Flores, Guatemala: an island town on the lake
The historic part of Flores sits on an island in Lake Petén Itzá. A causeway joins it to Santa Elena on the mainland. Flores, the wider municipality and the airport area are not the same place, which matters when you read directions. Flores is the usual base for Tikal because the road to the park starts close by.
Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS) is in the Santa Elena district. It is not on the island and not at the ruins. From Flores to Tikal it is 63 km, about 1 hour by road.
Our picks: around Flores
A fishing trip on the lake with a fish meal, or a day to the Blue Crater and natural pools with lunch and entry.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Fishing trip on Lake Petén Itzá with a fish meal
- Fishing trip on the lake
- Fishing gear and bait
- Fish meal with a drink
Two and a half hours on the lake with a local captain and simple gear, then a fish lunch or dinner with one drink.
Check availability →
Blue Crater, Imox lagoon and natural pools
- Boat ride and pool transfers
- All entry fees
- Lunch and snorkel masks
A day trip with a 45-minute boat ride from Arroyo Pucté, all entry fees, lunch, snorkel masks and life jackets.
Check availability →Tikal tours and day trips from Flores
Guided Tikal tours, sunrise trips and combinations, with live prices and availability.
Day trips from Flores compared
Examples for 2026. Each row is one operator's product, so check your date.
| Trip | Start | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle only | 06:00, 07:45, 10:00 or 12:00 | About 1 hour each way, return at 15:15 | $15 one way, $20 round trip |
| Basic tour with transport and guide | – | 8 hours 30 minutes | $25, park ticket not automatically included |
| Shared tour with bilingual guide | 04:30, 06:00, 08:00 or 10:00 | Back around 12:00, 13:00, 15:00 or 17:00 | $66 per person, entry and food not included |
| Sunrise tour | 03:00 | 9 hours | $85 |
| Tikal and Yaxhá, private | – | – | $250 |
The shuttle needs a reservation 48 hours ahead and meets at the "I love Peten" sign at the island entrance. For most visitors who want a guide, a guided half-day or full-day tour is the simplest choice. Take the shuttle only if you plan to explore alone. Full details are on the Tikal tours page.
Lake Petén Itzá
The island sits in the lake, and the waterfront promenade is the place for the evening. Boat and lake activities are offered from the island. Agree on the length and the price with the provider before you board.
The northern shore near El Remate has a protected area, Cerro Cahuí, with viewpoints over the water. It is 32 km from the island plus 2 km from the local turnoff to the entrance. That is a distance to the reserve, not a measure of how far each hotel is from Tikal.
Things to do in Flores, Guatemala
Besides Tikal, the island is a base for other ruins.
Walk the island
The historic center is on the island and can be explored on foot. Finish with a walk along the lake at the end of the day.
Yaxhá
Yaxhá is 62 km from Flores on the CA-13 to La Máquina, then 11 km on an unpaved road, about 1 hour 15 minutes in total. A trip there needs a local guide for certain visits.
Yaxhá guide →Ceibal
Ceibal is near Sayaxché on the Río La Pasión. It takes about 2 hours by car from Flores, or about 1 hour by boat from Sayaxché. It opens daily from 07:00 to 17:00.
More Maya ruins →El Mirador
The trek to El Mirador and La Danta starts with a pickup in Flores before dawn. It runs 5 days with an authorized local guide.
El Mirador guide →Getting to Flores and where to sleep
Practical points before you arrive.
Most travelers fly in from Guatemala City. The flight takes about 1 hour, and the options by plane and bus are on the page for Tikal from Guatemala City. The road, the airport shuttle and the park checkpoint are covered in how to get to Tikal.
For beds, you choose between the island, El Remate on the road to the park and lodges inside the park. Each has its own trade-off between convenience and the early start. See where to stay near Tikal.
Flores, Guatemala: frequently asked questions
How far is Flores from Tikal?
63 km by road, about 1 hour. The route follows CA-13 toward Melchor de Mencos, turns left at Ixlú toward El Remate and continues to the park.
Is Flores an island?
The historic part is. It lies in Lake Petén Itzá and a causeway joins it to Santa Elena on the mainland.
Where is the airport for Flores?
Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS) is in the Santa Elena district, not on the island and not at Tikal.
Can I swim in Lake Petén Itzá?
Ask your hotel or boat operator about the current conditions at the spot you plan to use. Park rules at Yaxhá, which ban swimming in park waters, do not apply to the lake.
Is one night in Flores enough?
One night works for a Tikal day. Add a second night if you also want Yaxhá or an early start for sunrise.