Essentials

πŸ™οΈ City Flores is a picturesque island town on Lake PetΓ©n ItzΓ‘, known for its colorful buildings and cobblestone streets.
πŸ‘₯ Population Approximately 30,000
πŸ’» Internet Speed Average speeds of 20 Mbps; available in cafes and coworking spaces.
πŸ’Έ Currency & Banking 1 USD β‰ˆ 7.75 GTQ. Major credit cards accepted at many places.
🚰 Tap Water Not drinkable. Bottled water is commonly used.
πŸ”Œ Power 110V, 60Hz, πŸ”Œ Type A/B sockets.
πŸ“Ά SIM Card Major providers include Tigo and Claro offering prepaid options.
πŸ’³ Banking for Expats Cash is preferred; ATMs available but may charge fees; Revolut and TransferWise accepted for transfers.
πŸ›Œ Accommodation Options range from local guesthouses to Airbnb rentals starting at $20 per night.
πŸ’³ Cashless Friendly Moderately cashless-friendly; cards accepted in some restaurants and stores.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb and local guesthouses available, prices range from $20 to $50 per night.
πŸ›οΈ Budget Accommodation Hostal Los Amigos offers dorms starting at $10 per night.

Working and Networking

🏒 Best Coworking Space La Casa del Mundo offers a serene environment and good Wi-Fi.
β˜• Best Cafe for Work Cafe Flor serves great coffee and has decent Wi-Fi.
πŸ’Ό Networking Events Check local Facebook groups for weekly meetups.
πŸ₯‚ Social Events for Expats Expats in Flores Facebook group frequently organizes gatherings.

Transportation

πŸš• Best Taxi/Ride App No major taxi apps; local taxis available, negotiate rates before rides.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Bike rentals available through local shops for around $10 per day.
πŸ–οΈ Best Beach Nearby The nearest beach is at Playa Santa Elena, about 15 minutes away by taxi.
✈️ Top Regional Airline TAG Airlines operates regional flights to major cities.
✈️ Top International Airline Avianca and United Airlines provide international flights from Guatemala City.
πŸ›£οΈ Highway Access Access to CA-9 highway connecting to larger cities.
πŸš‰ Main Train/Transit Hub Flores does not have a train system; local buses connect to nearby areas.
🚍 Public Transport Passes No passes available; local buses and tuk-tuks charge per ride.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses and shuttles to Quetzaltenango and Tikal regularly.

Health and Wellness

πŸ₯ Best Hospital Hospital Santa Elena is the primary medical facility in the region.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Serenity Yoga Studio offers classes and wellness workshops.
πŸ‹οΈ Gyms & Fitness Centers Gym Flores is available with basic equipment.
🧺 Laundry Services LavaRopa offers wash and fold services.

Food and Drink

πŸ“± Best Food Delivery App Glovo and Uber Eats operate in Flores for food delivery.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Try PepiÑn, a traditional Guatemalan stew.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Cafe Verde offers a range of vegetarian options.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Dulces de Flores serves traditional pastries.
πŸ›’ Affordable Shopping Spots Local markets like Mercado Central have fresh foods and local produce.
πŸ›’ E-commerce/Online Store Amazon ships to Guatemala with additional shipping times.
πŸ›’ Grocery Delivery Rappi provides grocery delivery services.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Bar La Choza is popular for nightlife among locals and expats.
🍻 Local Brewery Cervecería La Nueva offers local brewing tours.
🍷 Wine Bars Vino y Tapas serves a selection of wines and tapas.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Street vendors along the main square are popular for local snacks.
πŸ• Popular International Cuisine El Bistro offers a variety of international dishes.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Explore the ruins of Tikal, just a short drive away.
πŸ›οΈ Museums & Art Venues Museo del Azulejo features local ceramic art.
🏰 Historical Sites Flores Cathedral dates back to the colonial period.
πŸ• Religious Sites Iglesia de San Juan Bautista is worth a visit.
πŸŽ‰ Annual Events Festival of San Juan in June is a local highlight.
🎨 Cultural Districts The historic district of Flores is filled with vibrant culture.
🎭 Theater Venues Local community theater showcases various performances.
πŸ›οΈ Local Markets Craft and artisan markets on weekends are common.
🎼 Music Scene Live music events often held in local bars.
🎨 Street Art Colorful murals can be found throughout Flores.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ³ Cooking Classes Cooking classes at the local community center feature regional cuisine.
πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ¨ Art Galleries Art Gallery of Flores exhibits pieces from local artists.
πŸ•°οΈ Historic Buildings Some colonial buildings have been preserved in the town center.
🏴 Local Heritage Flores is a representation of the cultural blend of indigenous and colonial influences.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

πŸŒ… Nearby Nature Escapes PetΓ©n ItzΓ‘ Lake offers scenic views and swimming opportunities.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Tikal National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, accessible from Flores.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Paths around Lake Petén ItzÑ provide scenic walking and cycling options.
πŸŒ„ Scenic Viewpoints The Mirador de Flores provides panoramic views of the town and lake.
πŸ¦‰ Birdwatching Locations Tikal National Park is also a hotspot for birdwatching.
πŸ”₯ Bonfire-Friendly Spots Several spots along the shore of Lake PetΓ©n are great for bonfires.

Other Services and Amenities

πŸ“¦ Parcel Delivery Service DHL and local postal service available for shipments.
πŸ› οΈ Tech Repair Services Local shops available for mobile and laptop repairs.
πŸ“ Table Tennis Spots Community center occasionally hosts table tennis events.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ« Language Classes Spanish schools available for language learning.
πŸ“š Libraries & Study Spots Library supports digital nomads with a quiet space for work.
🏘️ Community Centers The Centro de Artes offers workshops and community events.
πŸ•ΉοΈ Gaming Lounges Local cafes sometimes host gaming events.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Flores does not have casinos; the closest is in Guatemala City.

Business

🏒 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000)
🏒 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $40,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $90,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $72,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $104,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $80,000)
πŸ’Ό Corporate Tax 25%
πŸ’΅ Dividend Withholding Tax 5%
🏦 Tax System Residents taxed on Guatemalan-source income.
πŸ“ˆ Highest Income Tax Bracket 31%
🧾 VAT 12%
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules No strict rules exist.
🏠 Property Tax Mild property tax applies based on property value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax 2% on property transactions.