Are you planning on including Flores in your next Guatemala itinerary? I’m sure you won’t regret it. Flores is definitely a must-see destination that many travelers skip. In this article, you’ll discover the best things to do in Flores so you can make the most of your visit. In addition, don’t miss this article to find out the Ultimate Guatemala Itinerary and see how you could include Flores on your upcoming trip.
Where is Flores and how to get there
Flores is a small city located in the northeastern part of Guatemala. It’s famous for being close to the magnificent Mayan ruins of Tikal (we’ll talk about them later) and it’s a common stop for travelers who are going from Guatemala to Belize, as it’s relatively close to the border.
There are basically 3 ways to get to Flores:
- By plane: Flores has its own airport, so one option to get there is to take a 1-hour flight from Guatemala City. Fares start at $40 for a one-way ticket, hand-luggage included.
- By shuttle: There are tourist shuttles connecting the most popular travel destinations in the country. As I mention in this article about the 15 things you should know before traveling to Guatemala, this is the best way to travel inside Guatemala, since it will save you tons of time. The length of the trip will depend on your departure city; for example, it will take 8 hours from Antigua and 13 hours from Lake Atitlan. If you want to see how you could include Flores in your Guatemala itinerary, don’t miss this article!
- By bus: If you don’t want to spend a whole day traveling, taking a night bus might be a good option for you. There are night buses to Flores both from Antigua and Guatemala City, and the trip will last around 11 hours (they depart around 8 PM and arrive in Flores around 7 AM).
Night bus from Ciudad de Guatemala to Flores
This service is provided by the company Maya de Oro (you can check all the information and buy the tickets on their website here).
Some people might prefer to take the night bus at 10 PM so as not to waste many hours traveling during the day.
Duration: 9 hours
Cost: around 42 dollars
Departure time Arrival time
10:00 am 07:00 pm
02:00 pm 10:00 pm
09:00 pm 02:00 am
10:00 pm (night bus) 06:00 am
Departure address: 17 Calle, Zona 1 in Guatemala City (type Transportes Fuente del Norte in Google Maps)
Arrival address: Terminal Transportes Fuente del Norte in Flores (25 minutes walking from Flores Island, the main touristic area)
Luggage: one piece of 25 kg plus one
Amenities: A/C and toilets
Night bus from Antigua to Flores
This service is provided by the company Maya de Oro (you can check all the information and buy the tickets on this website here)
Some people might prefer to take the night bus at 7 PM so as not to waste many hours traveling during the day.
Duration: 13-15 hours
Cost: around 64 dollars
Departure time Arrival time
9:00 am 23:00 pm
15:00 pm 06:00 am
19:00 pm (night bus) 08:00 am
Departure address: Pick-up at your accommodation
Arrival address: Terminal Transportes Fuente del Norte in Flores (25 minutes walking from Flores Island, the main touristic area)
Luggage: one piece of 25 kg plus one personal item included
Amenities: A/C and toilets
Is Flores safe?
Yes! Flores is an absolutely safe destination, even for solo female travelers. There are many tourists, including many solo backpackers, and the locals are very welcoming and helpful.
How many days should you stay in Flores?
I would save a minimum of 2 complete days for any Flores itinerary, although 3 days would be even better to enjoy the city to the fullest. Keep in mind that visiting Tikal will take you a whole day. You can check out this article to find the best itinerary for Guatemala.
Where to stay in Flores Guatemala
If you look at a map, you’ll see that the city looks quite big, but all the must-see places are located on the Island of Flores or on the shore of Lake Peten; so, these two spots are the places where you’ll want to stay.
There are many great accommodation options on the opposite shore of the lake, but check that the hotel or hostel provides free transportation to and from the island. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to pay for a boat ride every time you want to go back and forth. Hostal Casa de Grethel, for example, offers a great location and free boat rides.
If you book a place on the island, you’ll have no problem getting there, as it’s not really an island; it’s connected by a small stretch of land to the city and you can cross a short bridge by foot to get there.
The best things to include in your Flores itinerary
1-Visit the Island of Flores
No Flores itinerary is complete without a visit to The Island. The Island of Flores is a small island connected to the city of Flores by a short bridge and it’s the area that hosts the typical colorful houses and cobbled streets you’ve probably seen in pictures.
Although rather small, this island has many things to offer. You could easily spend a few hours just walking around its vibrant streets. There are also many coffee shops to make a stop at, or why not enjoy a typical Guatemalan meal in one of the many restaurants? The street right next to the lake offers unbeatable views of Lake Peten and the outstanding nature that surrounds the city.
