The Ultimate Traveler’s Guide to Flores, Petén, Guatemala
The beautiful Flores, Guatemala is a magical place full of color, culture, nature, and delicious food! It opens its doors to tourists every year, and you can become one of them, too!
Next, find a traveler’s guide to Flores, Guatemala, and discover everything about this amazing destination for your next trip!
Off we go!
What is Flores Island?
For starters, Guatemala is divided into 22 departments, and one of them is Petén. Petén’s capital is Flores, which makes this area one of the most visited ones in the department. In Flores, you’ll find what’s known as Flores island (Isla de Flores), a town surrounded by Lake Petén Itzá. However, although it’s known as an isla, it isn’t properly an island, it is a peninsula. It is linked to the mainland by an artificial isthmus (created by men) to communicate the town with the areas of
The Isla de Flores in Petén is one of the most colorful destinations in Guatemala. It’s mainly characterized by its terraces with an extraordinary view and its gourmet food restaurants. It is also known as a gateway to nearby Mayan ruins. In fact, since Flores has a great location in Petén, tourists opt for staying there and then go to the ruins in Tikal. It’s the perfect place to discover nature while taking time to connect with it, relax, and enjoy your time surrounded by a unique culture. Totally worth it!
Tips for visiting Flores, Guatemala
Now, check the following guide to have the best time at Flores, Guatemala!
Flores, Guatemala: Hotels
Looking where to stay in Flores? I provide you with five great options! Chem them out.
1. Hotel la casona de la isla
This is one of the most colorful hotels on Flores Island. This destination has a beautiful outdoor pool with an unobstructed view of nature. It is undoubtedly ideal to get out of the routine and forget about everything. It has parking, special packages, restaurants with a buffet, free wi-fi, outdoor pool, laundry service, and much more.
Prices: from 390.00 quetzales a night (around 50.00 US dollars)
Website: They don’t have a private website. However, you can book your stay via different online travel companies.
2. Hotel Isla de Flores
The style of the Hotel Isla de Flores is unique in the region. Its walls have picturesque and colorful designs, perfect for taking incredible pictures. Its rooms have a direct view of Lake Patén Itza and its terrace pool is great to watch the sunset while you relax. This hotel will make you live a unique experience!
Prices: from 850.00 quetzales a night (around 110.00 US dollars).
Website: Find them on Instagram and Facebook!
3. Hotel Petén Express
Hotel Petén Express has a beautiful pool with one of the best views of Lake Petén Itzá. This is a unique place to live a well-deserved, carefree vacation. They have a restaurant outside, where you can enjoy many services in the same place. With rooms to rest, observe the view and enjoy a well-deserved rest on the shores of the lake.
Prices: simple room – 47.00 US dollars a night. Double room – 55.00 US dollars a night.
Website: They don’t have a private website. However, you can still book your stay!
4. Hotel Casa Turquesa
Hotel Casa Turquesa will undoubtedly be one of your favorite places on Flores Island. They provide a perfect space to rest. Its facilities are colorful, with fresh colors and a beautiful terrace with an unobstructed view. You will find a restaurant, lounges, rooms, an outdoor pool and much more.
Prices: from 382.00 quetzales a night (around 49.00 US dollars).
Website: Find them in Hoteles de Petén!
5. Hotel Santana
You are going to love Hotel Santana! This place represents the picturesqueness of the island with an outdoor pool for you to enjoy the weather. It also has a refreshing outdoor pool. The balcony forms a panoramic view that you will surely love, you can go out to enjoy a unique sunset.
Prices: From 600.00 quetzales a night (around 78.00 US dollars).
Website: Find them on Instagram and Facebook!
Flores, Guatemala: Things to do
What about entertainment? Here are a few ideas of what to do in Isla de Flores.
1. Take a walk around the island
The island is small and easy to navigate on foot. It will not take you more than 3 hours to see all the interesting places that you can visit. You can start at the highest part (127 meters), which is the center of the island. Here you will find the church, a square, a small park, and a basketball court. Then, you can go down the streets while you see the colorful buildings. At the end, you will reach the edge of the lake and you will be able to enjoy the beautiful view.
2. Visit Tikal
The most famous ruins in Guatemala, in Tikal, are an hour away from Flores. Many tourists stay on the island and go visit Tikal for a day, perfect idea! If you decide to do this, go first thing in the morning, this way you’ll discover the ruins without crowds of people and you’ll avoid the super hot weather of noon. The heat in this area is of high temperatures and the humidity can reach 80%, so the earlier you get the better. You can’t lose this experience, Tikal is amazing!
