Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
guesthouse offers spartan but decent rooms - those with
private bath and balcony cost a few dollars extra - as well
as spacious no-frills dorms. The rooftop terrace, festooned
with h
ammo
cks, is
a huge
bonus and meals are available.
Dorms
US$5
, rooms
US$12
Hospedaje Yaxhá
Calle 15 Septiembre
T
5830 2060,
W
cafeyaxha.com.
Budget accommodation above the
recommended
Café Arqueológico Yaxhá
restaurant with
well-presented clean room
s, all w
ith private bathroom,
powerful fans and free wi-fi.
US$15
Hotel Isla de Flores
Avenida de la Reforma
T
7867
5176,
W
hotelisladeflores.com.
A lobby with white
wicker furniture gives way to clean, a/c rooms with TV,
private bath and bright bedspreads; about half the rooms
feature lake views, and there's a rooftop swimm
ing pool.
l. A
skylight and hanging plants liven up each floor.
US$59
5
SAN MIGUEL
Chaltunha Hostel
San Miguel
T
4219 0851,
W
chaltunhahostel.com.
Part hotel, part backpackers'
hostel, this friendly place is just across the lake from Flores
in the sleepy village of San Miguel - call ahead for a free
boat transfer. Private screened rooms with showers, basic
four-bed dorms, and excellent travel advice, plus a small
pool, a bar and restaurant. T
he own
ers pla
n to ope
n a sister
hostel in Flores itself. Dorms
US$8
, rooms
US$24
Posada San Miguel
San Miguel
T
7867 5312,
W
laposadasanmiguel.com.
Delightful, great-value
family
posada
, in San Miguel village and served by frequent
lanchas
across the lake. Large lakeside rooms have
attractive furnishings, private bathrooms and stunning
views, with a
simple
comedor
downstairs and a small beach
right in front.
Q125
EATING AND DRINKING
★
Café Arqueológico Yaxhá
Calle 15 Septiembre
T
5830 2060,
W
cafeyaxha.com.
An interesting café,
where the menu features pre-Hispanic dishes of Maya
origin, using ingredients such as yucca and squash, as well
as international favourites. Typical main dishes cost Q40-
60. Dieter, the German owner, runs excellent tours to the
Maya sites that decorate the walls, and excellent evening
slide shows. Free wi-fi.
Daily 7am-9pm.
★
the cooking is terrific. Savour the beef carpaccio or
delectable fettuccini prepared with grated courgette and
shrimps (Q68). The decor is quirky too, with hip retro sofas
and artwork. Wine by the glass is pricey at Q40, so come
early for a happy-hour cocktail or two (5-7pm).
Mon-Sat
noon-10pm.
Tipico Imperio
Calle 15 Septiembre
T
7867 5717.
Friendly restaurant overlooking the lake from the east
side of the island, with a spacious outdoor terrace and
seating inside as well, and the best Guatemalan menu in
town. The speciality is the light, succulent lake fish known
locally as simply
pescado blanco
(white fish), steamed with
peppers for Q70-115, while burgers, tacos or tortilla soup
cost Q30-45, and beef or chicken dishes more like Q60.
Daily 7am-11pm.
La Villa del Chef
Calle La Unión
T
4211 3849,
W
facebook.com/lavilladelchef.
A quiet, even romantic,
restaurant, with a lovely lake vista from its huge windows
and terrace seating. The mixed international menu includes
falafel burgers for Q49, steaks for Q89 and fresh lake fish at
market prices; Q49 also buy a colossal plate of nachos and
beef chilli. The tables on the lakeshore terrace are candlelit
in the evenings, and profits benefit development projects
in Petén.
Daily 7.30am-10.30pm.
Cool Beans
Calle 15 Septiembre
T
5571 9240.
Fine
café-restaurant, with tables spilling down to the lakeside
garden. They go the extra mile here: quite apart from the
powerful espresso coffee, the breakfasts are excellent,
featuring home-made bread and jam and real butter; the
sandwiches are huge (try the shredded carrot, bacon and
guacamole); and the mains, at Q40-60, are delicious.
Draught beer and cocktails also available.
Mon-Fri
7am-10pm, Sat 8am-10pm.
Raíces Disco/Restaurant
Calle Sur
T
5521 1843.
While the restaurant is a pricey affair targeted largely at
tour groups, the bar-disco is the only game in town when it
comes to dancefloor action.
Mon-Thurs & Sun
8am-10pm, Fri & Sat 8am-1am.
Il Terrazzo
Calle La Unión
T
7867 5479.
Upscale Italian
restaurant, specializing in home-made pasta. The roofed
deck upstairs catches the breeze and offers the views, while
