• Viva Zapata (across the causeway in Santa Elena). Su-Th ??-??, F-Sa ?-1AM. Has a dance floor. Free.  edit

• Cool Vibes (down the street from Viva Zapata). Su-Th ??-??, F-Sa ?-1AM. Has a dance floor and a good selection of music. edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Los Amigos, Calle Central, ☎ +502 5716-7702 (fax: +502 5584-8725), [4]. An excellent hostel in the center of Flores that's very popular with travelers. European owned and run with a laid back atmosphere, 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. Q25 ($3) for a dorm bed, Q15 ($2) for a hammock.  edit

• Casazul, Calle Fraternidad, ☎ +502 7926-1138/7926-3360 (reservaciones@corpetur.com), [5]. Spacious rooms with TV, fan, noisy AC and refrigerator - great view of lake. $41/48/60 for single/double/triple room in high season.  edit

• Hotel la Casona de la Isla, Calle 30 de Junio, ☎ +502 7926-0593 (reservaciones@corpetur.com), [6]. Restaurant, pool, A/C. $36/43/53 for single/double/triple room.  edit

• Hotel Isla de Flores, Avenida Reforma, ☎ +502 7926-0614/17/18, 7476-8775 (reservaciones@junglelodge.guate.com), [7]. $36/41/46 for single/double/triple room.  edit

• Hotel Mirador del Lago, Calle 15 de Septembre, ☎ +502 7926-3276. 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. Recommended. Dorm 25Q Double room $10, with a lake view $13.  edit

• Hotel Petén, Calle 30 de Junio, ☎ +502 7926-0692 (reservaciones@corpetur.com), [8]. Comfortable rooms, some with a nice view to the west over the lake, TV and a jug of filtered water. $35/43/52 for single/double/triple room.  edit

• Hotel Santana, Calle 30 de Junio, ☎ +502 7926-0662/0491/0492, [9]. Request room with balcony and view of the lake. $31/40/55 for single/double/triple room.  edit

• Hospedaje Doña Goya, Calle la Union, ☎ +502 7926-3538. Q100/80 for a double with private/shared bath, Q25 for a bed in the dormitory.  edit

• Hospedaje Doña Goya II. Next door to Doña Goya, but a little roomier, with a friendly atmosphere and good breakfasts. Roof top hammocks with a nice view of the lake are available. edit

• Hotel Villa Maya, 10 km outside of Flores, on the way to Tikal. 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. edit

[edit] Santa Elena

• Petén Esplendido, very near the causeway to Flores. Expensive (and not worth the price). edit

[edit] El Remate

A small village located 30 km from Lago Petén Itzá with a nice, calm and rural atmosphere, and normally less crowded than other places in the area. All minibuses from St. Elena to Tikal ($1) stop here. However, some large buses ($0.30) only stop at a crossing 7 km from El Remate, so ask first. Taxis are available for $20 from the airport/Flores.

• Sak Luk Eco-Lodge, Directly in El Remate, on the road to Tikal (Look for the ranch with a giant maya mask (see link) on the main road), ☎ +502 50483982 or +502 54955925 (tikalsakluk@hotmail.com), [10]. This eco-lodge has the very best view in town! It's located on top of a hill that dominates lake Petén-Itza and cerro Cahui, a crocodile-shaped mountain. It has an interestingly unique rustic architecture and a very relaxed and communal atmosphere, with travelers from all around the world. The restaurant serves yummy food and tasty smoothies. The place is owned and run by very friendly guatemalan sculptor and maya enthusiast (His stories about the Popol Vuh, the maya writings about the creation of men, are really worth listening to). edit

• La Casa de Don David, ☎ +502 7928-8469 or 5306-2190, [11]. The best rooms have a/c, hot water and are recently constructed. The property is clean, tidy and well maintained with very friendly staff, who can help with all kinds of activities and transportation. Free filtered water and internet. edit

• La Casa de Doña Tonita, 1.5 km from El Remate, on the road around Lago Petén Itzá. A peaceful and inexpensive family-run hostel with its own dock on the lake and a restaurant. Double rooms go for $3/person.  edit

• El Gringo Perdido, 3 km from El Remate, on the road around Lago Petén Itzá, ☎ +502 5334-2305.  edit

• Hotel Camino Real Tikal, 5 km from the road to Tikal (leave the main road at El Remate), ☎ +502 7926-0207. A luxury hotel in beautiful natural surroundings. It has a restaurant, but with an unimaginative menu. The Biotopo Cerro Cahuí is close by and worth a visit. Expensive. edit

[edit] San José

• Bahía Taitzá, Barrio El Porvenir,San José, Petén 17002, ☎ +502 7928-8125 (info@taitza.com, fax: 502 7821-0056), [12]. With a beach on Lake Petén Itzá, Regular and Family rooms, private bathrooms, hot/cold water, hi wood roofs and ceiling fan. Chill Out Lounge. You can ask for Mauricio. $25-35 per person.  edit

• Casa Américas Itzá, 4 km from San José, ☎ +502 5595-8251 (itza@casaamericas.com), [13]. Fronting Lake Petén Itzá, it has 6 spacious units with living room, bedroom, bathroom and patio. $20-30 per person.  edit

[edit] San Andrés

• Villa Benjamin, [14]. A small family run hotel perched above the lake offering spectacular views. Volunteering opportunities with 'Volunteer Peten' are available in the village. edit

[edit] Contact

[edit] Internet

• Tikal.net and Peten.net, Calle Centro America. 8AM-10PM. Both can transfer photos from digital cameras to CD and charge Q12/hour.

• Tayazal.net. 8AM-10PM. Q12/hour.

• La Casa de Don David, El Remate, tel: +502 7928-8469, [15]. No longer the only place for internet in El Remate, others exist on the main road. $0.10/min or $1 for 15 minutes.

[edit] Cope

[edit] Tour operators

• The Mayan Adventure Tours & Expedition, Avenida 15 de Spetiembre (info@the-mayan-adventure.com), [16]. They plan your journey to the jungle of Guatemala! Whether you want to go to Tikal, Yaxha ‎and La Blanca, Yaxha and Topoxte, they can arrange offer tours giving visitors comprehensive ‎background information about archaeological sites. edit

• Turismo Aventura, Santa Elena, Flores, Peten, ☎ +502 7926-0398, 5510-2965 (info@toursguatemala.com), [17]. Tours to Tikal, Aguateca, Ceibal Mirador, and Tours Guatemala. edit

• Martsam travel, Calle Centro América, ☎ +502 7926-3225/0346/0247 (martsam@itelgua.com). Daily tours to Yaxhá, $20 per person (2 person minimum). Also tours to Nakum, Tikal, Ceibal, El Mirador, El Zotz. "Jungle at night" tour every day at 7PM (3 hours $30/person) and jungle trek every day at 7AM, $40/person. edit

• Conservation Tours Tikal, Calle 15 de Septiembre (inside Hotel Mirador del Lago), ☎ +502 7926-0670, 5592-9509, [18]. Sustainable tourism in the communities surrounding Tikal National Park. Wildlife, horseback, kayaking, ruins (Tikal, Uaxactun, El Zotz), community visits and more. edit

• Tikal Tours, ☎ +502 7926-4796/5691-0268.  edit

• Servitours Lago Azul, Callejón San Luis Sur, ☎ +502 7926-3573/514-10 (servitours2000@yahoo.com).  edit

• Private planes, ☎ +502 7926-0929, 5818-8777, 5616-6450. For flying over Tikal and the other interesting sites in Petén. edit

[edit] Get out

• Tikal - this park is a major attraction in Guatemala, and is located 60 km from Flores. Open: 6AM-6PM (after 3PM arrivals gain free re-entry the following day). Admission: Q50. To avoid crowds and experience the rich wild-life at its best try to arrive around 6-7AM.

• Motul de San José - a small Mayan site just north of San José. Buses, minivans and hired boats operate to the site. The ruin has a few stelae with visible glyphs and a number of vegetation covered mounds.

• Ixlú is a small Mayan site near the Melchor de Mencos junction on the way to Tikal. It is only of interest to the die-hard fans of Mayan sites.

• El Peru, AKA Waká, AKA the formerly elusive Site Q, can be seen on a three day trip from Flores.

• Holtún is a small archaeological site 60 km from Flores on the way to Melchor de Mencos and the Belizean border. A broad, but unmarked path leads to the site. Locals can give directions. The site contains tree and vegetation covered temples. Painted masks adorn the inside of one of the temples, but this part is off limits to tourists (unless you can get a permit from the guard in charge). The part open to tourists also has masks, but these are not as impressive.

• El Mirador - Flores is the base for tours to the site of the largest Mayan temples, El Tigre and La Danta. This archaeological site deep in the rain forest near the Mexican border is of huge significance and can only be reached by foot and mule train - a five day round trip trek. Expect to pay $150-200 for the entire package including guide, food, mules and transport to Carmelita, the starting point. An extra day allows further travel along much of an ancient raised causeway to the ruins at Nakbé, which is around 3.5 hours away and 5 km closer to Carmelita. Any agency in Flores or Santa Elena can arrange tours to these places.

• Yaxhá is a archaeological site 73 km from Flores on the way to Melchor de Mencos and the Belizean border. 62 km from Flores, just after Holtún, turn off on to the dirt road to Yaxhá (11 kms). Admission is free, but you need to sign the guest book. The site is not as popular as Tikal, but is well worth the trip. In addition, you may find that you are the only visitor, which offers a very different kind of experience from that of wading through the crowds at Tikal. There is ongoing restoration work at the site.

As of February 2007, for foreigners there is an entrance fee. Q80 per person. This fee covers Yaxha, Naranjo, and one other site. The sites are very far apart and without a vehicle, impossible to do in one day.

• Topoxté is a small site on an island on the west shore of Lago de Yaxhá. It can be reached by lancha (boat), costing around Q100 for the 15 minute journey.

• Nakum is a site some 20 km north of Yaxhá. From here it is a one day walk to Tikal, but you will need a guide.

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