3. Mirador Rey Canek
This is a viewpoint located on the Tayazal Peninsula with spectacular views of the island of Flores. you can reach it in about 15 minutes on a quiet boat ride on the lake. Without a doubt, a must-see in Flores.
4. Petencito
Petencito is a zoo run by the public University in Guatemala, Universidad San Carlos. The main idea is to preserve the animal and natural heritage of the area. It has a lagoon surrounded by interpretive trails and viewpoints. You can get there in 15 minutes by boat, and in 20 minutes by car from Flores.
Flores, Guatemala: Weather and environment
Since the weather is an important factor to take into account when traveling, here’s what you need to know about the weather and environment in Flores, Guatemala.
The zone’s climate is tropical-hot and humid in the lower parts. The average temperature is 25 degrees celsius (77 Fahrenheit) and the maximum is 42 degrees Celsius (107.8 Fahrenheit). The hottest season is between March and June.
It has two weather seasons in the year: a wet one, from May to December, and a dry one, which begins in January and ends in April. Regarding rain, the rainiest month is September, and the one with less rain is February.
Since Petén is home to tons of flora and fauna, insects like mosquitoes are part of your stay here. Bbring repellent with you and it’ll be fine.
Flores, Guatemala: Great Restaurants
Do you enjoy food as much as I do? Isla de Flores has delicious restaurants you must try! Here are a few ideas.
1. Restaurante Casa Blanca
Casa Blanca Restaurant is a place with a privileged location, from where you can enjoy beautiful views and sunsets by the lake. In addition, they have air conditioning, making it an ideal place to cool off from the heat of Petén. They also have an outdoor pergola to rest after a day of activity. Delight yourself with Casa Blanca’s international menu, they offer a variety of dishes at a good price.
Prices: Dishes from 40.00 quetzales (around 5.00 US dollars). Beverages from 10.00 quetzales (around 1.30 US dollars).
2. Maracuyá
Maracuyá is a healthy corner that offers different foods and drinks prepared with quality raw materials. In this space you will be able to find everything from vegetable juices, fruits, smoothies, vegetarian food, and much more. The best thing is that the restaurant has a beautiful view of Lake Petén Itzá and a fairly complete menu of the day.
Prices: Dishes from 35.00 quetzales (around 4.50 US dollars). Beverages from 15.00 quetzales (around 2.00 US dollars).
3. San Telmo
San Telmo is one of the most colorful and picturesque restaurants on Flores Island. From sweet crepes to flavorful salads, this destination has it all. The best thing is that their tables are surrounded by nature with an unforgettable view of Lake Petén Itzá. The house’s specialty is natural water-based drinks. Delicious!
Prices: food from 35.00 quetzales (around 4.50 US dollars).
4. Maple & Tocino
If you are an exotic desserts and milkshakes lover, you have to visit Maple & Tocino on Flores Island. It is a delicious restaurant with an innovative atmosphere, full of light, decoration and best of all, a lot of chocolate. The site is full of colors, with a terrace area for you to enjoy the view while trying different and innovative flavors. Impressive!
Prices: Milkshake maple & tocino 29.00 quetzales (around 3.05 US dollars). Pizza from 47.00 quetzales (around 6.00 US dollars).
5. Restaurante Achiote
This restaurant is characterized by serving typical and international food, with dishes from the region and hand-made accompaniments. The best thing is that they have a menu of specialty drinks and coffee grown in Guatemala. Its facilities are perfect to have a pleasant evening full of details.
Prices: dishes from 45.00 quetzales (around 6.00 US dollars).
Flores, Guatemala: Flights
Mundo Maya International Airport, also called the Flores airport, is the second most important airport in Guatemala and is located in the city of Santa Elena, municipality of Petén.
Although it is better (cheaper) to find a flight from Guatemala City to Flores airport, there are also options from other countries. Here are approximations of prices from both Guatemala and other cities:
- From Guatemala City to Flores: options around 195.00 USD and 205.00 USD
- From El Salvador to Flores: from 269.00 USD
- From San José, Costa Rica to Flores: from 267.00 USD
- From Los Angeles to Flores: from 475.00 USD
- From New York JFK to Flores: from 483.00 USD
- From San Francisco to Flores: from 571.00 USD
Practice Your Spanish!
Want to visit Flores, Guatemala? Go ahead and practice your Spanish conversational skills before your trip! We’ve been providing reliable service to Spanish learners for more than 10 years – sign up for a free class with our certified teachers from Guatemala and come to Guatemala speaking like a pro!
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