How To Get From San Ignacio To Flores: Backpacker Guide 2023
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Looking for the best ways to get from San Ignacio to Flores? As this route involves a land crossing (from Belize to Guatemala), it’s a little different to a normal journey in Central America. However, it’s still relatively easy and straightforward!
NOTE: This guide also works in reverse – from Flores to San Ignacio.
If you have been backpacking Belize, Guatemala is likely to be your next stop (or Caye Caulker, if you haven’t been there yet!)
The first place in Guatemala that you are likely to visit after Belize is Flores. Flores is a small island in the north of Guatemala and is known for its easy access to the ancient Mayan Ruins of Tikal, cobbled streets and friendly atmosphere.
Most backpackers stay in Flores for 2 nights before heading south to Lanquin (for Semuc Champey, more on that coming soon!)
Or, if you’re travelling in reverse, and coming from Flores to San Ignacio, you may be starting your adventures in Belize. San Ignacio was one of our favourite places in Belize, and you can find out more about visiting in my complete San Ignacio travel guide here!
So, how do you travel from San Ignacio to Flores? In this post, I explain the best ways to travel between the two locations in Belize. Let’s get started!
Other Belize posts:
- Backpacking San Ignacio: COMPLETE Guide!
- Backpacking Caye Caulker: Everything You Need To Know
- Snorkeling in Caye Caulker: BEST Company
San Ignacio to Flores: A Summary
In summary, there are three ways to get from San Ignacio to Flores (or in reverse, Flores to San Ignacio).
These options are:
- Shuttle bus
- Public bus and taxi
- Taxi, land crossing, taxi
If you’re backpacking Belize, the most common, safest and easiest way to travel between San Ignacio and Flores is by shuttle. The shuttles hold around 12 people and it is full of other backpackers.
They’re slightly more expensive than the public bus, but involve a lot less hassle and drop you off directly at your hostel or accommodation. Plus they’re safe, easy and reliable!
1. Shuttle from San Ignacio to Flores
The easiest way to travel from San Ignacio to Flores is by shuttle. This will be full of other backpackers, doing the exact same route as you.
NOTE: I have an Instagram reel showing this exact journey, which you can view here!
Your shuttle will pick you up from your hostel in town, and drop you off on Flores Island (although they will make a brief stop on the mainland if you are staying there).
The journey from San Ignacio to Flores bus shuttle takes under 3 hours (including all immigration checks and passport control). It departs San Ignacio daily at 2.30pm (but this may change) and arrives in Flores by 5.30pm.
The shuttle costs £15 ($20) per person, plus 40 BZ ($20 USD) per person at the border for the Belize departure tax. This can be paid in either Belizean dollars, US dollars or on card.
If you need a reputable company to use and you’re already IN Flores, I highly recommend Mayan Adventures. We used them all over Belize and into Guatemala, and they were reliable and reputable.
🦉 TOP TIP: I only recommend using Mayan Adventures if you are IN Belize/Guatemala whilst reading this blog post. If you would like to pre-book online beforehand, I recommend one of the following shuttle companies:
They’re often the same shuttle buses anyway, and using a third-party website gives you a little more insurance than emailing a random person and confirming a shuttle online!
⮕ Prefer booking online? You can pre-book a private shuttle from San Ignacio to Flores here!
2. Public bus and taxi/tuk tuk
If you’re on an even tighter backpacker budget, you can get the public bus from San Ignacio to Flores.
You will need to board the public bus from the main centre of San Ignacio, disembark at the Guatemalan border to go through immigration, and then board another public bus from there.
Get ready to use a bit of Spanish, as you will need to communicate where you are going to the bus driver. Most public buses in Belize and Guatemala have a sign at the front of the bus stating where they are going.
When you arrive in Flores on the public bus, you will not be dropped on the island. This means you will need to get a taxi or tuk tuk from where you were dropped off onto the island (if your hostel is there, which it is likely to be).
⮕ Prefer booking online? You can pre-book a private shuttle from San Ignacio to Flores here!
What is the best way to get around Belize?
The main ways to get around Belize include by car, shuttle or public bus (and hitchhiking if you’re the adventurous type). If you are backpacking Belize for a while, it might be worth hiring a car. We drove all over Belize and found it to be safe, easy and the roads were well-built.
However, when travelling from place to place (such as Caye Caulker to San Ignacio), we used shuttles.
These shuttles are full of other backpackers and are safe and easy to use. The shuttle will pick you up from your hostel and drop you off at your destination (either again at your hostel, or at a main central point).
Public buses in Belize aren’t uncommon and can be used if you’re on a tight budget. Hitchhiking is also a popular backpacking mode of transport, although we never tried it ourselves!
How to get from Belize City to Flores?
If you would like to travel from Belize City to Flores, I recommend booking a shuttle. It will be the same shuttle that travels from San Ignacio to Flores.
The shuttle between Belize City and Flores will take around 6 hours. This includes the land border and passport control.
➡ You can book your shuttle bus here.
How much is a taxi from Belize City to San Ignacio?
