Flores is a tiny island city connected by causeway to Santa Elena, the commercial hub of the Peten department. It is the launching point for Tikal and the vast Maya Biosphere Reserve. Flores has the charm of a Caribbean town – colorful buildings, lakefront restaurants, and a relaxed pace – but at a fraction of the cost. The real estate market is small, local, and full of opportunity for those willing to live off the beaten path.

In short: Flores is a tiny island city (causeway to Santa Elena) in Petén department, the launching point for Tikal and the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Rentals split between Flores island, Santa Elena (commercial hub), San Benito (residential) and El Remate (closer to Tikal, lakefront). Remote — 8-10 hours from Guatemala City by road, 1 hour by plane. Basic infrastructure; limited healthcare and shopping. Suits people who love nature and archaeology. Growing demand for boutique hotels and Airbnbs near Tikal.

Rental Prices

We do not print rent ranges for Flores and Petén: no source we can re-read gives a dated figure. The channels for current asking rents are listed further down this page.

Flores Island

The island itself is small – you can walk across it in 10 minutes. Housing is limited and tends toward converted tourism properties (small hotels repurposed as apartments, upper-floor rooms above restaurants). The charm is undeniable, but space is tight.

Santa Elena

Most locals live in Santa Elena, which has the market, bus terminal, banks, and commercial services. Housing is more spacious and significantly cheaper than the island. It lacks the island’s aesthetic appeal but is more practical for daily life.

El Remate

Located on the road to Tikal, El Remate sits on the eastern shore of Lake Peten Itza. It is quieter, more rural, and popular with travelers who want to be close to Tikal without staying in Flores. Some lakefront properties are available.

Property Purchase Prices

Asking prices move with every capture, so this page does not type them. The live grid of 40 sale listings, with the median asking price and price per m² by capture, is on Flores and Petén sale listings.

Border strip (Constitution, Art. 123): Peten borders Mexico and Belize. In the strip 15 kilometers wide along the borders, measured from the dividing line, only Guatemalans of origin, or companies whose members are Guatemalans of origin, may own or possess property; urban property and rights registered before 1 March 1956 are excepted. Flores city itself is well beyond this limit, but if you are looking at properties anywhere near the Mexican or Belizean border, verify the distance to the border with your lawyer. Corrected 8 October 2026: this paragraph used to describe the strip only as restrictions on foreign ownership.

Market Considerations

Tourism-driven demand: The Flores-Tikal corridor sees consistent tourist traffic. Airbnb and booking.com properties perform well during high season (November-April) and Semana Santa. Short-term rental yields can offset low property prices.

Infrastructure limitations: The nearest large hospital is the Hospital Regional de San Benito, Petén, in San Benito, next to Santa Elena. TAG and Avianca fly Guatemala City to Flores daily in about an hour; no published airfare could be verified on 12 September 2026, so check the airlines.

Environmental regulations: Much of Peten is protected (Reserva de la Biosfera Maya). Construction near protected areas requires environmental impact assessments. This limits development but also preserves the natural beauty that attracts visitors.

Climate: Peten is hot and humid, especially March-May (35C+/95F+). Budget for fans or AC, which increases electricity costs significantly compared to highland cities.

Where to Find Listings

  • Facebook Groups – “Casas en Venta y Alquiler Peten,” “Flores Peten Guatemala”
  • Encuentra24 – Limited but available
  • Word of mouth – Essential in small markets. Spend time in Flores, ask around.
  • Local real estate contacts – Ask at hotels and restaurants for recommendations

Related: Peten Department | Archaeological Sites Guide | Cost of Living

Rental channels are listed above; sale prices come from the live listings feed linked below.

Sale listings: Flores and Petén sale listings — every agency in one grid