PETÉN - Guatemala - page 503

cious bathrooms, tasteful decor and the usual comforts, including cable TV. Some have
lake views; all are centered around a pretty swimming pool with a whirlpool. The hotel's
Restaurante Las Ninfas serves varied international cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
in a pleasant dining room overlooking the pool and lake. The lobby is decorated with clas-
sic photos from Petén's past dating to the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, along with some more
modern scenes.
Food
Although Flores is really where most of the action is, Santa Elena does have a few eateries
worthy of mention. A perennial favorite is Restaurante Mijaro (Calle Principal, across
from the Catholic church, tel. [phone], 7 A.M.-10 P.M. daily), with a varied menu in-
cluding fish, meats, pastas, and burgers at very reasonable prices. Locals like Restaurante
El Rodeo (tel.[phone],10A.M.-10P.M.daily),convenientlysituatedacrossfromSanta
Elena's nicer lakefront resorts, for its Western-style decor meshed with tropical architec-
ture and its good chicken, fish, steak, and pasta, mostly under $10. There is also a fully
stocked bar. The nicer hotels, including Petén Espléndido and La Casona del Lago, have
their own decent restaurants next to swimming pools with lake views. Of these, the best
option is La Casona del Lago's Restaurante Las Ninfas, with a varied menu, including
pastas and grilled meats. The outdoor restaurant at the Hotel Maya Internacional, Vista al
Lago (tel.[phone],7A.M.-9P.M.daily),servesinternational dishesandisafinechoice
for its Sunday brunch. It offers lovely lake views from its covered wooden deck.
Money
Three blocks up 6a Avenida from the Flores causeway on the corner of 4a Calle is Banco
Agromercantil with a MasterCard ATM. Three blocks west, also on 4a Calle, is Banco In-
dustrial, with a Visa ATM.
GETTING THERE
Air
Flights arrive at Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS), a few kilometers outside of
Santa Elena east on the road to Tikal. In 2008, the airport underwent a substantial renova-
tion and the facilities are vastly improved (including badly needed air-conditioning). Most
flights to the Flores/Santa Elena airport arrive from Guatemala City, with several daily on
TACA (800/400-8222, www.taca.com )andahandfulofsmallerlocalcarriers,amongthem
TAG ( www.tag.com.gt ) . TACA also flies to and from Cancún, Mexico. From Belize City,
Maya Island Air ( www.mayaislandair.com ) and Tropic Air (800/422-3435, www.tropic-
air.com ) fly to Flores several times daily.