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Welcome To Flores, Guatemala
Discovering Flores, Guatemala, is an adventure waiting to unfold. Nestled on Lake Petén Itzá, this charming island boasts lots of things to do, from exploring ancient Mayan ruins to strolling along gorgeous cobblestone streets adorned with colorful pastel houses. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping activities like Jorge’s Rope Swing or a tranquil moment watching the sunset from a rooftop bar, Flores has it all. Join us as we go through our favorite things to do in this beautiful Guatemalan town and its surroundings!
13 Incredible Things To Do In Flores
1. Visit the Ancient Mayan City of Tikal
This is a top attraction in Guatemala and one of my favorite sets of ancient ruins. The magnificent limestone pyramids in surrounded by the jungle and its wildlife make this a must-do on everyone’s Guatemala itinerary!
Read our Complete Guide to Visiting Tikal
I highly recommend exploring Tikal with a guide, as it’s really helpful to get some background information so you can understand what you’re seeing. Shared guide services (including transportation) cost around $20, and private guides cost a bit more!
2. Explore the streets of Flores
This is a hill I will die on: if Flores got rid of cars, the telephone wires, and did some minor renovations, this would be a more instagramable spot than Santorini. The cobblestone streets lined with colorful pastel houses, restaurants and hotels was something we were pleasantly surprised with. Make sure to spend some time walking these streets! Flores is a super small island so you can definitely see it all!
3. Seek Adrenaline at Jorge’s Rope Swing
This is a family-run bar where you can grab drinks, jump of a platform or rope-swing, and hang out with other travelers. This is definitely more of a young/party vibe, so be ready for that if you go! To get there, head here and pay the driver 25 GTQ ($3 USD) to take you to Jorge’s.
4. Watch the Sunset From a Rooftop Bar
Sky Bar is the most popular bar for this and it gets PACKED so you may want to head there early! During happy hour from 5-9 PM, you can enjoy 2 for 1 margs for just $4 USD. If you don’t want to go to Sky Bar, any bar facing west will do! Cafe Mena isn’t a rooftop bar but has a great vibe, serves craft beer, and has a decent view of the sunset. There’s also plenty of seating down by the water.
5. Admire the View From El mirador del Reycanek
This viewpoint provides a gorgeous view of the Flores Island, Lake Petén Itzá, and the surrounding greenery. To get there, go here, pay 10 GTQ ($1 USD) for a boat driver to take you across the lake, then walk 45 minutes, climb up some oddly slanted stairs, and be met with spectacular views:
6. Explore Actun Kan Cave
Actun Kan Cave is a surprisingly vast cave network that had a mystical-religious significance to the Mayans. The larger tour takes up to two hours, while the smaller tour took us around 30 minutes and was 100% worth it. You’ll be given a helmet and headlamp, and you should wear long pants and shoes with excellent traction as these caves are interesting. We saw a snake, a bat, and a decent sized spider so if that isn’t your thing, proceed with caution! The short tour costs 25 GTQ ($3 USD) and the long tour costs 35 GTQ ($4 USD). There’s also a butterfly garden here, although it wasn’t open in December of 2023 when we went.
7. Go On The El Zotz Maya Trek
This is a 3D2N jungle trek that starts in Cruce Dos Aguadas and ends at Tikal Ruins. You’ll walk around 6-7 hours per day through the lush wildlife-filled, Guatemalan Rainforest, interact with local tribes, and eat authentic Mayan and Guatemalan cuisine. These are only offered through local communities and you can only book through this website.
8. Day Trip To San Ignacio
San Ignacio, Belize is a town nestled in the Belizean jungle with tons of cool nature, Cahal Pech (some impressive Mayan Ruins), and a very laid-back vibe. It’s only a 2 hour drive from Flores, so if you want a taste of Belizean culture, this is the place to go!!
Check Out The Best Things To Do In San Ignacio
9. Explore the Yaxha Ruins
While these aren’t, as big as Tikal, they are still HUGE, covering over 35 square miles, (90 square km). This remarkable site, dating back to the Pre-Classic period, boasts well-preserved structures such as temples, ball courts, and pyramids, offering a captivating glimpse into Maya civilization. Visitors can ascend its structures to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding jungle, enhancing the immersive experience of exploring this historical gem.
