What to Do in Flores Guatemala:

Visit the Tikal ruins. Tikal National Park is open daily from 6:00AM to 5:00 PM.  Adult one-day tickets for foreigners cost 150 GTQ (about $20 USD).  Children under 12 enter free.  Visiting Uaxactun costs an additional 50 GTQ.  If you sign up for sunrise tour and enter the park before 6:00 AM, the ticket fee is 250 GTQ.  Tickets purchased after 3:00 PM are also valid for the next day as well.  See and hear jungle wildlife like spider monkeys, howler monkeys, coatimundi, toucans and even possibly a jaguar.

Walk a lap around Flores island, and take in all of Flores town.  Cross the causeway into Santa Elena town.  Shop for beautiful things like masks and hammocks.  Eat some street food.

Jump off Jorge’s rope swing.  Open 7am-7pm, there’s a rope swing, diving platform, hammocks, nachos and beer. $4 roundtrip boat ride from town, $1.50 entry.

Go to Ixpanpajul Nature Park to zipline, cross high suspension bridges, and ride horseback.  $25-$50

Chill out by Lake Peten Itza, and enjoy good weather and cheap cost of living.  The lake isn’t as visually stunning as Lake Atitlan, but it does have warmer water.  End the day with a Gallo sunset beer on a hostel roof.

What to Do in Flores Guatemala – My Experience:

My road trip to visiting Tikal began across the border in San Ignacio, Belize.  I got on a tour van, and within minutes reached the border.  The crossing was a piece of cake, the passport people even smiled!   People all have livestock in Guatemala, so the van is constantly swerving to avoid pigs, cows, horses, chickens, dogs, goats, sheep, and children. The driver told us that there is no auto insurance in Guatemala. If you hit anything you pay for it on the spot. Hit someone’s horse, you have to pay for the value of the horse then and there, or you go to jail, until someone comes up with the money.  If you hit someone’s kid…you better run.  Yet we never braked to avoid animals, just swerved and hoped for the best. I’ve never seen so many domesticated animals running wild before.

Also, we changed vehicles and drivers three times, to avoid bringing a van across the border. By the time I got to Tikal it was some guy I just met saying, “Hi Sam, I’ll be your guide, and then Hernando will drive you to Melchor e Mencos, then Francisco will be waiting for you, then he’ll take to the border, and after you cross Jose will be there with the van.” And I’m thinking “Wait, what?, which guy was Jose?” But it all worked out like clockwork.

Tikal is an awesome sight. The temples are enormous, very well-preserved, and you can climb to the top of two of them. The Maya had more advanced cities than anything in Europe as of 900AD. It’s crazy that people lived better 1100 years ago here than they do now.  Guatemala seems OK, not dangerous or noticeably poorer than Mexico or Belize.   I was with four other Americans in my tour group, two couples from California, and we had a fun trip.  At the end of the tour we bought beers and carried them up the highest Mayan temple and drank Belikin with an outstanding view over the jungle.

What to Do in Flores Guatemala – Travel Tips You Need to Know Before You Go:

Backpacker Daily Budget: 

$30.  Hostels are as cheap as $7, inexpensive street food can run you $9 for three meals, and three beers costs $4.  No need for public transport to get around Flores.  Getting to/from and into Tikal for one day costs $30, which I’ve averaged out over three days for a total backpacker budget of $30.

Cheap Beer index:

$1.30 (10 GTQ) for a 12 ounce bottle of Gallo in a bar or restaurant.

What to Do in Flores Guatemala – Best Time of year to Visit:

Any time is a good time to visit Tikal.  It stays warm all year round with the average high ranging from 82 to 89.  The only big change is the rainy season.  The best time to go is in the dry season in February, March, and April.  But even in the rainiest months of June, September, and October, you can still enjoy your visit.

What languages are spoken in Guatemala?  

93% speak Spanish.  Indigenous people speak one of 23 local languages, as well as Spanish, and possibly other indigenous languages.  Folks in the tourism industry will speak at least passable English.

Do you need a Guatemala visa?  

Visas are NOT required for nationals of USA, UK, AUS, and CAN.  You can stay for 90 days visa-free.

What to Do in Flores Guatemala – How to Get to Flores:   

There are only two Tikal Hotels.  Unless you stay in the expensive Jaguar Inn (~$150) or Jungle Lodge Tikal(~$170) , you’ll be staying in small island town of Flores, a 90 minute bus ride from Tikal.  Your biggest decision is which airport are you going to fly into; Flores, Belize City, or Guatemala City?  Check out how to fly to Flores for free on my page:  Nine Steps to Free Flights Worldwide.

Tikal Flights:

The closest airport for Tikal flights is Mundo Maya International Airport in Flores (FRS).  It has only three airlines serving only two destinations; LADE and Avianca Guatemala fly from Guatemala City starting at $169 round trip, and Tropic Air flies from Belize City for around $400 round trip.  $169 to avoid two full 9 hour days on the bus from Guatemala City might well be worth it.  The fare from Belize City seems ludicrous, when it is just a 4 hour drive away.

Belize City – Phillip S W Goldson International Airport (BZE) is a 4 hour bus ride (including the border crossing) east.   If you are coming from here you have three main options to get to Flores:

• The Chicken Bus.  Or camioneta in Spanish, which is a recycled US school bus.  Some are brightly and elaborately decorated.  Some have not been touched since purchase and still have “Springfield Middle School” written on the side.  These stop for any passenger flagging them down, and stop wherever people want to get off.  You may have an actual chicken or goat as your seatmate.  You’ll have to take one to San Ignacio, then another to the border.  Once at the border you may find a collectivo that will take you less than two hours to arrive at Tikal and will cost no more than 100 GTQ.
• A Tour.  There are tour companies that will take you all the way and back on a guided tour.
• Airplane.  45 minute flight.  Likely only one daily departure.  Starting at $400 round trip.  Check Momondo.com for prices.

