Flores is a small town situated on an island in northern Guatemala. While most tourist itineraries in Guatemala typically conclude here, starting in Guatemala City, Flores is a natural first stop for travelers coming from Belize. The main draw of this charming town is Tikal, widely regarded as the second most famous Maya site after Mexico’s Chichen Itza. For the ambitious, a 5-day trek into the jungle leads to El Mirador, home to the largest pyramid on Earth by volume.
From San Ignacio to Flores
I booked a shuttle scheduled to leave San Ignacio at 2 pm, but it eventually arrived at 3:30 pm. The trip took approximately 4 hours, including about an hour spent at immigration for all passengers. This costed 60 BZD, in addition to the exit fee of 40 BZD which has to be paid at immigration (both cash and card are accepted).
Tikal
Tikal, located in northern Guatemala, was one of the most powerful Maya city-states during the Classic Period (200–900 CE). At its peak, it was home to tens of thousands of people and served as a political, cultural, and economic hub. Its impressive ruins include towering pyramids, grand plazas, and intricate stelae. The site is particularly famous for Temple I (Temple of the Great Jaguar) and Temple IV, the latter offering stunning views over the jungle canopy. Tikal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains a symbol of Maya civilization’s ingenuity and legacy.
Tikal is approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Flores. While it’s possible to visit independently, I highly recommend joining a tour due to the site’s significance and wealth of information. Options include sunrise tours starting at 3 am, day tours departing around 7 am, and sunset tours arriving in the afternoon. Tours typically cost around 100 USD, with sunrise tours being slightly more expensive. The choice is entirely yours!
Flores and Tikal picutre gallery :
