Belize’s strategic location in Central America makes it an ideal jump off point for those wishing to travel to Guatemala and neighboring countries. Guatemala is undergoing rapid development even in the once neglected areas such as El Petén and Izabal which border the country in the west and south respectively. With easy access into and out of Guatemala, many travelers prefer to visit Belize and from here cross over into Guatemala. Flores is the capital of the Petén Department, Guatemala’s landlocked, northernmost department that is on Belize’s western border. Flores, a town built on a small island on Lake Petén Itzá, is full of brightly painted colonial buildings and stylish bars and restaurants with stunning lake views. Most people pass through quickly en route to the pyramids of Tikal, but Flores’ laid-back nature makes it the perfect place to relax for a few days. The town itself is tiny and most of the action happens near the edge of the lake.
Introduction
There are two points of entry between the two countries, with another under construction. In the extreme southern district of Toledo, there is daily traffic by sea ferry and small speedboats that travel between Punta Gorda (Belize) and Puerto Barrios (Guatemala). Ferries to Guatemala and Honduras are also available from Independence, near Dangriga. For those that prefer the highway, Puerto Barrios is about 6 hours away by bus from the Belize-Guatemala border at Melchor de Mencos.
For those wishing for a faster trip, water taxis cross a portion of the Gulf of Honduras in about two hours. Our Belize.com correspondent describes Puerto Barrios in Guatemala as a better Belize City. Much safer and far more bang for the buck. It has a deep water port, excellent tourist destinations, several malls and excellent and safe nightlife. For travelers on a budget who wish to avoid high airfares, Belize is an economical route into Guatemala and Central America. Pullman type air conditioned buses depart daily from the Melchor de Mencos municipality for the capital Guatemala city and the borders with Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico.
A land crossing between Belize and Guatemala in the extreme south near the Sarstoon River at the Jalacte is now completed as but is not yet an official crossing due to lack of immigration and customs offices.
Western Belize – Melchor De Mencos At Guatemala Border
Most traffic between Guatemala and Belize is in the west, five miles from the last major population center Benque Viejo del Carmen. The Belize customs and immigration offices are about 200 yards from a bridge that crosses the Mopan River into the Guatemalan municipality called Melchor de Mencos, Peten.
Between the border outpost and the actual bridge is a “no man’s land” area of about 5 acres. This is Guatemala territory and several bars, restaurants, taxi stands and shops line this area. The no man’s land is popular with locals who cross over to tank up on Guatemalan, Mexican and American beer which is much cheaper than the local brew. For tax purposes Belizean authorities prohibit the entry into Belize of Mexican or Guatemalan brews which are excellent and low priced compared to the local products.
The town of Melchor de Mencos, Peten is a rapidly growing municipality. The town is expanding at a rapid pace and in 2020 had a population of 35,000 according to the extrapolation from the 2010 census. There are numerous bars and a sprawling market in the downtown area.
Prices of goods are generally about 25 % cheaper compared to Belize and many Belizeans and tourists go across daily to get bargains, eat or just pass the time. Some Belizeans and expats resident in Belize own property in Melchor de Mencos and Flores Peten, primarily as a weekend or vacation retreat or rental, and to take advantage of reasonable prices on anything from food, fuel to telephone and internet access.
Three banks can be found in Melchor, the largest being the Banco De Desarollo Rural BANRURAL. The largest super market is government subsidized and offers most every consumer need, from canned and packaged goods, to beer, processed meats, clothing and basic medications. The supermarket is located right next to the central park and opposite the sprawling market. Both the supermarket and market are open on weekends to service locals and the throngs of Belizeans that travel to Melchor in search of bargains.
Medical care in Melchor de Mencos is affordable and, some Belizeans say, better compared to that offered in Belize. The government maintains a Hospital Nacional in the town staffed by 8 medical doctors, a dentist, X-ray technician and 33 support staff including nurses. There are 11 private clinics staffed by medical doctors and specialists. Going west to Santa Elena, on the the way to the Maya Site Tikal, the medical facilities are even better with more specialists available.
There are many small shops and souvenir stalls that cater to the tourists, mostly concentrated on the Calle del Comercio. The main bus lines Linia Dorada and Fuente Del Norte have their terminal right at the Melchor Border and mini buses and several taxis are conveniently located in the same area just before and after the main bridge linking Belize and Guatemala. Other mini and tourist buses are located at the Central Park where travelers can get a quick meal from several comedores (small restaurants) in the area and food stall vendors. Of note is that the attractive tourist destination of Rio Dulce, Livingston Guatemala, so loved by cruisers and international boaters is also accessible from Belize’s western border by road.
A new bridge to cross the Mopan River has been built and is in use as of January 2012. Vehicles pay a small toll to cross – about U.S. $5.00 but this depends on the size of the vehicle. Most Belizeans and expats leave their vehicles on their side of the border and either walk into Melchor de Mencos or catch a taxi – about U.S. $3.
You can find taxis and mini vans at the market area next to the park to return to Belize or take you further inland to Tikal or Flores.
Isla Flores Petén
Although it serves as the capital of Petén, Flores distinguishes itself as a serene and laid-back destination, exuding an old-fashioned charm that sets it apart from the bustling commercialism found in other towns in the region. Nestled on an island in Lago Petén Itzá, this charming town is characterized by a cluster of cobblestone streets and aging houses that encircle the white, twin-domed church of Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios. Accessible from the mainland by a causeway, FLORES offers a picturesque setting that makes it worthwhile to visit, even if you’re en route to Belize from Tikal.
The shores of the lake, being an obvious choice for settlement, were heavily populated during the Maya era. Among these settlements was Noh Petén, which eventually transformed into the present-day Flores. It served as the capital of the Itzá, the final independent Maya kingdom to surrender to the Spanish forces, who conquered and destroyed it in 1697. In 1525, Hernán Cortés, the conqueror of Mexico, passed through this area, and sporadic visits from Spanish friars occurred, although they were seldom welcomed. Throughout the colonial period and well into the 1960s, Flores remained virtually isolated, maintaining closer ties with neighboring Belize than with the Guatemalan capital.
In March 2023 Isla Flores was named “Pueblo Pintoresco de Guatemala” that translates to Picturesque Town Of Guatemala. Isla de Flores in Petén has become the second Picturesque Town of Guatemala, as part of a tourist project that aims to fill different corners of the country with color. It is expected that there will be 9 picturesque villages in Guatemala, and Isla de Flores joins Estanzuela, which is the first one to be officially named.
Through an official press conference held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, INGUAT awarded the official plaque that officially designates Isla de Flores as a Picturesque Town of Guatemala.
Isla de Flores is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Petén department, thanks to its charm and landscapes. Under the program the government helped restore over 100 buildings and public areas to their early 20th century appearance.
Over time, Flores gradually acquired modern elements, including the unattractive, sprawling, and disorganized twin towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, located across the water. Santa Elena, situated at the opposite end of the causeway from Flores and stretching between the airport and the market, offers banking services and buses, eliminating the need to venture into the chaotic mess of San Benito.
Even with a constant stream of tourists visiting Tikal, Flores maintains an elegant ambiance and provides a delightful setting for accommodation, dining, and relaxation. If you don’t plan on exploring the Guatemalan highlands but still wish to purchase traditional clothing and gifts, you’ll discover that the shops in Flores offer better prices compared to those at Tikal.