• Island -

Hand made by an ancient Mayan tribe the Itza in the 13th century

• Visa -

Nearly 90 countries can enter Guatemala without a visa for 90 days. Some may have to buy a Tourist card at the airport. Check with your Embassy especially if you are crossing over from Belize.

El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras have signed an agreement where a visa issued by one of them will be honoured by the others

• Budget -

You will find Guatemala quite cheap and good value for everything

• Population -

13,700

• AKA -

Nojpeten / Tah Itza / Tayasal /  Isla de Flores

• About -

You have several options

1. Come for a week to enjoy the island and see Tikal - Fly in and out of Guatemala City or Belize City

2. Fly to Belize City and make your way here - You could spend some time in Belize in the Cays or stay in Francis Ford Coppola's Blancaneaux Lodge - see Hotels

3. Or fly in to Cancun and combine this and the 28 night #28 Yucatan Loop in Mexico

• Go - Generally it's an all year destination

Guatemala has two seasons - wet and dry. May to October is the wet season and it can get quite humid here.

November to April is the dry season and it can get quite hot. 

The hottest months are April and May.

High season is December to March when the crowds are largest. 

Christmas and Easter are busiest.

The best time to come is February and March

• Airports -

La Aurora International Guatemala Airport (GUA) -  

Has direct flights from numerous USA cities, Madrid, Bogota and Central America

Mundo Maya-Flores International Airport (FRS) - 

Has flights from Guatemala City the Yucatan and Belmopan the capital of Belize. 

Phillip SW Goldson International Airport (BZE) - 

has direct flights from various USA cities and is only a 4 hour bus trip away

Cancun International Airport (CUN) - 

is well connected with 123 direct flights to destinations in 27 countries mainly in Europe and the Americas. You could combine this trip with # Yucatan Loop in Mexico 'Countries M - Z' or Cuba in 'Countries A - L'

• Ferry -

A 500 m causeway connects the island to the mainland

Boat trips around the lake

• Stay - Aim for a 3*** with a pool and lake views

Hotel Peten *** - 

Swimming pool with sunset facing lakeview, restaurant and bar, free breakfast

Hotel Casona de La Isla *** - 

Swimming pool, beachfront, restaurant and bar

Hotel Casa Turquesa *** - 

Swimming pool, superb breakfast included

• Features -

3 towns for the price of one - Flores - Santa Elena - San Benito

• History -

It was once the capital of Itza Maya and resisted the Spanish until 1697. When they took over they knocked down the existing structures and put up their own buildings

· See -

Tikal - make your own way (Download the audio guide) or go on a tour (Make sure the guide speaks English) / Waterfront markets / Viewpoints

· Do -

Sunrise tour of Tikal 

Jorge's restaurant, bar and rope swing -

a good place to hang out and have a few beers - have to catch a boat here

Explore the island by foot / Ixpanpajul Nature Park - Zip Lines, Canopy Walks (2 and a half hour Skywalk with wild life and birdlife), Horse Riding and Bird Watching 

Canoe or Kayak the lake 

5 day trek to a hidden Mayan city

Spelunk the limestone caves of Ak'tun Kan 

People watch in the central square / A boat trip / Check out the view from El Mirador del Rey Canek / Visit some of the other ruins around

· Highlights -

Colourful buildings, Cobblestone streets and Lake views

• Eat -

Market street food by the west side of the lake comes out about 4pm 

Night Market

BBQ by the causeway in the evenings

Cool Beans and Maple y Tocino for breakfast

Plenty of good restaurants around making local and international dishes including some good Italian (Wood oven Pizza). Just wander around and pick one with a lake view - San Telmo Cafe is a good choice

• Drink -

Chilled Coconuts / Frozen Margaritas / Cerveza / Ron y Coca

There are Rooftop Bars, Bars by the lake, Clubs with music and dancing, DJ's, Reggae, Twerking and Bingo

• Sundowners -

Sunset tour of Tikal / The Sky Bar - Rooftop bar / Bars looking out over the lake / Jorge's Rope Swing 

• Souvenirs -

Hand woven fabrics / Bright clothing

• Tips -

Stock up in Santa Elena as goods are cheaper than on the island

• Famous -

UNESCO Mayan ruins at Tikal National Park

Flores is one of the oldest continually areas in ALL of the Americas

· Festivals -

Festival La Chotona / Burning of the Devil Festival

• Extra -

See Mexico in 'Countries M - L'