Flores, Guatemala: Best Money Exchange Spots

If you're travelling from Belize to Flores in Guatemala, you'll be arriving at the last major Mayan outpost to resist the Spanish conquistadors. Today, Flores is a colourful island town, full of red-roofed colonial buildings, cobbled streets, and plenty of hotels, souvenir shops and restaurants.

There are a few ways to get to Flores from Belize. You can take a speedboat from San Pedro to Belize City, and then a bus to Flores. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from San Ignacio to the Guatemalan border, and then a colectivo to Santa Elena, before taking a tuk-tuk to Flores. There are also shuttle services available from Belize City and Belmopan, which include air conditioning and border assistance.

When it comes to exchanging money, it's worth noting that there is no ATM at the border. You can exchange money with money changers before the Belizean border, or between the two borders, but they will only accept USD for Quetzal. You can also exchange money at the bank in Flores, but they will only accept pristine $100 USD bills.

Exchanging money at the border

When travelling from Belize to Guatemala, the currency changes from the Belize Dollar (BZD) to the Quetzal (GTQ). While it is possible to exchange money at the border, it is not recommended, as border crossings may not offer the best exchange rates. It is often better to exchange your currency at banks or authorised exchange offices in larger towns or cities.

If you do decide to exchange money at the border, be aware of potential scams. Only exchange money with authorised vendors, and be cautious of anyone approaching you to offer money-changing services. It is recommended to carry some US Dollars, as they are widely accepted in both Belize and Guatemala, especially in tourist areas.

When exiting Belize, you will need to pay a departure tax of around 20 US Dollars (or 40 BZD) in cash. Additionally, make sure you have your passport, which must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.

Upon entering Guatemala, you will need to present your passport and fill in the necessary forms. There may also be an entrance fee, usually around 4 US Dollars or 40 Quetzales. However, this fee is not always enforced, and you can avoid paying it by requesting a receipt.

In summary, while it is possible to exchange money at the Belize-Guatemala border, it is generally recommended to use authorised vendors in larger towns or cities for better rates and to avoid potential scams.

Using ATMs in Flores

Flores is a small island town in Guatemala, attracting travellers due to its proximity to Tikal, the most famous Maya ruin in Guatemala. It is connected to the mainland town of Santa Elena by a causeway.

There are a few options for using ATMs in Flores. There are two ATMs in Flores – one next to Hotel Petén and another at the supermarket on Calle 30 – that allow cash withdrawals from Visa cards. There is also an ATM in the Green Monkey Hostel, although it is unclear what type of cards this machine accepts. If you have a Mastercard or Maestro card, you may have better luck crossing the causeway to the mainland and using the ATM in the supermarket on the ground floor of the Mundo Maya International Mall. There are also a few banks in this shopping centre.

If you are coming from Belize, it is recommended to exchange your leftover Belize Dollars (BZD) for Quetzales (GTQ) at the border. Money changers will approach you before the Belizean border, and there are also men who will exchange your money between the two borders, although they only accept USD for Quetzales.

It is also possible to change money in Flores, although one traveller reported that they found it a little difficult. Pristine $100 USD bills can be exchanged at the bank, but no other currencies or notes.

ATMs can be found inside convenience stores or food marts at gas stations in Santa Elena, the adjacent town to Flores. However, it is recommended to avoid the unguarded ATMs located outside certain banks in Antigua and around Lake Atitlan, where people have previously experienced problems.

If you are flying into Flores, there is no ATM at the airport, but there is one across the road at Banrural.

Shuttle services from Belize City to Flores

Shuttle services are available from Belize City to Flores, with several companies offering transport. The journey takes around 5-6 hours and usually includes a border crossing from Belize into Guatemala.

Gekko Trails Explorer

Gekko Trails Explorer offers a shuttle service from Belize City to Flores, with air conditioning and border assistance. The shuttle departs from the Atlanta Store in the San Pedro water taxi terminal in Belize City at 12:00 PM, arriving in Flores at 6:00 PM. Passengers are allowed one backpack and one handbag, with additional luggage incurring an extra fee. The cost of this service is not stated.

Adrenalina Tours

Adrenalina Tours offers a shuttle service from Belize City to Flores, with a door-to-door service. The shuttle departs from the 'I Love Peten' sign at the entrance of Flores. The cost of this service is not stated, but there is a $5 fee for each additional bag.

VIAJES MAYAN WORLD

VIAJES MAYAN WORLD offers a bus transfer service from Belize City to Flores, with air conditioning and a focus on sanitary measures for COVID-19 prevention. The shuttle departs from the San Pedro water taxi terminal in Belize City, with the exact time to be confirmed. The cost of this service starts at $20.

Fuentes del Norte

Fuentes del Norte offers a shared bus service from Belize City to Flores, with reclining seats. The shuttle departs from the YO AMO PETEN LETTERS and arrives at the San Pedro Water Express in Belize City. The journey takes 5 hours, and tickets cost $22.

Marlin Espadas

Marlin Espadas operates a shared minivan service from Belize City to Flores, with a capacity of 15 passengers. The shuttle departs from the entrance of Flores and arrives at the Water Taxi Station in Belize City. The journey takes 5 hours, and tickets cost $25.

