Flores Itinerary (3 Days): Complete Day-by-day Breakdown

Flores Itinerary (3 Days): Complete Day-by-day Breakdown

Flores is a vibrant little island town in the middle of Lake Peten Itza in northern Guatemala. Best known for its proximity to the Tikal National Park, Flores is often frequented with the sole intention of visiting Guatemala’s largest Mayan ruins. BUT, you’d be mistaken to leave this town without exploring a little further. You’ll soon find out that it has much more to offer!

After spending several days there whilst backpacking Central America, it quickly became one of my favourite places in Guatemala. I’m hoping that this Flores itinerary will help it become one of yours as well!

Whether you’re looking to kick back and relax with a drink and sunset views or embrace the jungle, Flores has something for everyone. So here’s a detailed breakdown of my 3-day Flores itinerary, containing everything you need to know about activities in Flores, prices, timings, budget and more.

Flores Itinerary in Short

• Day 1: Arrive and explore Flores
• Day 2: Visit Tikal National Park
• Day 3: Explore Lake Peten Itza: Jorge’s Rope Swing and El Mirador

How to use this Flores Itinerary: This itinerary combines what I think is the best three days in Flores for backpackers on a budget. It includes highlights like Tikal, as well as other activities which I’ve ordered in a realistic way where you can still make the most of your time. That said, you can still swap around the dates to suit your individual needs.

How many days do you need in Flores?

Let’s be honest, the biggest reason why Flores is on the travel trail in Guatemala is because of Tikal. So if you’re only visiting because of the ruins, you may only need one night. And if you’re doing this, you may prefer to stay in one of the hotels in Tikal National Park (Jungle Lodge, Tikal Inn or Jaguar Inn) or camp overnight at Tikal.

I recommend at least two full days in Flores; preferably a little longer to avoid rushing. At a squeeze, you could do everything in two days (so that’s how long you actually ‘need‘), but part of the Flores experience is its chilled atmosphere, so an extra day or two is ideal.

If you’re a foodie like me, be aware that there aren’t loads of restaurants and bars in Flores, so you may begin to feel limited after a few days.

Day 1: Arrive & Explore Flores

Most travellers arrive in Flores from San Ignacio (by crossing the border with Belize) or from further south in Guatemala (Lanquin, Lake Atitlan or Antigua).

This means that you’ll likely have the afternoon and evening when you first arrive. Given Flores’ small size, this is absolutely fine!

Arrive and settle in

After a morning of travel, I recommend a quiet afternoon exploring the town not expending too much energy.

The island itself only takes around 30 minutes to walk around, so take your time and explore the colourful, cobbled streets. Feel free to detour; wander onto the jetties; go in search of terrapins; take photos with the Peten sign, check out the cathedral at Parque Central, or try snacks from street vendors.

NOTE: Flores is probably one of the safest areas in Guatemala. I walked around during the daytime alone with my camera and felt completely safe. The streets become eerily deserted at night.

If you crossed the border from Belize or Mexico, you may want to withdraw cash or find a SIM card. I found ATMs in Flores weren’t particularly reliable so you might need to try more than one. SIM cards can be found in small shops on the island; look out for Tigo or Claro signs (the two main network providers in Guatemala).

If you haven’t already, organise your arrangements for Tikal as early as possible. You can book a tour or visit independently. There are several tour operators scattered around the island and Los Amigos hostel is a popular and reliable spot to book any activities (even if they inflate the prices slightly).

Sunset Dinner and Drinks

Once you’re settled and acquainted, it’s time to go out for dinner and a drink. There are a few restaurants and bars on the west side of the island with terraces overlooking the lake, and there’s no better way to end your day than watching the sun go down with a cocktail (or beer) in hand. Some of the best sunsets I saw in Guatemala were in Flores as the lake reflects the amazing colours in the sky whilst the boats are silhouetted against the lake.

For drinks, Sky Bar is a popular option with its happy-hour drinks menu and strong cocktail selection. For food, Terrazzo which is just next door to Sky Bar has an equally good view and serves some amazing desserts.

NOTE: Sky Bar can get busy around sunset so arrive slightly early to get a prime spot.

There are other options with similarly gorgeous views, but I found these two to be the best regarded. Other travellers mentioned the craft beers at Restaurante San Telmo, but I found their service was slow and their menu was half-empty.

Day 2: Explore Tikal Mayan Ruins

Tikal Mayan Ruins

Tikal is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Central America. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and also a National Park brimming with wildlife.

There are around 3000 Mayan structures across the site (some not completely excavated), and it was thought the ancient civilisation was home to roughly 100,000 people. What you should take from this is that Tikal is pretty darn massive, and will take you several hours to explore and learn about this iconic spot.

