Gateway to the ancient heart of the Maya world, the village of Flores floats on Lake Petén Itzá, in northern Guatemala.

A true haven of peace, this small town enchants travelers with its tranquil atmosphere and beautifully original setting. Pretty colorful houses, colonial buildings, cobbled streets—this near-island community boasts a truly charming character. Connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, Flores offers a singular spectacle of sunsets over Lake Petén.

From Flores, venture into the Petén jungle and explore the great Maya cities: Yaxha, El Mirador, and especially Tikal. An adventure not to be missed during your time in Flores!

A glimpse into Flores' history

The Itzas, a Maya tribe originating from Chichen Itza in Mexico, founded their village on one of the small islands of Lake Petén around the mid-15th century. Known at that time by the name Tayasal or Nojpetén, the Flores peninsula served as a ceremonial center for this people.

Spanish explorers, led by Cortés, arrived at Flores around 1525. The city was officially conquered by Spain in 1697. Following their arrival, all the impressive foundations of the Empire were reduced to ashes. The Maya city was thus abandoned by its inhabitants, most of whom were killed by the invaders. The Spanish adopted the name "Nuestra Señora de los Remedios y San Pablo de los Itza" for Tayasal. The name Flores was not adopted until 1831, a decade after Guatemala's independence.

Flores today

Flores is the capital of Petén. It is visited not for its image as a charming village but for its highly strategic location for exploring Maya sites.

Flores and its culinary specialties

In Flores, you're spoiled for choice! The city's gastronomy is remarkably rich, with diverse local ingredients. Tasting arroz con pollo, tamales, and tabado will delight your palate. And why not try the famous rellenitos for dessert? You'll find banana fritters filled with sweet bean puree—an original flavor you absolutely must experience!

What to do in Flores?

Flores offers no shortage of attractions:

• Don't hesitate to take walks and admire the ancient Maya stelae scattered throughout the heart of the town.
• Love water activities? You can enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Lake Petén Itzá. Be sure to take advantage of its scenic shoreline too!
• Traveling with family? Quintas La Ponderosa Park welcomes you with open arms. The perfect spot for a short horseback ride, with plenty of water-based entertainment options as well.
• A short boat excursion will take you to Petencito Zoo! On this exciting adventure, you'll discover rich wildlife including pumas, jaguars, lizards, monkeys, ocelots, and countless bird species.

A few words about the climate

Flores enjoys a dry season and a rainy season. The dry season runs from December to May. During this period, it's hot with virtually no rainfall. To visit the city of Flores and its surroundings, prioritize this season, especially the months of February, March, and April. Rain dominates between June and October, particularly in September when precipitation is abundant.

Well-served and easy to access, the near-island of Flores is simple to reach. You can arrive either from Belize, Mexico, Honduras, or other Guatemalan cities.

From Belize

Flores is more than a hundred kilometers from the Belizean border. San Ignacio is the closest town to Flores. You can get there by plane, bus, or private car.

You can also reach Flores from Belize City. Since the journey is quite long, it's better to take a direct flight to Santa Elena. However, you can also choose to travel by bus.

From Guatemala City

From Guatemala City, you can reach Flores by plane. The airport is located in Santa Elena (Mundo Maya International Airport).

From Guatemala City

Several bus companies offer service connecting Flores to Guatemala City.

From Honduras

From San Pedro Sula, take a bus to Santa Elena with one of the companies serving the region.

From El Salvador

If you're in San Salvador, El Salvador's capital, you can take a bus to Flores, Guatemala.

To enjoy the small town of Flores, you can simply explore it on foot. However, to visit the surrounding islands, you'll need to travel by water taxi.

To connect Flores and Santa Elena, you can take a taxi or a tuk-tuk. The first option offers more comfort, while the second is more affordable and rather fun.