2-Visit Tikal Ruins, the number 1 activity in any Flores itinerary
(I have a whole post about everything you need to know to visit Tikal ruins.)
This is without doubt the best thing to do in Guatemala and a must-do activity in your Flores itinerary. Today, a bit over 50% of Guatemala’s population are Mayans. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit one of the best-preserved ruins of this civilization.
Contrary to the ruins you’ll find in Mexico, which are packed, in Guatemala, only a few tourists visit the ruins of Tikal. These impressive constructions are located in the middle of the forest; I promise you’ll feel like you are time-traveling to ancient Mayan times.
The best way to visit the ruins is to take a tour with a guide, since you’ll need the explanation of an expert to understand the history behind every construction and to get a better perception of how life used to be for the Ancient Mayans.
Regular group tours include transportation (from a meetup point) and a visit with a guide. Fares start at $35; the entry ticket is usually not included and must be purchased at the park entrance (around $20). Keep in mind that payments by card or foreign currency are not accepted, so make sure to bring enough cash in the local currency (the quetzal).
Also note that there’s no ATM in Tikal, so make any withdrawals you might need in Flores.
There are many tours that include hotel pickup and lunch, for example, for a higher fare. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can get the one that suits you the most.
Visiting Tikal for sunrise
A great experience for early birds is visiting the ruins at sunrise. The transportation departs at 3 AM from Flores, since you must enter the park before 6 AM. In this case, the tickets are a bit more expensive (around $35) and the price of the tours starts at $80. After enjoying the incredible views of the sun coming up from behind the ruins, you’ll take the regular tour around the site.
3-Go on a boat tour around Lake Peten
As I mentioned before, Flores is located on the shore of Lake Peten, the third largest lake in Guatemala. You´ll get amazing views of the lake from the city itself, but one of the best things to do in Flores is get on a boat and discover what the lake has to offer.
There are many boat drivers along the Island of Flores’s shore, but one piece of advice: check the price beforehand. Ask how much it will cost per person for the WHOLE trip, since some boat drivers will tell you one price and then, at the end of the tour, say that that was the price for every stop (meaning, if you made 3 stops, you should multiply that price by 3).
Check out activities n° 4 and 5 to discover two great spots to include on your boat trip!
4-Go for a swim at Jorge’s Rope Swing
Jorge’s Rope Swing is one of the most popular must-do things among backpackers. This rope swing is located on the opposite side of the lake and it can easily be included on your boat trip around the lake. The location offers, on top of the rope swing, a beautiful spot surrounded by nature where you can go for a swim and enjoy the sun. It’s the perfect place to go with a group of friends, listen to some music and relax.
5-Visit Canek scenic viewpoint
This is another spot located on the other side of the lake that can be included on your boat trip. This viewpoint offers the most breathtaking views of the lake and the city of Flores in the background. It’s definitely a place to consider watching the sunset.
6-Enjoy the sunset at a rooftop bar in front of the lake
All over Guatemala, sunsets are out of this world, and Flores is no exception. One great thing to do in Flores is go for a drink at one of the many rooftop bars located on the shore of the Island of Flores. Sky Bar, for instance, is a great option where you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail and get one of the best views of the lake (and sunset) in the whole town. Also, why not order some delicious Guatemalan food to make the whole experience even better?
7-Water Sports
No trip to Flores would be complete without trying out some water sports on Lake Peten. Kayak, paddleboard and jet ski—you can choose the one you like the most and rent your equipment for a few hours. This is one of the best things to do in Flores and will let you explore the lake while having tons of fun at the same time.
Conclusion to this Flores Itinerary
Flores is a destination that all adventure lovers should include on their itinerary. Visiting Tikal itself would be a good enough reason to visit this city, but don’t miss out on the many activities Flores has to offer. These 7 best things to do in Flores will for sure make your trip unforgettable and let you visit the most iconic spots in the area. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your next trip to Flores now!
You might also like:
- 15 Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Guatemala
- 16 Top Things to Do in Antigua Guatemala
- Itinerary for Guatemala’s highlights (7 days, 10 days and 15 days)
- El Remate Guatemala – Ultimate Guide to this Off-The-Beaten-Path Destination
- El Paredon Guatemala – Ultimate Guide
- Accommodation and Food in El Paredon Guatemala
- Acatenango Hike Complete Guide
- Is Tikal Worth Visiting? Ultimate Tikal Guide
- Is Hobbitenango Worth Visiting? Complete Hobbitenango Guide
- Guatemala City Airport to Antigua Guide
Leave a Reply