Backpacker's Blueprint
For The Intelligent Explorer
FLORES EXPLORERS GUIDE
Floating on Lake Petén Itzá, Flores is a gateway to ancient Maya mystery; colourful streets by day, starry lakeside nights, and ruins just beyond the horizon.
Quick Travel Tips
Flores, Guatemala
Recommended Time
3 Days
Top Hostel
(Check Price Below)
Must See Sites
Tikal
Jorges Rope Swing
Top Hotel
(Check Price Below)
Travel Tip
Sunrise Tikal can be hit and miss with fog, Sunset give the weather the best chance to lift
Top Excursions
(Check Price Below)
Tikal Sunrise Tour
Sunset Boat Ride
Backpacking Flores, Guatemala: The Laid-Back Launchpad to Tikal & Beyond
Flores, Guatemala
Tucked into the calm waters of Lake Petén Itzá, the island town of Flores is a dreamy slice of the Guatemalan north; pastel-coloured buildings, cobbled streets, and sunsets that look too good to be real.
But Flores is more than a chill lakeside town. It’s your gateway to Tikal, a hub for jungle adventures, and one of the most atmospheric stops on the backpacker trail.
Where is Flores?
Flores is in Petén, northern Guatemala; close to the Belize border. The actual island of Flores is connected to the mainland town of Santa Elena by a short causeway.
Fun fact: The island itself was one of the last Maya strongholds, only falling to the Spanish in 1697.
Getting There
✈️ Fly: Easy 1-hour flight from Guatemala City.
🚌 Shuttle: 8–10 hours from Antigua, Lanquin, or Rio Dulce.
🚐 Border cross: Coming from Belize (San Ignacio), Flores is your next stop.
Around Flores: Hidden Gems
El Mirador del Rey Canek – Local hike with lake views
Jorge’s Rope Swing – Chill lake hangout with diving spots
Ixpanpajul Nature Park – Zip-lining & canopy bridges 20 mins away
History Hit
Before it was called Flores, this island was Nojpetén, the capital of the Itza Maya kingdom. They held out for almost 200 years after the Spanish conquest of the highlands. When the Spanish finally arrived in 1697, they attacked by boat with cannons; the Maya city was destroyed, and Flores was built over its ruins.
That means: You’re walking the same stones where the last kings of the Maya once ruled.
What to Eat
Desayuno Chapín - A proper Guatemalan breakfast: eggs, beans, plantain, cheese
Tostadas & ceviche - From the lakeside stalls
Smoothie bowls & veggie eats - At Cool Beans or Maracuya
Good to Know
Bring mosquito spray (especially around the lake)
ATMs can be patchy; take out cash in advance
Flores is very safe, but watch your belongings on the public docks
Flores is the kind of place where time slows down. It’s a backpacker haven, a cultural hotspot, and the jump-off to one of the most epic archaeological sites in the Americas.
Come for Tikal, stay for the sunsets, the lake swims, the hammock hangs, and the soulful calm that makes Flores unforgettable.
Blueprint Video
Discover more of Flores
Explore the Map
Discover More of Guatemala
Join the Journey
Join the email list and get weekly travel and architecture inspiration
The Blueprint Blog
Thanks for Visiting
I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a simple way to support Backpacker's Blueprint and helps me keep bringing you awesome travel content. Thanks for the support! 🙌
✍️ Want to Write for Backpackers Blueprint? Are you a fellow traveller with a story to share? Passionate about architecture, how to explore it, how to read it, or cultural deep dives? We’d love to feature your work! Drop me a message and let’s chat!
☕ Support me on Buy Me a Coffee if you’ve found the content helpful or inspiring, consider buying me a coffee! Every little bit helps keep me on the road, creating more in-depth travel guides and sharing my adventures with you.
See you on the road.
Architect Jack