10. Visit a Museum On A Super Small Island
While Flores is a small island, Santa Bárbara is even smaller. Museo Santa Bárbara is a small Mayan museum on the island with ancient Mayan relics. Most impressively, it is located on an island just off the coast of Flores! They have a bar you can enjoy a drink at, and you can even stay here!
11. Stroll Through San Miguel
Even if you don’t have any interest in the 45 minute walk to El mirador del Reycanek, you should still venture across the lake and explore San Miguel. Walk amongst the locals, enjoy a cheap but delicious meal, and explore the lesser known attractions. Local businesses have fully adapted to the rising water levels here:
12. Go Paddleboarding or Kayaking on Lake Petén Itzá
Rent a paddle board or kayak and explore Lake Petén Itzá with more freedom. Go to San Miguel, Islota Santa Barbara, and Jorge’s rope swing without having to rely on and bargain with boat drivers. The sunset is much prettier from the water!
13. A Fun Bonus!
If you’d like to make exploring Flores even more fun, we have a Scavenger Hunt for you. Find this car!
Where To Stay In Flores
Flores Accommodations
Where To Eat In Flores
- Tacos Los Peces: Great, cheap fast food. You can get a super burrito, taco, tostada, and a drink for 25 GTQ ($3 USD)
- Cool beans: Huge portions, nice view of the lake, and great smoothies
- Guadalajara By Juans: Good Mexican food, you can never go wrong with Birria tacos!
- Delirio: Has a cute interior and great chocolate cake
- Maracuya: This place has a butterfly garden and a lake view, and is appropriately more expensive
How To Get To Flores
Flores has his own Airport, so it is an easy destination to fly into. You can get to Flores via a shared shuttle or via public transportation from inside Guatemala as well as from Belize or Mexico.
Read this article on How to Get to Flores from San Ignacio, Belize
Book Your Flights To Flores
Is Flores, Guatemala Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! The colorful houses, beautiful surrounding nature, and amazing ancient history makes this a great travel destination. Flores is the gateway to Tikal, so at the very minimum, come here to explore these magnificent ruins!
How Many Days Should You Spend in Flores?
You should spend at least 1 full day to visit Tikal. However, 2 full days is a great way to fully experience Flores. You can definitely entertain yourself for 3 full days here, but we highly recommend saving your time for all the other amazing places in Guatemala.
Keep Exploring Guatemala…
- The Best Things to do in Guatemala
- Guatemala Itinerary: An Epic 2 Week Adventure
- Best Things to do in Antigua
- The Ultimate Guide to the Acatenango Volcano Hike
- From Antigua to El Salvador By Bus: Your Ultimate Guide
- Complete Guide to Semuc Champey: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
- Antigua to Lake Atitlan (and Back!) Using Public Transportation
- Lake Atitlan: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
- The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Tikal in Guatemala
Our Favorite Travel Resources
Accommodations: We use Booking.com for hotels and HostelWorld for hostels. We also use VRBO or TrustedHousesitters for longer stays.
Flights: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest and best flights.
Ground Transport: We use 12Go and Omio for buses and private transfers, and rentalcars.com and Discover Cars for rental cars.
Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator are the best websites for booking organized tours.
International Medical Insurance: We highly recommend SafetyWing for Digital Nomads and HeyMondo for those not traveling full-time, or who frequently engage in higher-risk adventure activities.
eSIM: We recommend Airalo or Holafly for getting data internationally.
Check out our Travel Resources Page for more of our favorite travel-related products and services!
That’s a Wrap!
In conclusion, Flores proves to be a gem in the heart of Guatemala, offering a myriad of incredible things to do that cater to every traveler’s taste. From the ancient wonders of Tikal to the vibrant streets of Flores, this destination has a charm that transcends its small size. As you bid farewell to this enchanting island, keep in mind the hidden gems like Yaxha Ruins and Actun Kan Cave, which provide a deeper understanding of the region’s rich history and natural wonders. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, nature lover, or someone seeking a laid-back escape, Flores has something to offer. So, pack your bags and embark on a journey where every corner reveals a new facet of Guatemala’s beauty.
