Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lake Tours
Boats can be hired for lake tours at the
embarcaderos
(wharves) that are opposite Hotel
Petenchel and beside the Hotel Santana in Flores, and in the middle of the Flores-Santa
Elena causeway. Prices are negotiable. An hour-long jaunt runs around Q150. A three-
hour tour, which might include the Arcas animal conservation preserve (
Click here
), the
Petencito Zoo, the isle of Santa Bárbara and its museum (
Click here
)
and the ruins of
Tayazal should cost Q400 for three passengers, with stops and waiting time included.
Sleeping
Except for a few upscale properties along Santa Elena's waterfront, Flores makes a far
more desirable place to stay, unless you have a thing for traffic and dust.
Hostel Los Amigos $
( 7867-5075;
www.amigoshostel.com
; Calle Central, Flores; dm/r Q55/120; )
Flores' one true hostel,
with a 10-bed dorm, hammocks and even a treehouse, has grown organically in its nine
years of existence. All the global traveler's perks are here in abundance: nightly bonfires,
happy hours, heaped helpings of organic food, yoga and cut-rate jungle tours. A new an-
nex around the corner is quieter, with seven originally designed rooms.
HOSTEL
Hospedaje Doña Goya the 2nd $
HOTEL
( 7867-5516; hospedajedonagoya@yahoo.com; Calle Unión, Flores; s/d Q80/120, r with balcony Q160;
)
Doña Goya's second effort is even spiffier than her first - this one's got a jungle theme,
with banisters made to look like climbing vines. Rooms are plain, airy and well scrubbed,
with screened windows, and most have some kind of view. And like its predecessor, DG2
features a hammock-slung terrace.
Hospedaje Doña Goya $
( 7867-5513; Calle Unión, Flores; dm Q35, s/d Q80/120, without bathroom Q70/90; )
This family-run
guesthouse makes a fine budget choice. Though ultra-basic, the sheets are clean, the fans
work, the water's hot and the paint's fresh. Dorms, too, are spacious and spotless. Best of
all is the roof terrace with a palm-thatched shelter and hammocks.
HOSTEL
Hotel Mirador del Lago $
HOTEL