Located 1.5 hours away from Flores, there are plenty of ways to visit Tikal National Park. You can take a sunrise tour, an early morning tour, a daytime tour, a sunset tour, or explore on your own without a guide!

I opted for a sunrise tour because apparently, I don’t value sleep…

In all seriousness, I would recommend visiting Tikal for sunrise for a number of reasons. Early in the morning, there are smaller crowds because the site doesn’t officially open until 6am. Only those who have paid an additional sunrise entrance fee can get into the National Park. Watching the sun come up and listening to the rainforest come alive is a magical experience and is something that can’t be truly captured on camera.

Don’t expect the perfect sunrise when you visit. Often clouds or fog swamp the trees due to the humidity of the forest.

Having a guide was really valuable as it put context behind the spectacular ruins you’re seeing. If you don’t go as part of a tour, you can arrange a guide at the entrance to Tikal.

Times: Every day, 6am-6pm (Sunrise tickets allow entrance at 4am)
Duration: 7+ hours
Price: Normal entrance to Tikal is 150Q.

Optional: Chill Afternoon / Uaxactun

I returned from the sunrise tour at around lunchtime so you have the rest of the afternoon to relax, catch up on sleep, or chill in a hammock! This was particularly necessary after the 2am start!

Alternatively, since you have paid for the Tikal park entrance for the day, you can stay longer to explore or even continue on towards Uaxactun. Both of these alternatives would mean taking public transport back to Flores town.

NOTE: if you’re squeezing your Flores itinerary into 2 days, head to Jorge’s Rope Swing in the afternoon to relax and cool off. You should still have plenty of time after doing a sunrise tour of Tikal.

In the evening, look out for some local street food. The west side of the island has a number of street vendors that pop up at around 4pm. Alternatively, my favourite food stall, Tacos Los Peces, can be found in the main square selling two burritos for 15Q!

Day 3: Explore Lake Peten Itza

With your final day in Flores, you can fully explore the wider lake! And there’s several ways to do that and get a feel for Lake Peten.

Rent a kayak

Paddle out from the shores of Flores to get unspoilt, picturesque views across Lake Peten Itza. On a still morning, the lake can give you the perfect reflection.

Most hostels on the island offer kayak rentals, as do several tour operators.

Renting a kayak also gives you the option to paddle over to other areas such as El Mirador, Jorge’s rope swing, El Museo de Santa Barbara or Chechenal beach.

Take a boat trip

If paddling isn’t for you, catching a boat ride is a great alternative. You can pick up a lancha (local boat) from a number of pontoons around the edge of the island.

NOTE: Be careful not to get ripped off by the drivers, they will likely try to charge you a lot more than you should be paying. You shouldn’t be paying more than 25Q for one-way trips to most of these spots.

Mirador del Rey Canek

The Mirador del Rey Canek is a viewpoint located on the San Miguel side of the lake opposite Flores. It’s probably the best view of the island that you will find. Not only will you be able to see the whole island of Flores, but also the Mundo Maya international airport.

To get to the lookout, it’s a 15-20 minute walk from the shore where you hop off your boat or kayak. The walk is predominantly flat with brief sections of slight uphill. Then you will reach the small ‘tree tower’ which you can climb to get the panoramic views. If you are lucky, you might even hear howler monkeys whilst you’re up there!

Times: Every day, 24 hours
Duration: 1 hour (including walk)
Price: Free

Jorge’s Rope Swing.

Jorge’s Rope Swing is a small, family-run resort on the other side of Lake Peten (on the mainland). You can sunbathe; swim; grab food and drinks; listen to music; jump off the diving platform; and as you may have guessed there’s a big rope swing. It’s a great place to hang out for a couple of hours and meet other backpackers. Plus the views during sunset are stunning!

Is it safe to swim in Lake Peten Itza? Simply, yes the water in Lake Peten Itza is safe to swim in, as are most of the waters around Flores. It isn’t the clearest water, so check the depth before you dive in. The water by Jorge’s rope swing is relatively warm, so it’s a great place for a refreshing dip, especially if you’ve just walked to the Mirador del Rey viewpoint!

Times: Every day, 9am-7pm
Duration: 2 hours (approx)
Price: 25Q

Flores Itinerary Map

I’ve marked everything on this Flores itinerary on a map. There is a concentration of pins on the island itself – zoom in to take a closer look!

Where to stay in Flores

On the small island of Flores, there aren’t loads of accommodation options, so I recommend looking in advance (if possible). You can stay just outside of the island, but I don’t recommend doing so for this itinerary.

