AI estimate Updated Mar 22, 2026 About guide entries
Essentials
- City
- Flores, Petén, Guatemala
- Population
- Approx. 13,000 (Isla de Flores and Santa Elena area)
- Internet Speed
- 15-50 Mbps; Starlink is increasingly common in nomad hostels
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 7.80 GTQ (Guatemalan Quetzal)
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use purified 'Garrafones' (20L for 20 GTQ)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US Standard)
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Claro; 10GB data package for approx. 100 GTQ ($13 USD)
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Industrial and BAC Credomatic; Revolut works at 5B ATMs (high fees)
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local guesthouses on the island
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial; restaurants on the island accept cards, but 5-10% surcharges are common
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options range from $600 to $1,200 USD per month
- Budget Accommodation
- Los Amigos Hostel (Dorms from $12 USD/night, Calle Central)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Isla de Flores (The historic island neighborhood)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Isla de Flores or San Miguel (across the water for more quiet surroundings)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Cool Beans (not a formal coworking, but has the most reliable patio work setup and coffee)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Maple & Sage (Great AC, power outlets, and stable Wi-Fi near the causeway)
- Networking Events
- Check notice boards at Los Amigos Hostel or 'Expats in Peten' Facebook group
- Social Events for Expats
- Sunset drinks at Sky Bar or San Telmo on the west side of the island
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Tuk-Tuks are the primary mode (10-15 GTQ for local trips); Uber is limited
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bike rental at Los Amigos (~50 GTQ/day); Scooters in Santa Elena (~200 GTQ/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Chechenal (accessible by boat from the island for 25 GTQ)
- Top Regional Airline
- TAG Airlines (Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos)
- Top International Airline
- Avianca (Connecting via Guatemala City)
- Highway Access
- CA-13 connects Flores to Belize and Rio Dulce
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS) and Santa Elena Bus Terminal
- Public Transport Passes
- None; pay per trip in cash to boat 'lanchas' or Tuk-Tuks
- Regional Travel
- Fuente del Norte or Maya De Oro luxury buses to Guatemala City (~300 GTQ)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Nacional de San Benito (Public) or Centro Médico Maya (Private)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Hotel Maya Internacional (offers occasional yoga classes overlooking the lake)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gym de la Isla (Small local gym) or larger facilities in nearby Santa Elena
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Petencito (approx. 7 GTQ per pound, wash/dry/fold)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Mandadito (local delivery service via WhatsApp or Facebook)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pescado Blanco (White fish from Lake Petén Itzá)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Maracuya (Creative plant-based options with a lake view)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Isla de Flores street food stalls (evening) for 'Atol Blanco' and 'Rellenitos'
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Municipal de Santa Elena (Massive local food/produce market)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Kemik.gt (Guatemalan electronics/home delivery)
- Grocery Delivery
- La Torre (Supermarket in Santa Elena, offers online ordering via website)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The West Edge of Isla de Flores (Calle de la Unión)
- Local Brewery
- Cerveza Gallo (National beer); craft options sometimes at Los Amigos
- Wine Bars
- Terrazzo (Italian restaurant with a decent wine selection and sunset views)
- Street Food Stalls
- The Night Food Market (North end of the island by the park, 15-30 GTQ per plate)
- Popular International Cuisine
- San Telmo (Eclectic decor, great burgers and international fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Tikal National Park (1-hour drive, 150 GTQ entry)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Sylvanus G. Morley Museum (Tikal artifacts)
- Historical Sites
- Yaxhá (Mayan ruins with spectacular sunset views)
- Religious Sites
- Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios (Plaza Central)
- Annual Events
- Flores Fair (January 15th, celebrations for Cristo Negro)
- Cultural Districts
- The Central Plaza of Flores (social heart of the island)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro de Bellas Artes (Santa Elena)
- Local Markets
- Santa Elena Market (Daily, very traditional)
- Music Scene
- Live Marimba music often played in the Central Plaza on weekends
- Street Art
- Colorful murals along the 'Callejón de las Flores'
- Cooking Classes
- Available via 'Ixpanpajul' park operators (Pre-Hispanic cuisine)
- Art Galleries
- Small artisan shops on Calle Centro selling Petén wood carvings
- Historic Buildings
- The Castillo de Arismendi (Remnants of colonial fortifications)
- Local Heritage
- Itza Maya heritage, the last Mayan kingdom to fall to the Spanish
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- ARCAS Wildlife Rescue Center (accessible by boat)
- National Parks Nearby
- Tikal, El Zotz, and Cerro Cahui Biotope
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 2km 'Malecón' (boardwalk) circling the entire island
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de Canek (San Miguel, 10 min boat ride then 15 min hike)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Cerro Cahui Biotope (Toucans and Ocellated Turkeys)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- El Jorge's Rope Swing (lakefront property with fire pits)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Cargo Expreso or Guatex (Santa Elena branch)
- Tech Repair Services
- Intelaf (Santa Elena) for computer parts and repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Los Amigos Hostel (Common area)
- Language Classes
- Dos Mundos Spanish School (Isla de Flores)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal (near the Church in Flores)
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural de Petén
- Gaming Lounges
- Local internet cafes in Santa Elena (limited)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None on the island; very limited local slots in Santa Elena
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (Very limited supply on the island)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $900 per m² in Santa Elena
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $120,000 USD for a renovated historic colonial flat
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $55,000 USD in residential Santa Elena
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $180,000+ USD (High demand for lake views)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $85,000 USD
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (or 7% on gross income regime)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%
- Tax System
- Territorial (Income earned within Guatemala is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 7% (simplified regime) or 25% (standard profit regime)
- VAT
- 12%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- IUSI (Impuesto Único Sobre Inmuebles), 0.2% to 0.9% annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- 12% VAT on first sale; 3% stamp tax thereafter
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, territorial tax system means foreign-sourced income is effectively 0% tax
About these guide entries
- Method
- AI estimate
- Last updated
- Mar 22, 2026
- Generated by
- Model not recorded
- Last changed
- None yet
Generated by an AI model without cited sources and not yet checked by research. A research pass replaces these values with sourced ones, compared with similar cities.