If you’re travelling through Guatemala you’ll probably hit the town of Flores at some point. Whether it is to visit Tikal, Yaxha or El Mirador or because you’re planning to go all the way to Belize, being in Flores for a little while isn’t so bad at all. The town is small and though this is a backpacking hotspot, it’s still really quiet. I came straight out of a night bus (not the best 10 hours of my life) and was relieved to find out there are some cool chill spots to find on the ‘island’.
Cool Beans
A peaceful place with a perfect terrace, overlooking the beautiful lake. You might want to hang out in here for a while. Even though the inside looks a bit run down, it still feels very cosy in here, probably because the place’s tucked away between two buildings on the corner. They have good coffee and free refills in here, very welcome if you need to re-open your eyes after the Guatemala-Flores bus ride.
Los Amigos Hostel
I didn’t even stay in this hostel, but I’d really recommend going here for a visit. Not only do they know a lot about things to do around Flores, but they also have the best patio of the entire town. If you enter the hostel it basically feels you’re stepping into some Middle-Eastern medina, because of all the cushion, lounge spots, hammocks and green surroundings. The dishes they offer in here are very good and reasonably priced too. You can even watch some nice movies and documentaries in their cinema.
Visit the cathedral
The church itself might be nothing exceptional, a walk towards it is actually a good idea if you’re in the mood for wandering around. The church is located at the summit of the town of Flores, next to the main square. The square is a relaxed place to sit down for a little while; here you can have a chat with one of the locals or watch the kids play soccer. It offers some nice views onto the cobblestone streets of Flores, the rooftops and the lake.
San Telmo
San Telmo is a small place with a lot of character. If you step inside the restaurant you might need a minute to soak up all of the impressions. Every meter is packed with curiosa against colourful backgrounds. The place has a nice terrace as well which offers fine lake views. The menu stars refreshing smoothies, great sandwiches, curries and pastas. If you come early you can enjoy happy hour too.
La Luna
The romantic settings of this restaurant, situated on the corner near the cathedral, will instantly attract you. The service is alright and the dishes are Central American and fresh. You might get some free shots on the house too.
Go an a SUP or kayak adventure
Now that you might have been re-energized, a superb activity at Isla de Flores would be to rent a SUP board. The lake is so serene and mirror-like that it feels heavenly to float across it. Just peddle it up for a little while, at the end of the day and get ready for your next adventure outside of Flores.