Marvelus Travel

Marvelus Travel provides a similar service to Marlin Espadas, with a shared minivan service for 15 passengers. The shuttle departs from the entrance of Flores and arrives at the Water Taxi Station in Belize City. The journey takes 5 hours, and tickets cost $21.

Border fees and scams

There is no entry or exit fee for Guatemala. However, some travellers have reported paying 10 quetzales, which is equivalent to around $1.30. If you are asked for this fee, ask for a receipt, and the requestor will likely change their mind. This amount is actually what a foreigner would pay for each day they overstay their 90-day visa.

There is an exit fee for Belize, which is a combination of fees: a border exit fee ($30 BZD), a charge if you've been in Belize for more than 24 hours ($7.50 BZD), and a border development fee ($2.50 BZD). This comes to a total of $40 BZD, or $20 USD, payable in either US dollars or Belizean dollars.

When travelling from Belize to Guatemala, it is best to exchange money at the border, as it will be difficult to find money exchange shops for Quetzales in Belize and vice versa.

The Guatemalan border is known for scams. For example, taxi drivers may try to convince you to take short taxi rides over the bridge, and locals may attempt to charge you made-up entry fees. Be wary of this.

When taking the bus from Belize City to Guatemala, there is a $.250 BZD 'border management fee'.

When travelling by land, it is very simple to get from San Ignacio to Flores using local transport. The entire trip will cost $5 BZD and Q35 per person (around $7.50 USD). You can take a taxi from the top of Church Street, making sure it is a taxi from San Ignacio with a BVO license plate. This will cost you around $5 BZD per person.

To exchange your leftover BZD to Quetzal, do this with the money changers who will approach you before the Belizean border. They also take USD. There are also men who will change your money between the two borders, but they will only accept USD for Quetzal.

Once you get past Guatemalan customs, walk approximately 100 metres over a bridge. Take the first left past the bridge, and you will see a lot with a few colectivos on the right. Just ask which bus is going to Flores, and they will direct you. Expect to pay Q30 per person for a colectivo to Santa Elena. This bus will actually drop you off in Santa Elena, the town across the bridge from Flores. From there, you can take a tuk-tuk to Flores, which will cost Q5 per person.

Getting to Flores from the Guatemalan border

Once you've crossed the Guatemalan border on foot, walk about 100 metres over a bridge and take the first left. You'll see a few colectivos (shared taxis) on your right. Ask which one is going to Flores, and expect to pay around Q30 per person to Santa Elena.

Note that this bus will actually drop you off in Santa Elena, the town across the bridge from Flores. From there, you can take a tuk-tuk to Flores for around Q5 per person.

Getting to Flores from Belize

If you're coming from San Ignacio in Belize, you can take a taxi from the top of Church Street to the Guatemalan border. Make sure it's a taxi from San Ignacio with a BVO license plate, which should cost you around $5 BZD per person.

At the border, you can exchange your leftover BZD to Quetzal with the money changers who will approach you before the Belizean border (they also take USD). There are also money changers between the two borders, but they only accept USD for Quetzal.

Where to Change Money in Flores

There are two ATMs in Flores that allow cash withdrawals from Visa cards: one next to Hotel Petén and another at the supermarket "Fotomart" at Calle 30 de junio. There is also an ATM in Green Monkey Hostel, although it's unclear what cards this accepts.

If you have a Mastercard or Maestro card, you may need to cross the causeway to use the ATM in the supermarket on the ground floor of the Mundo Maya International Mall. There are also a few banks in the shopping centre.

Where to Stay in Flores

Most travellers head straight to Los Amigos, the main backpacker hub with internet access, a book exchange, and an on-site bar/restaurant. It also has an open courtyard filled with trees, fountains, and hammocks. However, they have been known to inflate the prices of their tours and transport, so it's worth shopping around before booking anything.

Other options include Ciao Cacao Hostel & Cafe, which offers a spacious tropical garden, and Hotel Mirador del Lago, which has a bar with great views over the lake and free kayak use.

Things to do in Flores

The majority of travellers use Flores as a base for exploring the ruins of Tikal or adventurous treks around Peten. It's also worth taking some time to walk around the island (it only takes about 15-20 minutes to walk the perimeter) and see the colourful houses and hang out with locals in Parque Central.

In the early evening, the island's residents usually go for a dip in the lake, so join them to wash away the dirt and sweat after a day of trekking. Most hostels and hotels also let you take a kayak for free, so you can go for a paddle around Lago Petén Itzá.

Where to Eat & Drink in Flores

It's easy to stumble across a cheap cafe or restaurant on the island. Both Los Amigos and Hotel Mirador del Lago have on-site eateries, but if you want to go elsewhere, there are plenty of options.

For vegetarian and vegan options, try Ciao Cacao Hostel & Cafe or San Telmo Restaurant. For craft beer, head to Pasteur, a small but modern bar that brews with local ingredients such as jasmine and lemongrass. For cheap breakfasts, good coffee, and smoothies, check out Cool Beans / El Cafe Chilero near the causeway by the Flores bus stop.

Frequently asked questions