Flores Travel Guide

Getting There

The road between Tikal and Flores is well-paved, and the trip takes around an hour by car. To get to either of the sister towns from Tikal, head south out of the ruins, and turn right at Ixlú (El Cruce). Continue on past the airport, and you'll come to Santa Elena first. Stay on the main avenue into town and head toward the lake, where you'll find the causeway to Flores.

Getting Around

Those in Santa Elena or Flores will most likely want to go to Tikal or explore the region around Lake Petén.

By Bus -- Very inexpensive local bus service connects Flores and Santa Elena to Tikal and several neighboring communities. However, this service is infrequent, slow, and often uncomfortably overcrowded. Línea Dorada has three daily buses from Santa Elena to Tikal leaving at 5 and 8am and 3:30pm. The return buses leave Tikal at 2 and 5pm. Ask your hotel or around town for current schedules, as they change periodically. Duration of the trip is 1 1/2 hours; the one-way fare is Q25 ($3.35/£1.75).

By Minivan -- If you don't have a car, the best way to get around this area is by minivan. Scheduled and independent minivans ply the route between Santa Elena or Flores and Tikal throughout the day. Minivans and collective taxis charge between Q30 and Q45 ($4-$6/£2.10-£3.15) per person.

Minivans from Flores and Santa Elena leave roughly every hour between 5am and 10am, and less frequently thereafter. They also meet every plane arriving at the Santa Elena airport. These minivans leave from Tikal for the return trip roughly every hour from noon to 6pm. Hotels in Flores and Santa Elena can also arrange a minivan pickup for you. It's always best to reserve your return on a minibus back to Santa Elena when you pay for your fare out. The trip usually takes an hour and costs Q30 to Q45 ($4-$6/£2.10-£3.15) per person, each way.

By Taxi -- Taxis charge between Q250 and Q400 ($33-$53/£18-£28) for the one-way trip between Flores or Santa Elena and Tikal. Between Flores or Santa Elena and El Remate, the fare is around Q100 to Q200 ($13-$27/£7-£14). The higher rate is for a minivan that can hold between six and eight passengers. A taxi is your best option if you decide to explore the area around the lake, but be sure to bargain, as the first price you are quoted is almost certainly above the going rate and subject to some negotiation.

By Car -- The road between Santa Elena and Flores and Tikal is paved, well-marked, and heavily traveled. It's about 32km (20 miles) from Flores to Ixlú, and another 32km (20 miles) on to the park and ruins of Tikal.

Orientation

The town primarily known as Flores actually consists of three smaller towns that have merged. Flores proper sits on a small island out in Lake Petén Itzá, and is connected to the mainland by a long causeway. On the mainland are Santa Elena (nearest the airport) and San Benito (closer to the bus terminal and market). Whether you arrive by air or bus from Guatemala City or Belize, you'll come into town from the east. The road in from the airport leads straight through Santa Elena to the market and bus terminal, while the causeway to Flores is a right turn in the middle of Santa Elena.

Fast Facts

There is an information booth run by the Guatemalan Tourism Commission, INGUAT (tel. 502/7926-0533; www.visitguatemala.com), at the Flores airport, and another one in downtown Flores (tel. 502/7926-0669). Both provide basic maps to the region and ruins, as well as brochures for local hotels and tour agencies. To contact the local police, dial tel. 502/7926-1365.

There are numerous banks in downtown Flores and Santa Elena. Most have ATMs, and many of these will work with your debit or credit card. Check with your home bank and the PLUS or Cirrus systems in advance to confirm. Downtown banks in Santa Elena include Banquetzal, Calle 4, between avenidas 4 and 5 (tel. 502/7926-0711); Banrural, Avenida 3 and Calle 4 (tel. 502/7926-1002); and Banco Industrial, Avenida 6 (tel. 502/7926-0281). Most of the hotels and restaurants in Flores and Santa Elena will also exchange dollars for quetzales, although they may give you a slightly less favorable rate than you would get at a bank.

The Flores post office is on the Pasaje Progresso just off the Parque Central, or Central Park, which is in front of the church. Santa Elena's post office is on Calle 2 and Avenida 7. Both are open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. There are a host of Internet cafes around Flores and Santa Elena. I recommend Tikal Net, on Calle Centroamérica in Flores (tel. 502/7926-0655), with more than two dozen terminals and fast connections.