• Understand
• Get around
• See
• Do
• Learn Spanish
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Get out

The city of Flores on Lago Petén Itzá

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

A map of Flores

[edit] By plane

Mundo Maya International Airport (Template:IATA) 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] See

Ak'tun Kan: The face of the Lacandón

• <see name="Ak'tun Kan" directions="La Cueva de la Serpiente, the cave of the serpent" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="Q15 (including guide)" url="">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.</see>

• <see name="ARCAS (Asociaciòn de Rescate y Conservaciòn de Vida Silvestre)" address="" phone="+502 926 0946" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.arcasguatemala.com">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.</see>

• <see name="Petencito Zoo" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">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).</see>

[edit] Do

• <see name="Volunteer Peten" address="San Andres (on the other side of the lake from Flores)" phone="(502)5711-0040" url="http://www.volunteerpeten.com">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.</see>

• <see name="Cinema" address="Calle Central" directions="near Las Puertas restaurant" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">A small cinema with removable chairs and roll-down screen that shows all kind of movies (sometimes very good titles).</see>

• <see name="Canopy Tour" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">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.</see>

• <see name="Survivor Guatemala Tours" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">Survivor Guatemala was filmed on nearby Lake Yaxha. Hotels and travel agents based in El Remate (30km from Yaxha) can arrange tours.</see>

• <see name="Rent"> canoes and bicycles in Flores.</see>

• <see name="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.</see>

• <see name="Swimming"> Every day you can take a swim in the warm waters of lake Peten Itza and refresh yourself on a hot day.‎</see>

• <see name="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).‎</see>

[edit] Learn Spanish

Spanish Academy "Dos Mundos"

• <see name="Spanish Academy Dos Mundos" address="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. </see>

[edit] 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] 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

Las Puertas

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

[edit] Drink

• <drink name="Las Raices" address="" phone="" hours="Su-Th ??-??, F-Sa ?-1AM" price="" url="">A lake side restaurant near the municipal dock. The top floor operates as a club in the evening. Admission fees variable.</drink>

• <drink name="Viva Zapata" address="" directions="across the causeway in Santa Elena" phone="" hours="Su-Th ??-??, F-Sa ?-1AM" price="Free" url="">Has a dance floor.</drink>

• <drink name="Cool Vibes" address="" directions="down the street from Viva Zapata" phone="" hours="Su-Th ??-??, F-Sa ?-1AM" price="" url="">Has a dance floor and a good selection of music.</drink>

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Santa Elena

[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.

[edit] San José

[edit] San Andrés

[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, [1]. 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

• <listing name="The Mayan Adventure Tours & Expedition" alt="" address="Avenida 15 de Spetiembre" directions="info@the-mayan-adventure.com" phone="" url="http://www.the-mayan-adventure.com/" hours="" price="" lat="" long=""> 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.</listing>

• <listing name="Turismo Aventura" address="Santa Elena, Flores, Peten" phone="+502 7926-0398, 5510-2965" email="info@toursguatemala.com" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.toursguatemala.com">Tours to Tikal, Aguateca, Ceibal Mirador, and Tours Guatemala.</listing>

• <listing name="Martsam travel" address="Calle Centro América" phone="+502 7926-3225/0346/0247" email="martsam@itelgua.com" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">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.</listing>

• <listing name="Conservation Tours Tikal" address="Calle 15 de Septiembre" directions="inside Hotel Mirador del Lago" phone="+502 7926-0670, 5592-9509" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.conservationtours.com">Sustainable tourism in the communities surrounding Tikal National Park. Wildlife, horseback, kayaking, ruins (Tikal, Uaxactun, El Zotz), community visits and more.</listing>

• <listing name="Tikal Tours" address="" phone="+502 7926-4796/5691-0268" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></listing>

• <listing name="Servitours Lago Azul" address="Callejón San Luis Sur" phone="+502 7926-3573/514-10" email="servitours2000@yahoo.com" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></listing>

• <listing name="Private planes" address="" phone="+502 7926-0929, 5818-8777, 5616-6450" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">For flying over Tikal and the other interesting sites in Petén.</listing>

[edit] Get out

Map of sites around Flores

• 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.

From the top of the temple of East Acropolis of Yaxha you get a beautiful view of Lago de Yaxhá and surroundings

• 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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