How To Get from Flores to Tikal [2024]

Wondering how to get from Flores to Tikal, Guatemala? Wonder no more, because you’ve found the ultimate guide to make your journey. Find out all the options and choose the best one for you!

Flores is commonly referred to as the gateway to several nearby Mayan ruins, among which Tikal is by far the most popular one. This impressive ancient citadel ought to be on your itinerary in Guatemala!

In this post, you’ll find the best alternatives on how to get from Flores to Tikal for all budgets, preferences, and desired comforts. Check them out!

BEST FLORES TO TIKAL TOURS

The easiest way to visit Tikal is to join a tour, as you’ll not only have transportation covered but enjoy pick up at your hotel, and benefit from the insights of a knowledgeable guide. Below you’ll find the best Tikal tours from Flores. 

▶️ The Archeological Focus Sunrise Tour Tikal with Wildlife Spotting (North and West) takes you on an extensive tour around Tikal Natural Park at dawn (entrance not included). After witnessing the sunrise from the top of a pyramid, you’ll learn about the history of Tikal, the importance of its structures, and the flora and fauna of the place. You’ll enjoy complimentary breakfast and lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ If you’re really not a morning person, you can join the Archaeological Focus Tikal Sunset Tour with Wildlife Spotting (South and East). You and a small group will follow your guide around the UNESCO World Heritage Site (entrance not included), learning about the impressive ruins and spotting the wildlife as the day comes to an end. This Tikal tour from Flores includes lunch at a local restaurant. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ The Tikal Maya Adventure Private Day Tour from Flores includes lunch and hotel pick-up and drop-off. You’ll tour Tikal National Park with a private guide, learning about the history of the park, and enjoying the chance of climbing some of the structures. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Pros and Cons of the Tours

✅ The tour offers roundtrip transportation, so you don’t have to plan your transfers to and from the archaeological site. Plus, you’ll have a tour guide with you at all times, making the experience much more informative and interesting.

✅ All the tours mentioned above include lunch, so there’s also no need to prepare a lunch box or snacks to take with you.

❌ It’s more expensive than making the trip on your own.

❌ The first two tour options don’t include entrance fees to the site, so you’ll have to purchase them separately.

READ ALSO: These Are the 11 Very Best Tikal Tours

TIKAL TO FLORES SHUTTLE WITH GUIDE

You can also make the trip from Flores to Tikal by shuttle, which picks you up at your hotel and takes you directly to the archaeological site.

The shuttle also includes a guide and a tour around the Tikal National Park, so you’ll enjoy a full-day trip with all the main benefits of an actual tour. This is the option we chose and it was a great experience.

When you click on GuateGo page, it’s not immediately obvious which option is this. If you click on More information, it will be the option that says Guide in the collapsible menu next to Pick up at hotel.

💲The Flores-Tikal shuttle departs daily at 8 AM and costs $45. Round-trip transportation is included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Pros and Cons of the Shuttle with Guide

✅ It offers roundtrip transportation, and a guide to show you around the ruins and explain their history and importance. It’s also cheaper than going on a tour while offering a similar experience.

❌ You’ll have to pay for the ruins’ entrance fee separately.

❌ It’s a fixed schedule, so you won’t have a say in the departure or return timings.

SHARED SHUTTLE FROM FLORES TO TIKAL

If you’d rather explore the site on your own, you can book the shared shuttle to get to Tikal and then wander around at your pace. It’s the most convenient option if you’re on a budget.

It doesn’t include hotel pick-up as the previous option or the private transfer. Instead, it departs from the I Love Petén sign at the entrance of Flores, where you’ll meet your driver and the other passengers. Depending on where you’re staying in Flores, it might not be the most convenient of options.

When you click on GuateGo page, it’s not immediately obvious which option is this. If you click on More information, it will be the option that says A/C in the collapsible menu next to Entrada Flores.

If you’re far from the location, the difference ($15) might well be worth booking the shuttle with a guide, with the added benefit of having a tour included. 

💲The shared shuttle departs at 8 AM daily, and it costs $30 round-trip. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Pros and Cons of the Shared Shuttle

✅ It’s a very affordable transportation option, and it offers a roundtrip service so you know your return journey is also covered.

❌ You won’t have a guide with you, which means you’ll have to explore the ruins, and figure out their history and archaeology facts on your own.

❌ There’s only one departure a day, so you’ll have to adapt to their schedule.

PRIVATE TRANSFER / TAXI TO TIKAL

How to get to Tikal with all the comforts? If you want to be taken directly from your hotel to the site, and picked up after your tour to get back, then your best option is to book a private transfer or a taxi. 

Although it’s the most expensive transportation option, it may be convenient if you’re a group of at least 4 people, and you’ll enjoy hassle-free and private transportation.

The Flores to Tikal distance is 39.7 miles (63.9 km), and the journey will take around 1 hour. Below are the best options:  

▶️ You can book in advance a Roundtrip Private VIP Transfer from Flores to Tikal with hotel pick up and drop-off included, which will take you and your group of up to 3 people to the site, and wait until you’re ready to get back. 

All vehicles have insurance and air-conditioning. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ If your hotel is in Tikal or you plan to visit the site as soon as you land in Flores, you can opt for a Private One-Way Transfer from either Mundo Maya International Airport or Santa Elena Airport to Tikal. It accommodates up to 5 people, and you’ll get to choose the time of the pickup. It doesn’t include the Tikal-Flores transfer after your visit.

All vehicles are air-conditioned and insured. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Read what the reviews say:

”So happy we went with this private tour instead of a group tour. We were able to decide the time our driver picked us up and he was able to come right to our hotel. He then stayed at the park while we explored and was right there when we were ready to go home. Most tour groups are an 8+ hour commitment. We only stayed in the park for 3 hours which is why we were so happy we used a private tour guide who was on our schedule. He was very nice and helpful in gaining access into the park.”

emhoekstra19 – Check out more reviews on Viator

Pros and Cons of the Private Transfer

✅ The transfer revolves around your preferences. You’ll choose the pick-up time that best suits you, and return to Flores whenever you feel like it.

✅ You’ll be picked up and dropped off at your hotel, making this a hassle-free transfer.

❌ It’s more expensive than taking the shuttle, and it doesn’t include a guide.

PUBLIC BUS FROM FLORES TO TIKAL

You can also take the bus from Flores, Guatemala to Tikal, which takes around two hours to arrive at the ruins. The bus departs almost every hour from Santa Elena bus station, and it’s the cheapest way to visit Tikal, costing around $5-7 at the time of writing, although not the most comfortable in the least.

If you’re on a really tight budget, though, the Tikal bus is an option to get to visit the site.

Pros and Cons of the Public Bus

✅ It’s the cheapest way to make the journey Flores – Tikal.

❌ It’s an uncomfortable trip, and you’ll have to be very mindful of the timings to return to Flores.

❌ It departs from the center of Flores, so depending on where your hotel is located, you might need to take a taxi to the bus station.

Flores to Tikal FAQ