Flores surprise

Flores was my last stopover in Guatemala on the way to Belize. Following the chillingly disastrous stay in Cobán, I didn’t have any expectations or even hope for slightest improvements regarding the town and/or the weather. But, ah, how mistaken I was. To both. After five hours uneventful and boring 12 USD shuttle ride and one river crossing, I arrived at what must be one of the smallest islands in the world and could hardly believe my eyes – the sensation that so extraordinarily stimulated and heightened all of my other senses …

… sunshine.. and very comfortable temperatures that didn’t require 10 layers of clothing… and 

Flores is a teeny tiny island on Lago Petén Itzá, connected to land by a causeway. It doesn’t take more than 15 minutes to round it. During my visit, the outer loop road was partially flooded, so I could only take a stroll on the inner loop to round the lake. 

As in Coban the main reason for visiting the island is its proximity to other attractions, like Tikal for example, the most famous Maya ruins in Guatemala. I came to Flores simply because it was the most convenient pit stop on my way to the warmer latitudes. Having been freezing for so long I no longer cared for any ruins or any other attractions for that matter. My only focus was getting out of the highlands and the bitter chill asap so that I could take most of my layers off, put on the flip-flops and soak the Caribbean sunshine on sandy beaches.

Flores took me by surprise. Big time. It is a real pearl. The most picturesque and charming village you can imagine. As any other place in Guatemala, it needs a lot of plumbing work, general maintenance, and buckets of paint but there is no way anyone can deny it its charm.

In the middle of the village, on the top of the hill, there is (as it should be) the Central Park, and right in the middle of it next to the church and other municipal buildings, the villagers found as good a place as any for… a basketball court. 

Not sure how many inhabitants live in Flores full time. However, I am pretty sure it has more hotel beds per 100 inhabitants than any other place I know. There is no shortage of restaurants either. In fact, this is all there is: hotels, restaurants, tourist agencies and souvenir shops. (Bit touristy?) Other than that? There isn’t all that much to do or see – with an exception of walking the charming streets. Unless you rent a boat and visit the local museum located on an even smaller island on the lake or Petencito Zoo located on the other side or take a walk over the causeway to the neighboring towns on the mainland – Santa Elena and/or San Benito. The latter two, however, are better left alone after dark.

My office away from the office was a dream. Two decks, one on each floor, right on the lake where I could not only write and contemplate, but also order food, drinks and socialize with other guests. I stayed on the island for two nights and wanted to extend my stay for two more but could not as the hotel was fully booked for the next two weeks. Who’d know my home away from home was also home away from home for so many other travelers.

Thanks to Oliver, one great German guy from Munich who owns and runs The Flores Waterfront Hotel Lacadon the German way. It was the second time I was staying in a place run by a Westerner (the first one was run by a Dutch in Leon, Nicaragua) and must say I appreciated both my stays. Immensely. For no matter how fascinating other cultures may be, sometimes it is very comforting to come ‘home’. Even if it is only for two nights.

Sunshine, comfortable temperatures, picturesque town, office away from the office and a home away from home. Flores will stay with me for a long time to come.  

Flores in Pictures