Flores: the island on the lake towards Tikal

Built on a small island connected to the mainland by a short causeway, Flores remains the most convenient departure point for reaching the Maya pyramids of Tikal.

The island is explored on foot; Tikal requires a car or tour.

The narrow streets of Flores, with their colorful low houses, can be explored entirely on foot in less than an hour, offering glimpses of Lake Petén Itzá from every corner.

A short boat trip crosses the Lake Petén Itzá, which according to archaeologists still hides submerged remains of the last independent Maya capital, conquered only in 1697.

In the afternoon it makes sense to reach Tikal, one of the most impressive Maya sites in Central America, with pyramids exceeding sixty meters in height rising from the jungle.

From the summits of Tikal's temples one observes howler monkeys and toucans among the canopy of the surrounding rainforest.

Flores stands on the remains of ancient Tayasal, the last independent Maya city to resist Spanish conquest, which fell only in 1697, nearly two centuries after the Aztecs' defeat.

Tikal's main temple, Temple IV, remains one of the highest structures ever built by the Maya: the view from its summit, above the forest canopy, was even used as scenery in the first Star Wars film.