A Vegan-Friendly Guide On What To Do, See, And Eat In Flores, Guatemala
Is Flores, Petén, Guatemala Worth Visiting?
Many travelers are sure to stop in Flores while exploring the incredibly rich and naturally diverse country of Guatemala. Flores is the capital of the Petén Department, making it Guatemala’s northernmost landlocked department. In pre-Colombian times, Flores was the Mayan city of Nojpetén. It’s a small but colorful city that offers room for activity as well as rest.
We arrived in Flores after finally figuring out how to bypass Belize while coming from Mexico. Although we only stayed a few days, the island is pretty small so it is easy to cover a lot of ground. We felt like three days was enough time for us to explore the area, but a few days extra will allow you even more time to branch out and adventure off of the island!
Traveling Mexico soon? Check out my guides for Mérida, Valladolid (Chicen Itza), and the island of Cozumel!
How To Get To Flores, Guatemala
If you’re a budget backpacker making your way to Flores, you’ll surely save money by taking local transportation from wherever you’re coming from. However, if you prefer to take shared shuttles, there are some solid options to get you to Flores, Guatemala. Check out these two transportation options for a shared shuttle from Belize City to Flores and Semuc Champey to Flores.
What To Do In Flores, Guatemala
By the time that we reached Flores on our one and half month journey, we were ready for some rest. We ended up getting a nice sunny day to explore Tikal, followed by a rainy day that provided a unique perspective of Flores. I liked the varying weather elements that we experienced on the island. Rain or shine, here’s what to do:
1. Visit Tikal From Flores
Tikal is a must-see while in Flores. We took a shuttle there with other backpackers that left around 9 AM and arrived about an hour and a half later. Your overall travel time to reach Tikal will depend on which sort of transport you take. We spent the day following our guide to learn about the deep history of the ruins. I really appreciated Tikal for the wildness that it still hold onto, its greenness, and its energetic peacefulness. Tikal is magnificent but not packed to the brim with tourists like Chicen Itza was, and on top of that visitors were allowed to climb most of the ruins.
If you’re looking for a history lesson, go on a guided tour. This tour to Tikal includes a guide and transportation, and this one is a special sunset tour. If you’re ready to pack a full day of adventure, consider this tour that covers both Tikal and Yaxhá. If you’re looking for extended space and time to explore the ruins individually, go by yourself or with a small group. Guided tours can be incredibly informative but often feel rushed for those who like to slowly wander at their own pace.
How To Get To Tikal From Flores
The most budget-friendly option for getting to Tikal is taking the public bus from the Santa Elena bus station. It costs around $5-7 at time of writing and you can expect a two hour bus ride to make it to the ruins. The downside with public transportation is that you have to plan ahead and make sure that you arrive with enough time to explore and then catch the local bus back. I’m an extremely frugal traveler, but I’d say that paying around $25 USD for the transpiration and guide was worth it.
Is Tikal Safe To Visit?
Many people on the internet are asking if Tikal is safe to visit. In my opinion, as a female traveler, it absolutely is! At no point did I feel unsafe during our visit to Tikal. In face, despite venturing into remote places and off the beaten path in Guatemala, I felt safe during our whole trip. The only safety issue I see with visiting Tikal is that the site is so expansive that it could be easy to get lost without a guide or if you’re not paying attention.
2. Take A Day Of Rest In Flores
If you run into some rainy days like we did, Flores is a quaint little town that provides the perfect setting to take strolls between the showers, multiple cafes to dwell in (my favorites are listed below), and cute shops to duck into between walks. Backpacking and budget travel in general can be taxing physically, mentally, and even emotionally. This is a nice spot to soak in some down time. Grab your rain jacket and relax!
3. Kayak And Rope Swing In Flores
There is no shortage of kayak rentals on the island. A lot of places that offer accommodations, such as hostels, also offer kayak rentals. You can also opt to do a guided tour by kayak. Compare local prices and be sure to paddle out to the famous rope swing.
4. Walk The Island Of Flores
You don’t have to wait for a rainy day to take a stroll. On a nice sunny day you’ll be able to walk the island and get a look into how locals and tourists alike spend the days. After a long walk, pick a dock and do your best cannonball into the lake!
5. Stop By Los Amigos In Flores, Guatemala
Los Amigos is a hostel that is quite famous on the island. Although we didn’t stay there, we stopped in one night for the plant-based food options in their restaurant. The hostel had no shortage of charged energy, pretty lights, and travelers looking for a good time. We loved the rainforest vibes and it was refreshing to see so many smiling faces enjoying their evening. If you’re looking to find some new travel companions, friends, or just grab a drink or a bite to eat, Los Amigos may just be your hangout spot.
6. Other Activities Around Flores, Guatemala
Although we didn’t leave the island besides our visit to Tikal, we heard that visiting the Blue Crater or other local ruins are much loved activities:
Where To Eat In Flores, Guatemala
As a person who lives vegan (or eats plant-based), what will you eat on the island, you ask? Well, you’ve come to the right place! After about 10 years of living as a vegan and traveling the world, I’ve learned how to find plant-based deliciousness wherever I go. I’ll highlight some of the awesome places that we found in Flores and spare you the time that it takes to search Google Maps, Happy Cow, or the internet in general for vegan-friendly spots.
The Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurants In Flores, Guatemala
Nakum is a simple but healthy and delicious spot. They serve traditional local dishes as well as some international. We got the veggie dish shown above and it was our favorite meal that we had in Flores! (It doesn’t hurt that it was the cheapest as well.) They also serve vegan pancakes for breakfast. If I would have known about this place earlier I would have gone multiple times. I would rank it as the best dinner spot on the island!
Cool Beans did not have the most delicious food in the world but they did make a large vegan burrito for us, even though it wasn’t on the menu, for cheap. They are located right off the lake and offer a chill, relaxed vibe as well as hammocks and wifi. For those on a budget Nakum and Cool Beans are your best bet!
Maracuyá was my second favorite place on the island. For breakfast they offer a handful of different smoothie bowls shown below and clearly label them as vegan, as well as oatmeal and some other simple dishes. For dinner and lunch they have a more extensive vegan menu, and I really enjoyed the coconut curry. I loved the environment that Maracuyá offered, as the whole place multi-leveled, right on the water, covered in plants, and even had a fire pole as an option for exiting their second story dining area. Be sure to have some fun and try it out!
Los Amigos is a well-known hostel on the island that you may have already heard about, and it is full with travelers from all over the world, beautiful lights, art, and offers feelings of the rainforest. Maracuyá and Los Amigos are pricier but worth trying out for a special breakfast, lunch, or dinner out!
HappyCow showed more options for vegan restaurants but many of the others were temporary closed due to COVID. If you are looking for more options during your visit to Flores, check their list to explore more restaurants and cafes but be sure to call to check if they are open before you go.
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