Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Right on the lake,
Raíces Bar and Grill
(tel. 5521-1843, 2 P.M.-10 P.M. Sun.-Thurs.,
2 P.M.-1 A.M. Fri.-Sat.) is a great place to catch the sunset while you enjoy your favorite
cocktail. You'll find the locals in the cantinas on the Playa Sur strip facing the Gran Hotel
de la Isla.
There are several handicrafts stores lining Calle Centroamérica, on the south side of the
island.Formoremodernneeds,therearetwoshoppingmallsnearby.
Mundo Maya Inter-
national Mall
, just across the way in Santa Elena and immediately east of the causeway,
was still being built at time of publication. Construction suffered setbacks due to a contro-
versy unleashed when a swampy segment of the lakeshore was filled in to make room for
construction. The project has a hefty price tag of $40 million, making it the largest single
investment in Petén to date. It may be finished by publication time, and should include a
grocery store and movie theaters. The first phase of the project, an adjacent Burger King
and Pollo Campero outlet, are already up and running.
Metroplaza
(9 A.M.-8 P.M. daily) lies across the road from Mundo Maya International
Airport and has a Pizza Hut, electronics stores, a travel agency, and a pharmacy among its
stores.
Although Flores's location by the lake would make water sports a logical recreational op-
tion, most recreation is outside of town and curiously lacks the water-borne focus you
would expect to find. Still, you can rent
kayaks
and
mountain bikes
at La Villa del Chef
(tel. 7926-0296, 8 A.M.-11 P.M. Mon.-Sun., 1 P.M.-11 P.M. Tues.-Sun.) for $7 a day.
The other main recreational option involves
lake tours
offered by various boatmen con-
gregating at the embarcaderos opposite Hotel Santana and on Playa Sur. Direct
colectivo
boats($0.50)cantakeyouacrossthelaketothetownofSanMiguelandleavefromadock
next to Posada de Don José. The lake tours can be had for $15-20 and include a trip to
the lakeshore opposite the island's northwest corner to
Petencito Zoo,
the Mayan ruins of
Tayazal,
and
ARCAS,
a wildlife rescue center.
Guide Companies
Flores makes a natural starting point for trips into the wilderness because of its central loc-
ation within Petén and its proximity to roads leading from here in all directions. The fol-
lowing recommended outfitters can hook you up with one day or multiday adventures to
Petén's increasingly popular parks and archaeological sites.
