Flores is an extremely small town in Petén, Guatemala. It is located on an island in Lago Petén Itzá, connected to the land by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway lie the twin cities Santa Elena and San Benito. For many, the main reason to visit Flores is its proximity to Tikal, the most famous Mayan ruins in Guatemala. Flores is a quiet and peaceful place, and probably one of the safest places in the sometimes wild north. Nearby Santa Elena and San Benito require a little more caution, but offer a more authentic experience of a Guatemalan town, complete with crazy traffic, litter and street food. The whole conglomerate of Flores, Santa Elena and San Benito is often referred to as Flores.

Tourist Offices
The Inguat desk, at the airport, can give you valuable information.

Around and closeby
Petencito Zoo is a small zoo that is home to monkeys, jaguars and raccoons, as well as some animals rescued by ARCAS. The zoo is a 10 minute boat ride from Flores. Around Flores there are several places that offer adventure rides, such as hanging from a harness and sliding down wires attached between trees. One such place is located outside Tikal main gate, and is a canopy tour only; another place is Ixanpajul - a 5 minutes drive from Flores, which has a canopy tour, a walking loop with suspension bridges and offers horse riding and camping facilities.

Sightseeing
Ak'tun Kan is better known as the “cave of the serpent”. Take the main road through Santa Elena, turn left at the end of the road and follow signs. It is clearly marked. From the causeway in Flores, it is a 30 minute walk. Inside the cave are many formations that resemble various objects, such as animals, people, and of course ordinary stalagmites and stalactites. Most of the relics are labelled (in Spanish) and will be identified by your guide.

Getting there
TAG and TACA Airlines both run daily flights from Guatemala City. It is about two kilometres from the airport to the Flores causeway. Shuttles to Tikal meet every flight. Buses from Guatemala City and Belize City, as well as various other destinations all over the country, stop in the Fuente del Norte bus station in Santa Elena, a five minute auto-rickshaw ride from Flores. If you take a public minibus from Cobán you will have to change to another minibus once or twice along the way, the other minibuses are awaiting your arrival. You will then take a free ferry ride across the river before continuing on in a new minibus.

Getting around
Walking is the most common way to get around, and circling the whole island takes about 15 minutes. Auto-rickshaws, vans and buses are an option.