Guatemala City – La Aurora International Airport (GUA) is an 9 hour bus ride to the south.  If you are coming from here you have three main options to get to Flores:

• The Chicken Bus.  This option will literally take you days.  You’ll have to change buses multiple times.  They go very slowly and stop everywhere.  It might not even save you any money in the end.  Only do this if you really want an adventure, and time is no object.  Categorize it under “road trips from hell”.
• Luxury Overnight Tourist Bus.  This will take 9-10 hours.  Departs around 9pm, arriving at 7am.  Tickets are about 220GTQ or $29.  Three companies going this way are FDN- Fuente del Norte, ADN: Autobuses del Norte, and Linea Dorada.  Be sure to buy the ticket directly from the company, preferably online.  Scams abound with middle-men putting you on lower quality buses.
• Airplane. 1 hour flight.  Several departure times.  Starting at $123 one-way or $169 round trip.  Check Momondo.com for prices.

Tikal Tours:

From Flores, you can get to Tikal on Tikal tour company buses. A return ticket with a guide will usually cost 100 GTQ ($13) or around 70 GTQ ($9) without a guided tour.  Gray Line Tours does a door-to-door full day tour with English speaking guide and lunch for $70.

Guatemalan Currency and how to get it:

Guatemalan Quetzal (7.68 GTQ =$1 as of 2018) are available at numerous ATMs.  Guatemala is largely a cash economy.  For more info on your cash-versus-credit card options when travelling, check out my post on How to Access your Money in Foreign Countries.

Stay Connected:  

There are three telecom operators in Guatemala:

• Tigo has 50% of the nation’s customers. It has the best coverage at the highest prices.  SIM cards are sold for Q50 in their branded and other stores with Q25 credit and 200 MB. You don’t have to subscribe to a plan for data. Recharge vouchers are available at Q10-100 everywhere.
• Claro is the 2nd operator caring for 30% of the mobile users. Its coverage is only slightly less than Tigo’s and their 900 and 1900 MHz frequency is more accessible for devices from overseas. It only has started recently with 4G/LTE on 1900 MHz in Guatemala City.  Their starter pack is sold for Q25 in their branded and other stores with 150 MB, 30 domestic SMS and Q30 credit. When you top up for the 1st time Q10 or more, top-up credit will be quadrupled.  Top-ups are available in many stores and online Q5-200 valid for 1-30 days depending on amount. SIM plan will stay valid for up to 90 days without a top-up.
• Movistar, by Spanish Telefónica, is the close 3^rd provider with almost 20% of the national user’s share. It has the lowest prices in the country, but also a slightly weaker coverage. It has the most aggressive pricing and offers the best roaming rates for Central America.   SIM cards can be obtained at many shops and Movistar branded stores.  The prepaid chip contains Q30 credit, 20 mins to the US and 250 MB data for a start.  Top-ups are at least doubled in value, in promotions on certain days given 3 times, 4 times or even 6 times its face value. This bonus credit can be used for calls, texts and data. Top-ups are made through scratch cards of Q5, Q10, Q15, Q27, Q50 or Q100, electronic recharges at banks, supermarkets and service stations or online through credit cards.  In 2015 Movistar started its “sin fronteras” (= without borders) option for regional roaming in America. You can use data, voice and texts on the Movistar networks of Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama for the domestic Guatemalan rate.
• For more info on your telecom options, check out my post on How to Get Cheap Mobile Phone Service Worldwide.

What to Do in Flores Guatemala – Where to stay:

Budget accommodations can be found in nearby Flores.  Here are the top rated hostels:

Natural Spa Mini Hostel is right in town, with basic dorms and the cheapest rates at just $7 a night. 

Ciao Cacao has basic dorms with fans, a serene garden, and helpful staff, located right in Flores town for $9

Hostal San Miguel is 4 miles out-of-town, right on the lake with a free boat service, with clean rooms, helpful staff, and great views for $12

If you are looking for a quiet relaxing place with air-con, 4 miles out-of-town and right on the lake, Casa de Grethel has free boat rides to town, and dorm beds at $15.

Tikal Hotels:

The only hotels near Tikal National Park are these two expensive options inside:

Jaguar Inn (~$150)

Jungle Lodge Tikal (~$170)

Where to eat in Flores:   

Great cheap eats can be found at:

• Cool Beans Cafe
• Maracuya
• Legumbres Mayas

Flores Nightlife: 

• Skybar
• El Tropico

Get a Guatemala guidebook:

Lonely Planet Guatemala

What to Pack:

Wear light colors and thin material for the heat.  To learn how to pack light and be prepared for anything, check out my post The Worldwide Travel Packing List.

Is Flores safe?  

Tikal is safe.  Flores is safe.  In most of Guatemala….not really.  Somewhat safe if you follow certain rules.  There is violent crime. 

• Avoid Guatemala City completely.
• Do not travel between towns at night via any type of transportation, due to possible armed carjacking.  
• Get local intel before hiking in unknown spots without a guide, as armed robberies of hikers do occur. 
• Never take photos of children without permission. Some Guatemalans will think that you are going to kidnap them for ransom or adoption abroad. 
• Reconsider renting a car.  Agencies are known for trying to charge for existing damage.  Roads are treacherous, with animals and people in the road, whom you will be responsible for if you hit them.

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The post What to Do in Flores Guatemala: Rope Swings, Ziplines and Tikal first appeared on Worldwide Wilbur.