Most travelers who fly into Mundo Maya International Airport have one destination in mind: Tikal. But Flores, the small island town on Lake Petén Itzá that serves as the region's gateway, earns more of your time than most itineraries allow. Within a short drive of the causeway connecting Flores to the mainland, you have access to a second major Maya ruin, a canopy park cut into 1,100 acres of tropical forest, a lake big enough for a full afternoon on the water, and a colonial island compact enough to walk in 20 minutes.
This guide covers what to do in Flores and the surrounding Petén region: the must-see sites, the activities that reward a slower pace, and the day trips that justify keeping a rental car at your disposal. If you're picking up a vehicle at Enterprise Guatemala's Mundo Maya Airport office, this is the planning resource you need before turning onto the causeway.
What Is Flores, and Where Is It?
Flores is a small island town in the department of Petén, in northern Guatemala, connected to the mainland town of Santa Elena by a short causeway. The island itself takes roughly 20 minutes to walk around. Petén is Guatemala's largest department by area, covering most of the northern lowlands, and it contains the country's most significant Maya archaeological sites within a compact driving radius.
The closest major airport is Mundo Maya International Airport (IATA: FRS), located in Santa Elena just across the causeway. Several daily flights connect it to Guatemala City's La Aurora International Airport, with a flight time of about 45 minutes. Driving from Guatemala City to Flores takes 9 to 12 hours via the main highway, which makes flying the standard approach for international travelers on limited time.
Enterprise Guatemala operates a counter at Mundo Maya International Airport, open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, making it practical to pick up a vehicle on arrival and head directly to your first destination.
Things to Do in Flores Town
Walk the island perimeter. The malecon, or waterfront promenade, circles much of Isla de Flores and offers unobstructed views of Lake Petén Itzá at every turn. The colonial architecture is modest but colorful, and the narrow streets are genuinely walkable without the heat of the highlands. The island is best explored on foot, and parking is limited enough that bringing a rental car onto the island is rarely worthwhile.
Watch the sunset from the waterfront. Flores has a well-earned reputation for extraordinary sunsets. The western shore of the island, facing the open lake, is the best vantage point. The sky typically turns shades of deep orange and pink behind the tree line on the far shore. Arrive at least 30 minutes before sundown and claim a spot along the malecon or at one of the lakeside restaurants.
Explore the cathedral and central park. The Catedral de Flores sits at the island's high point and provides a useful landmark for orienting yourself. The surrounding central park is the social hub of the island in the early evening, with local vendors and plenty of benches facing the lake.
Browse local restaurants and cafés. Flores has a stronger food scene than its size suggests, with a mix of Guatemalan comida típica and international menus aimed at the traveler market. The main commercial strip concentrates most options within a few blocks of the central park.
What Are the Best Day Trips from Flores?
The strongest argument for using Flores as a base is the concentration of world-class sites within an hour or two by car.
Tikal National Park
Tikal is the primary reason most visitors come to Petén. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, it is one of the largest and most extensively excavated Maya cities in the Americas, covering more than 575 square kilometers within Tikal National Park. The ceremonial core contains temples, palaces, plazas, and ball courts spanning several centuries of occupation, with Temple I and Temple IV among the most visited structures.
The drive from Flores to the Tikal park entrance is approximately 63 km (39 miles) and takes around 70 to 80 minutes by car. Having your own vehicle means you control your departure time, which matters significantly at Tikal. The site opens daily at 6:00 AM, and arriving early rewards you with cooler temperatures, better wildlife activity, and far fewer people at the main plazas. Independent visitors who drive can also stay until closing at 6:00 PM, rather than being bound to a shuttle schedule.
A full day at Tikal is warranted. The site is large enough that even a focused visit to the main temples, the Grand Plaza, and the Lost World complex takes four to five hours on foot through the jungle.
Yaxhá
Yaxhá is the second-best reason to have a rental car in Petén, and it remains genuinely undervisited compared to Tikal. Located approximately 70 km east of Flores and 30 km southeast of Tikal, it is the third-largest Maya archaeological site in Guatemala. The site contains more than 500 structures, including temples, palaces, and the only twin-pyramid complex outside of Tikal, spread across a hilltop above Lake Yaxhá.
The drive from Flores takes roughly 70 to 90 minutes, partly on unpaved road once you turn off the main Petén highway. An SUV is strongly recommended for the last stretch, particularly during the rainy season (May through October), when the access road can become muddy and rutted. A sedan can manage in the dry season but carries more risk.
What makes Yaxhá worth the effort: the crowds at Tikal are absent here. Sunrise and sunset visits from the top of Pyramid 216 are among the most atmospheric experiences in the region, with the jungle canopy stretching to every horizon and howler monkeys audible from the treetops.
Enterprise Guatemala's fleet includes SUVs suited to the Yaxhá access road. If your itinerary includes both Tikal and Yaxhá, an SUV is the practical choice for the full trip.
Adventures and Activities Near Flores
Ixpanpajul Natural Park
Ixpanpajul Natural Park is located approximately 10 km from Flores, a 15-minute drive from the causeway on the road toward Tikal. The park covers around 450 hectares (1,100 acres) of subtropical rainforest and functions as a wildlife sanctuary and adventure destination.
The two main activities are the hanging bridges skywalk and the Tarzan canopy tour. The skywalk routes visitors across six suspension bridges, each more than 100 meters long, through multiple canopy levels of the forest, ending at the Miramas lookout with panoramic views of Lake Petén Itzá and the surrounding lowlands. The walk takes roughly two hours. The Tarzan canopy tour runs eight zip-line platforms through the forest canopy and lasts approximately two hours as well.
