Is Flores Guatemala Worth Visiting? 2023 Review
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Researching whether or not Flores Guatemala is worth it? I’ve been there! I wondered whether the tip to Flores and then outwards to Tikal was worth it, as the truth is, Flores is pretty out of the way.
So I’m here to explain just why I say yes to ‘is Flores worth visiting’, and why it should be part of any backpacker Guatemalan itinerary. Let’s get started!
Did you know I have a whole post dedicated to helping you backpack Guatemala? From routes, itineraries, what to do, where to eat, what not to miss and everything in between! It’s a one-stop backpacking Guatemala guide – don’t forget to check it out!
Other Flores Guatemala posts you might like:
- BEST Hostels In Flores Guatemala For Backpackers
- Is Flores Guatemala Safe? Solo Female Travellers Advice
- Flores To Tikal: EVERYTHING You Need To Know
- Is Tikal Worth Visiting? COMPLETE Tikal Guide
- How To Get From Flores To Semuc Champey
Is Flores Guatemala Worth Visiting? A Summary
Flores Island in Guatemala is worth visiting for one or two nights, especially if you want to visit Tikal, the ancient Mayan ruins. In my opinion, Tikal is one of the best day trips and experiences whilst visiting Guatemala, so Flores is worth it.
However, if you are not interested in visiting Tikal, Flores may not be worth visiting. But this depends on the type of person you are and what your travel style is.
Flores is a small island in Guatemala, around 2 hours from the ancient ruins of Tikal. It’s full of small local shops, cafes, restaurants and bars, and has a good nightlife scene. Many backpackers use their time in Flores to party and visit Tikal.
Whilst we were in Flores, we had a few relaxing says exploring the island, eating good food, and of course, visiting Tikal. As the island is so small, I recommend only booking 2 nights; as this gives you one day to explore the island and one day to visit Tikal.
What to do in Flores Guatemala
As previously mentioned, Flores is quite a small island, so there isn’t a whole lot to do. Some of the best things to do in Flores include:
- Visiting the ancient ruins of Tikal (you’ll need a full day for this)
- Taking a lancha to the museum (Museo Santa Barbara)
- Jumping off Jorge’s rope swing
- Going shopping at Centro Comercial Paseo de las Flores
- Drinking cocktails and watching the sunset at the Sky Bar
- Having dinner at Mangos bar
- Walking around the butterfly sanctuary at Maracuyá Cafe
- Eating breakfast at Cool Beans
- Browse the small local shops on the island
- Take a tuk-tuk to the mainland to explore
Where to stay in Flores Guatemala
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 of 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, or check out my detailed Flores hostel guide here.
Related post: Free Cerveze Hostel Review | Best time to visit Guatemala
Flores Guatemala FAQs
1) 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. In my opinion, 2 nights are enough in Flores, Guatemala. 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.
➡ Is Flores safe for solo female backpackers? Check out my advice and tips for visiting Flores Guatemala here.
2) Is Flores Guatemala safe?
In summary, we found Flores Guatemala to be exceptionally safe. Things have changed for Guatemala in the past few years, and places that were deemed to be ‘dangerous’ not so long ago, are now safe for tourists and backpackers.
The main area of Flores (and the part where you are most likely to stay) is on a small island. This island is tiny; and can be walked around within 20 minutes. There are busy and well-lit parts of Flores, as well as some quieter backstreets.
Stick to the main parts of Flores; especially the outer main road which is close to the water’s edge. This is where most of the bars and restaurants are. You can walk through the middle of the island (we did many times, and never felt unsafe), but some of the roads are just a little bit quieter.
However, if you are backpacking Guatemala as a solo female traveller and want to visit Flores, it is a safe area. It’s fun, vibrant, and welcoming and has some amazing food options. Flores is also the gateway to Tikal, one of the most well-preserved ancient ruins in all of Central America.
➡ Check out my complete guide to staying safe in Flores Guatemala here.
3) Is Flores Guatemala safe at night?
Throughout our time staying in Flores Guatemala, we felt safe walking around at night. If we needed to travel away from the island and onto the mainland, we would take a tuk-tuk (but this was rare).
If you’re worried, stick to the main outer road that circles the island and is closest to the water. This is where the majority of restaurants and bars are, and the busiest areas. Of course, walking around anywhere at night is a bit more daunting than during the day. Be aware of your surroundings, use common sense and you will be ok.
➡ Check out my complete guide to staying safe in Flores Guatemala here.
4) Are there ATMs in Flores Guatemala?
Yes, there are ATMs and cashpoints in Flores. There is a lot of outdated information on the Internet, but you can withdraw cash on the island. Two of the best spots include the Marlin Espadas building (click here to see) and the convenience store opposite the tattoo shop on Calle 30 de Junio (click here to see).
Related post: Free Cerveze Hostel Review | Flores to Tikal Guide
5) Are the Tikal Ruins worth it?
Yes, visiting the Tikal Ruins is worth it! It was one of our favourite days whilst backpacking in Guatemala. Even if you aren’t a huge history fan, wandering around the jungle and spotting wild animals, learning about the Mayan way of life and watching the sunset/sunrise from the top of a temple that dates back to the 6th Century BC is pretty impressive!
➡ Check out my complete guide to visiting Tikal here.
6) Where should I go after Flores?
The most popular option for backpackers after Flores is either travelling to:
- Semuc Champey; if you are travelling south through Central America
- San Ignacio (Belize); if you are travelling north through Central America
Visiting these locations? The following blog posts might help you!
- How To Get From San Ignacio To Flores: Backpacker Guide
- How To Get From Flores To Semuc Champey
- Backpacking San Ignacio: COMPLETE Guide!
- Is Semuc Champey Worth It? A COMPLETE Guide
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!
Is Flores Guatemala Worth Visiting?: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about whether or not Flores is worth visiting whilst backpacking Guatemala.
When you’re planning a trip to Guatemala, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m backpacking Central America with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Guatemala 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 Guatemala posts:
- BEST Hostels In Flores Guatemala For Backpackers
- Is Flores Guatemala Safe? Solo Female Travellers Advice
- Flores To Tikal: EVERYTHING You Need To Know
- Is Semuc Champey Worth It? A COMPLETE Guide
- Flores to Belize City: Complete Step-By-Step 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).