Taxis from Belize City to San Ignacio will be over $120 USD per vehicle due to the long journey time. Belize does not have Uber or Lyft in 2023.
How long is the bus ride from Belize City to San Ignacio?
The journey between Belize City and San Ignacio is around 2 and a half hours on a public bus, and 2 hours on a shuttle bus.
How long is the bus ride from Belize City to Flores?
The shuttle between Belize City and Flores will take around 6 hours. This includes the land border and passport control.
How do you get to Flores Island Guatemala?
This depends on where you are coming from. If you are travelling from Belize, the most popular option would be to take a shuttle bus. Flores is around 1.5 hours from the border of Belize and Guatemala.
Is there a public bus from Flores to Belize City?
Not a direct bus, but you will be able to get a series of public buses from Flores to Belize City. Any bus or shuttle that crosses two countries requires a change in vehicle due to immigration and border control.
Is San Ignacio worth a visit?
Yes! San Ignacio is absolutely worth visiting if you are backpacking Belize. It’s a small town near the Guatemalan border, so it makes for the perfect 3-4 day adventure stop-off.
Expect dense green jungle, ancient Mayan ruins, cave systems, natural swimming holes, an abundance of wildlife, being surrounded by mountains and of course, welcoming and friendly locals (Belize has some of the friendliest people we have ever met!)
If you’re staying for a few nights, there are plenty of day trips from San Ignacio, including the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, the Hummingbird Highway, the Caracol Ruins and Xunantunich. San Ignacio is a great base to have in Belize to explore the rest of the country!
Where to stay in San Ignacio as a backpacker
There are a few hostels which backpackers tend to stay in and prefer. These are great as you can book your shuttle, tours and transport to Flores, Guatemala through them.
San Ignacio is a small town which can be walked around on foot. All of the main hostels are in the town centre. We heard good things about all of the hostels I’ve recommended below, but make sure to do your own research too and check out the latest Hostelworld reviews (as things in hostels can change quickly!)
My biggest piece of advice is to book hostels in advance. We sadly missed out on some of the best hostels in Central America as they fill up quickly – so get booking!
- Old House Hostel (9.6, superb): This is the hostel most backpackers stay in when visiting San Ignacio. It’s right in the centre of town, has a good social scene and has exceptionally low prices. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL HERE!
- Yellow Belly Backpackers (9.4, superb): Another hostel that we had friends stay in whilst in San Ignacio. A great social vibe for solo travellers, easy access to town (although a little further out than Old House), and is right next to the Cahal Pech Mayan ruins. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL HERE!
- Bella’s Backpackers (8.2, fabulous): Another hostel situated in the middle of San Ignacio town which has mixed reviews, but is a great option if you’re on a budget. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL HERE!
Fancy something different? We stayed in a cabin just on the outskirts of San Ignacio, and it was absolute paradise. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re solo, but if you’re backpacking with your partner, it’s a great option to experience some of the San Ignacio countryside! ⮕ BOOK A CABIN IN THE SAN IGNACIO JUNGLE HERE!
Where to stay in Flores as a backpacker
If you’re visiting Flores for the first time, I recommend you stay on the island rather than the mainland to get the full experience.
Flores Island in Guatemala is exceptionally small. That means all of the accommodations, hostels and hotels are within walking distance to each other.
Again, my biggest piece of advice is to book hostels in advance. We missed out on so many of the best hostels in Central America as they fill up so quickly – get booking!
- Los Amigos Hostel: This is by far the most popular hostel in Flores, but also the most expensive! A dorm will cost over £20 a night, and a private room up to £120. When we were staying in Flores, there was no availability even 4 weeks in advance, so make sure you book early! ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL NOW!
- Hotel Peten Express Tikal: Another popular hostel in Flores with a good location on the water. It has a calmer atmosphere than Los Amigos. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL NOW!
⮕ View all other Hostelworld hostels in Flores here.
How many days should I spend in San Ignacio?
If you have the time and budget, I recommend at least 3-4 days in San Ignacio. There is a lot to do here, including the ATM Caves, Mayan Ruins, Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, San Ignacio town and more. We spent 7 days in San Ignacio and still didn’t have the time to do everything!
How many days should I spend in Flores, Guatemala?
The biggest activity to do in Flores is Tikal (Mayan ancient ruins), which requires at least one full day. The other day you can explore the island, head over to the rope swing, enjoy a cocktail at Sky Bar and relax.
There isn’t too much to do in Flores apart from Tikal, so you don’t need much time there.
Related posts: Antigua to Leon | 3 Days in Antigua | 2 Weeks in Guatemala
Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America
If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.
Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.
I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.
If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.
With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)
Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!
If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!
How To Get From San Ignacio to Flores: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about how to get from San Ignacio to Flores.
When you’re planning a trip to Belize, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently backpacking Belize with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Belize content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
Other Belize posts:
- Backpacking San Ignacio: COMPLETE Guide!
- Backpacking Caye Caulker: Everything You Need To Know
- Where To See Stingrays in Caye Caulker: Complete Guide
- Caye Caulker To San Ignacio: Backpacker Guide
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