There are only a couple of proper hostels, so hotels and guesthouses are more prominent on the island.

Here are my top three recommendations for accommodation in Flores, Guatemala:

• Los Amigos Hostel: The most well-known and popular hostel on the island of Flores. This is where I stayed, and would highly recommend for convenience and social scene.
• Hostal Don Cenobio: Located on the northern tip of Flores, you can almost see Jorge’s Rope Swing in the distance!
• Hotel Peten Express Tikal: More of a hotel vibe than a hostel (despite being on Hostelworld), but offers good value for money.

I’ve written a separate article on the best places to stay in Flores here.

Flores Budget

You’re probably wondering how much should you expect to spend during this 3-day Flores itinerary.

As a budget backpacker, I spent 1335Q during my three days in Flores.

The breakdown is as follows:

Despite its small size, Flores is a place with a large price variation. You can find street food for as cheap as 10Q, and restaurant food for anywhere between 30Q to over 100Q.

Similarly, boat prices and tour prices will all vary depending on the stall or person you speak to. The only things that remain consistent are the Tikal park fees which can be found and purchased online and the entrance to Jorge’s Rope Swing.

More things to do in Flores?

If you have more time in Flores, you might be racking your brain for more things to do! On such a small island, one of your best options could be a chill day, but here are some more ideas:

El Mirador 5-day trek

If your time isn’t limited, there is one standout option: the epic 5-day hike to El Mirador. This trek isn’t on most Guatemalan itineraries and is completely missed by most people visiting Flores because of time or cost constraints. The trek provides a unique experience of Mayan ruins completely isolated from modern civilisation. The only way to get there is either by helicopter over the jungle or a 5-day trek through the jungle. These mysterious ruins are home to La Danta, the tallest Mayan structure ever built and one of the tallest pyramids in the world!

The hike starts in La Carmelita and heads north towards the Guatemala-Mexico border. Be prepared for a long and sweaty hike, with some days up to 8 hours of walking. I’m not going to deny that trekking those distances through the dense and humid jungle isn’t tough, but at least it’s flat! Plus, you will see loads of wildlife and no tourists (you left them back in Flores)!

Museo Santa Barbara

On a tiny islet to the east of Flores is the Museo Santa Barbara. It’s one of the only museums in the Flores region and hosts a collection of ancient Mayan artefacts from nearby ruins – dating back as far as 2000 years! Despite the small size of the museum, it aptly tells the history of this civilisation and is a great little visit if you like archaeology, Mayan culture or museums.

After browsing the museum, enjoy a drink on this scenic island at the local cafe. A boat from Flores island to Santa Barbara should cost 10-15Q.

Uaxactun Ruins

A few kilometres beyond Tikal, and further into the jungle, are the Uaxactun ruins. They’re not as large or famous as Tikal, but they are significantly quieter and less excavated. The lack of tourists makes it a more intimate experience, whilst the limited renovation makes it more rugged. Uaxactun is worth the visit if you prefer quieter Mayan ruins and have some time going spare. Once again, I would recommend a tour guide to help you understand the history.

Uaxactun can be visited on a day trip from Flores but organised transport is necessary due to its more remote location. If you would rather take public transport to Uaxactun, you will need to catch the bus from Santa Elena in the afternoon. This stops at Tikal at around 5pm and arrives in Uaxactun around 6pm. The return bus leaves Uaxactun at 7am meaning you will need to spend at least one night in Uaxactun village, which will show you a different side of Guatemala.

Where to go after Flores

Flores’ location in the far north of Guatemala means that the only direction is south (if you plan to stay in Guatemala)

• Lanquin: The home of Semuc Champey, one of the most beautiful natural phenomena I’ve ever seen! It’s in the middle of nowhere, but breaks up the journey down south! It’s around 10-12 hours from Flores to Lanquin.
• Antigua: My favourite city in Central America, and the base point for any adventures around Pacaya or Acatenango volcanoes. The quickest and most popular way is to get an internal flight from Flores to Antigua. From Antigua, you can go towards other popular places in Guatemala (El Paredon or Lake Atitlan), but I don’t recommend going directly from Flores.

If you’re heading overland into another country, Flores connects well with Belize (but not Mexico due to safety concerns).

For Belize, you get to San Ignacio using various chicken buses. I’ve written an article about the Belize-Guatemala border crossing here.

Before you go

Thank you for reading my 3-day Flores itinerary in Guatemala. If guides and travel content like this interest you, head over to my Homepage to find out more.

If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out my About page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures, and why I wanted to become a travel writer.

Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.

Happy travelling!