The park is also home to over 200 tree species, 150 bird species, and around 40 mammal species including spider and howler monkeys. Wildlife sightings are most likely in the early morning and late afternoon.
Full pricing and booking information is available directly at ixpanpajul.com. On-site parking is available if you're driving from Flores.
Lake Petén Itzá: Boating, Swimming, and Rope Swings
The lake itself is a legitimate activity hub. Lanchas, the small motorboats that serve as the region's water taxis, can be hired from the Flores waterfront for private tours covering the lake's landmarks, islands, and swimming spots. Negotiate a price and route before boarding; rates are not fixed for private charters.
On the San Miguel peninsula, across the lake from Flores, a lakeside gathering spot known as Jorge's Rope Swing has become one of the region's most reliably recommended stops. Rope swings, diving platforms, and hammocks occupy a stretch of the lakeshore, and the water on this side of the lake is notably cleaner for swimming than near the island. Getting there requires a short boat ride from the Flores malecon.
What You Should Know About Driving in Petén
Petén's road network is functional but demands a different approach than Guatemala City or the western highlands. A few realities to plan around:
- Primary roads are paved but variable. The main CA-13 highway connecting Santa Elena to the Tikal turnoff is paved and in generally reasonable condition, though it can develop potholes during and after the rainy season. PROVIAL, Guatemala's highway assistance agency, patrols major routes.
- Secondary roads are often unpaved. The access roads to Yaxhá, El Remate, and other sites branch off the main highway onto gravel or dirt. Conditions vary by season and rainfall.
- Fuel stations are available in Santa Elena and along the main highway but thin out significantly beyond the Tikal junction. Fill up before heading off the main road.
- No electronic toll system. Enterprise Guatemala's vehicles do not include automatic toll-payment devices. Any tolls on Guatemalan roads are paid in cash by the driver. On typical Flores-area routes, tolls are not a major factor, but carry small bills in quetzales.
- Drive times are longer than GPS estimates suggest. Road surfaces and livestock crossings add time. Build in buffer on day trips to sites like Yaxhá.
For emergency situations, ASISTUR (Guatemala's tourist assistance program) is reachable at 1500 from any Guatemalan phone General emergencies: dial 110.
If you experience a problem with your Enterprise Guatemala rental in Petén, the Mundo Maya Airport office is your primary contact: reach the team by phone, or contact us here.
Is an SUV or a Sedan Better for the Flores Region?
For travelers staying in Flores and making day trips exclusively to Tikal, a sedan handles the paved highway without difficulty. The Tikal park entrance road is manageable in a standard car during the dry season.
An SUV becomes the better choice if:
- Your itinerary includes Yaxhá, El Mirador staging areas, or any off-highway site
- You're traveling during the rainy season (May through October)
- You have luggage for multiple people and want storage space for day trip gear
The Enterprise Protection Package (EPP), which adds tire and windshield coverage and reduces your deductible exposure, is worth considering for extended travel in Petén given the road variability.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Flores and Petén?
Two to three days covers the core itinerary comfortably:
- Day 1: Arrive at Mundo Maya, pick up your rental at Enterprise Guatemala, and settle into Flores. Afternoon walk around the island, sunset from the malecon.
- Day 2: Early departure for Tikal. Arrive at the park by 6:30 to 7:00 AM, spend the full morning at the ruins, return to Flores by mid-afternoon.
- Day 3: Morning at Ixpanpajul Natural Park, afternoon on the lake or at Jorge's Rope Swing. Depart that evening or the following morning.
Adding a fourth day opens up Yaxhá, which deserves its own half-day minimum. A sunset visit to Yaxhá, timed to arrive at the site around 3:00 PM and climb Pyramid 216 before the light fades, is consistently rated among the best experiences in the region.
For the full range of what Petén offers, including the remote El Mirador site (which requires multi-day jungle treks), five or more days is the realistic minimum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pick up a rental car directly at Mundo Maya Airport in Flores?
Yes. Enterprise Guatemala operates a counter at Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS) on the first floor, at the exit from international arrivals. The office is open Monday through Sunday, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. You can start a reservation or contact the team for further questions and concerns.
Is it worth driving to Tikal rather than taking a shuttle?
For two or more travelers, driving is often more economical once per-person shuttle costs are compared against the rental rate. More importantly, driving gives you control over departure time: arriving at Tikal before 7:00 AM puts you in the ruins before the tour groups arrive and before the midday heat makes long walks uncomfortable.
What is the best time of year to visit Flores and Petén?
The dry season runs from November through April, with January through March offering the most consistently clear conditions. The rainy season (May through October) brings daily afternoon showers and significantly wetter access roads to off-highway sites. Tikal itself is accessible year-round, but some secondary sites become difficult in the height of the wet season without a capable SUV.
Is it safe to drive in Petén?
The main highway between Santa Elena and Tikal is heavily traveled and patrolled by PROVIAL. Standard precautions apply: avoid driving after dark on unfamiliar roads, do not stop for unsolicited assistance, and keep valuables out of sight. ASISTUR is reachable at 1500 from any Guatemalan phone for tourist assistance around the clock.
Can I visit both Tikal and Yaxhá in one day?
It is possible but not recommended. Both sites deserve four to five hours of genuine attention. A rushed day covering both means neither gets its due. If time is the constraint, prioritize Tikal on one day and dedicate the following afternoon to a sunset visit to Yaxhá.
