Flores is a small town built on a island in Lake Petén Itzá, connected to the mainland town of Santa Elena by a short causeway. It is the main base for visiting Tikal, about 65 km to the north.
The town itself is pleasant — pastel-colored houses, narrow lanes, waterside restaurants, and boats moored along the shore. There is not much to do in Flores itself, but the setting is attractive and evenings around the lake are relaxed. Most travelers stay one or two nights on the way to or from Tikal.
The area around Flores and the broader Petén department contains dozens of other Maya sites, most far less visited than Tikal. Yaxhá, Nakum, and El Mirador are the most significant, though El Mirador requires a multi-day jungle trek. Tour operators in Flores can arrange guided visits to the accessible ruins.
Getting there: Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS) near Santa Elena has several daily flights from Guatemala City (about 1 hour). The overland journey from Guatemala City takes 8–10 hours by bus; shuttles from Belize City run about 4 hours. Colectivos connect Flores to Tikal in about 1 hour.