Searching for Truth in the Heart of the Mayan Civilization (Flores, Guatemala)
Lately, I’ve been hearing about the dangers of traveling to Latin American countries. This has sparked my curiosity to discover whether these countries are safe to visit or if that’s what the U.S. media wants people to believe.
Having recently traveled to Costa Rica and experiencing nothing less than a fantastic time, I decided to investigate this notion further.
I began by Google-searching “Guatemala” and learning about its impressive Mayan Ruins, breathtaking nature, majestic colonial city, and gigantic lake surrounded by indigenous villages.
Soon after, I booked flight tickets to visit during the dry season to avoid potentially dealing with excessive rain and flooding.
Finally, when the day came, I flew to Guatemala, not knowing that life was about to bless me with unforgettable exploration, inspiration, and friendships.
Plan
Since Guatemala has some of its most popular sights scattered throughout, I flew to one end of the country first and then rode a shuttle bus down south, from where I would fly back home.
Isla de Flores
When researching Guatemala, I found that most travelers considered Flores “The place to explore Tikal from.” And, to be honest, that’s how I thought of it at first. My experience here, however, was much more than just a hub.
I stayed in Isla de Flores, a spectacular and intimate island that brings locals and travelers together to enjoy its beauty. The island is approximately 10 minutes from the airport by taxi or tuk-tuk, and takes about 20 minutes to walk around.
Interestingly, end streets are flooded, making the island more fun, as the roads naturally lead straight into the lake.
Tikal National Park
Tikal National Park, known for its majestic Mayan ruins, is most likely the main reason most people come to Flores. The park offers continuous tours from Flores throughout the day. I booked my tickets from a tourism office on the island to get better pricing, and chose the 3:00 a.m. tour to experience the sunrise from an ancient pyramid.
This early morning tour sounded fantastic until I woke up after 2-3 hours of sleep. The night before, I had been having a great time at a rooftop bar called Skybar, so returning to the hotel early felt impossible to accomplish. Either I was going to feel like I missed out on a great night, or feel like crap the next morning. Of course, I chose to feel like crap the next morning…
After a few hours of sleep, I woke up and walked 10 minutes to meet with the group at the pickup location. We were transported to the park by a shuttle bus for approximately 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, the guide had our tour group walk through the jungle in the dark for approximately 20 minutes, making it a fun and thrilling experience.
We then had to climb a pyramid and sit on the top temple stairs, waiting for a panoramic sunrise from above the trees. Unfortunately, we had a cloudy morning and weren’t greeted with morning sunshine; however, we were still greeted with exotic bird chirping and dramatic Jurassic Park dinosaur-like noises from howling monkeys.
Afterwards, the guide took us to different ruin sites and allowed us to explore the park for about an hour. I climbed several pyramids and took pictures and videos.
Walking through the park aroused a sense of mysticism and admiration for the impressive pyramids. They reminded me of how ancient civilizations created astonishing feats without modern technology. It made me wonder if in 2000 years, people will look at our current lives in the same way. Anyway, the tallest pyramid, Temple IV, is enormous, measuring 70 meters high. To put it in perspective, El Castillo temple in Chichen Itza measures 30 meters high.
Finally, the guide took us to a restaurant near the park’s entrance to rest and eat before returning to Flores. The tour inside the park took approximately 5 hours, sufficient time to admire the ruins.
Peten Lake
I believe Peten Lake is the second-best highlight after Tikal. Tourists and locals gather near a collapsing pier to enjoy the refreshing lake and absorb the stunningly bright-orange sunsets.
From here, one can kayak, swim, or simply relax and enjoy a drink with a breathtaking view. The lively music from the nearby bars adds to the festive atmosphere at the pier. I had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people and creating unforgettable moments here. In particular, I met a group of locals from Guatemala and two sisters from France traveling with their adventurous dog, who warmly welcomed me into their plans.
Jorge’s Rope Swing
This hidden but popular bar, known for its rope swing, is on the opposite side of the bay. It is accessible by water taxi (a 15-minute journey), kayak (a long and adventurous session), or Jet Ski (a thrilling ride). I initially intended to kayak to the bar for a refreshing workout, but my plans took an unexpected turn after a spontaneous and wild idea from a Belgian traveler.
Jorge’s Rope Swing had a more tranquil ambience than the pier on Flores Island. Tall, green, shady trees surrounded the bar, and no background music disturbed the peaceful atmosphere. People lounged on hammocks while reading a book, and some plunged into the lake using the rope swing.
While I only spent about 30 minutes here, one can easily relax and jump from the rope swing for several hours. I suggest removing bracelets or watches before jumping from the rope swing, as I unknowingly unclipped my watch after letting go of it.
Restaurants & Nightlife
While I didn’t visit every restaurant or bar on the island, I went to the most charming and highest-rated places based on my research. Additionally, my group of local friends took me to their favorite spots.
This beautiful, green, two-story, open-air restaurant has magnificent lake views. Their menu offers delicious, healthy choices and artistically decorated dishes. Additionally, having a cat join me for breakfast was a big plus.
This bohemian-style hostel has an artistic public restaurant with comfortable seating and a great food and drinks selection. I only had an americano since I had already eaten. The restaurant’s highlight was its dedication to creating an inviting social atmosphere.
This two-story Italian restaurant has breathtaking lake views and transforms into a lively evening venue with live music and accent lighting. I had a delicious Fettuccine Alfredo pasta and a refreshing Maracuya Margarita to set the mood for a fun night.
This lively indoor bar mainly played Latin music, creating a fun atmosphere perfect for dancing. It seemed like the most popular spot for nightlife on the island.
Skybar is a three-story rooftop bar with fantastic views of Peten Lake and a fun, relaxing vibe. Rooftop bars are always fun because they usually offer great views, good background music, and well-prepared drinks, creating a perfect atmosphere for socializing.
Conclusion
When I first researched Flores, I did not find much material indicating how entertaining Flores Island could be. Most people seemed to have only come here to explore Tikal, a phenomenal experience but not the only attraction. I want to highlight that this small island creates the perfect conditions for meeting friendly locals and fellow travellers and has plenty of activities to engage in.
Therefore, I recommend spending at least three nights here to comfortably experience this charming island and immerse yourself in the past by visiting Tikal’s Mayan ruins.
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