Is Flores safe?
The tourist island is calm and quiet. Mainland towns and long bus journeys carry more crime risk, so travel by day.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2026-03-11.
- Homicide rate in Guatemala: 23.4 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Guatemala: 22.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 122 · Fire 122 · Tourist police 1500.
Safety in Flores at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Bag and phone theft on buses and in hostels, occasional taxi overcharging, and rare robberies on night buses to the border or capital. |
| At night | The island is calm and compact after dark; stay inside it and avoid walking the causeway late. |
| Solo women | Comfortable on the island. Avoid isolated trails at Tikal and arrange rides on the mainland after dark. |
| Other risks | Heat and humidity above 35°C in April–May; Dehydration on long Tikal walks; Mosquito-borne illness such as dengue |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake tour agents offering Tikal trips at inflated prices
- Taxi drivers at bus station quoting double fares
- