We love it when a destination exceeds all of our expectations, and that’s exactly what Flores, Guatemala did. This colorful, peaceful, and very picturesque town is perfect for both relaxation and adventure. Located in Peten, the northernmost department in Guatemala, Flores is also a great place for exploring some of the most famous Mayan sites in the world. So in this Flores travel guide, we’ll share with you the activities you can do, the best restaurants to try, and our best tips for getting the most out of your time in the beautiful Flores, Guatamala.
Flores Island is one of the most picturesque spots in Guatemala because located in the middle of a Peten lake. The colorful Spanish colonial-style buildings are vividly painted, and the street wind in a circular pattern all the way up to the main square on the hill. Not only is Flores gorgeous, it’s a great place to stay to explore the ancient Mayan ruins at Tikal and Yaxha.
So, in thing Flores travel guides, we’ll share with you all of our best tips of what to do and where to eat whenever you are in Flores Guatemala.
How to Get to Flores, Guatemala
There are several ways to get to Flores, Guatemala. You can take a car, bus or a plane. In my opinion, if your budget allows it taking a plane is better. A bus can take 10 hours from Guatemala City to Flores for about $50 USD. A car can travel the same distance in 8.5 hours and car rental can vary greatly. However, the plane can get you there in about 1 hour and the average cost is about $200 USD.
We traveled from San Ignacio, Belize to Flores on a private shuttle. As we exited Belize we paid an exit fee of $20 per person then we entered Guatemala.
We took a private bus shuttle from San Ignacio. We had to change buses and drivers at the border. Belizian bus drivers are not allowed to drive into Guatemala. When we arrived in Peten we stayed at Hotel Villa de Largo. They have several great hotels in the area but we wanted a fantastic lake view. Flores is a very beautiful and colorful city. I will share with you the 7 best things to do in Flores, Guatemala.
The Best Things to Do in Flores Guatemala
#1. Visit Tikal National Park
When you go to Flores the one sight you do not want to miss is Tikal. Tikal is a Mayan(Yax Mutal) ruin but long ago it was a significant Mayan city. Tikal is located in the Maya Forest. The entry fee is $24.50 USD per person. This region used to be Peten Basin and is now considered northern Guatemala. Tikal was most powerful during the classical period between 200 to 900 AD. Tikal was the capital of ancient Maya. I advise that you take a tour because you will learn a lot of the Mayan history as well as about their practices such as trade and sports. You can tour or hike alone but I think you will miss a lot of important information.
The Mayans had a sophisticated civilization that disappeared. There have been many theories of what happened here. Some say their disappearance was due to drought, famine, or natural disaster. The Mayans were believed to have spiritual beliefs that grew into human sacrifice as they became more and more desperate. It is believed that Tikal was conquered in the 4th century by Teotihuacan. By the end of the 10th century, Tikal was abandoned.
A few things you should know before you go to Tikal. The Park is 250 square miles. The temple towers are really spread out. There are many to see so expect to do some hiking to get to them. Some of the towers are 15 to 45 minutes apart. These complexes were like small towns. Also, there were spiritual rituals conducted in some of these locations. These structures would have been red long ago to symbolize blood. You will want to bring water. You will want to bring a bag for trash. No trash is allowed in the park so you will have to carry out the trash you bring in. There are no garbage cans in the park. You can bring food and snacks. There is a food stand and water stand but there is not a full restaurant. I would also recommend bringing a hat or an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun. Also you are in a jungle so bringing mosquito spray is a good idea.
#2. Walk Around Flores
You can stroll through the streets and alleys and enjoy the colorful building and cobblestone streets in Flores. You can also walk along …
#3 Try Our Favorite Restaurants in Flores
Maracuya was my personal favorite restaurant in Flores. The food was always very good and they have a butterfly reserve. You can walk inside and visit with them. We enjoyed all the restaurants listed below:
- Maracuya
- Tacos Los Peces
- Maple Tocines
- Nativo
#4. Rent a Boat or Kayak and Explore the Lake
#5. Visit El Mirador Del Rey Canek
In just a few minutes on a boat taxi across the lake, you will arrive. You will have a 15-minute hike that is not difficult at all. However, you will want to wear sports shoes for the walk. I would not recommend flip-flops. The path and the area are not paved. However, it is well worth it to go. You will climb a few flights of stairs and you will be able to enjoy the view.
#6. Take a Boat to Playa Chechenal Paten
By boat taxi, you can go to Playa Chenchenal Paten. This is a lovely beach where you can swim. The water is clear and inviting. There are several places to put your things. There are tables, benches, and straw huts for shade. Bring with you something to eat and enjoy during your stay. This is also another great place for photos. This is a relaxing place and you will enjoy it.
#7. Visit Yaxha Ruins
What is really unique about this structure is the Temple of the Masks. It had stairs on all four sides and holes that were possibly used to support a temple. The temple it held is called mascarones because it has 16 representations of humans and tigers, 4 on each side.
When you come to Yaxha be prepared to do a lot of climbing.
Yaxha is not as popular as Tikal but they are impressive to see. Yaxha, meaning Yax green, Xa water is a city that was settled near Yaxha lagoon and Sacnab. The Mayans built 1000 structures and 14 have been restored but be aware that almost every mound you will see is possibly a temple or structure that has yet to be unearthed and over time was reclaimed by this massive and beautiful jungle.
When you come to Flores, Guatemala be prepared to spend a full 3 to 4 days to see everything you can while you are there. We really hope you enjoy your experience as much as we enjoyed ours.
Restaurant to Try in Flores Guatemala
Flores really does have some high-quality and very delicious food to eat.
- Maracuya-This restaurant was our favorite. Not only did it have delicious food, they have a charming butterly sanctuary that is worth seeing in its own right. It was lovely watching the colorful butterflies flutter around the enclosure while we wanted on our food to arrive.
- Nativo-Is a delicious restaurant that specializes in traditional dishes like ceviche and aguachile.
- Taco Stand-if you enjoy affordable street food then you will love the taco stand in the middle of the main square.
Where to Stay in Flores Guatemala
We highly recommend staying on the island of Flores because here you will have easy access to travel agencies for booking tours, restaurants, and boats for going to the viewpoint and the beach.
You have both hotels and hostels to choose from. We stayed at the Hotel Villa del Lago and really enjoyed their lake view room. It was so peaceful and relaxing to wake up to the calm and shining waters of the lake every morning.
Our Final Thoughts about Flores Guatemala
We truly loved our stay in Flores, Guatemala. It’s the perfect mix of jungle adventure and lakeside relaxation and we can’t recommend it highly enough!
Now that you know about Flores, why not check out this nearby destination as well!
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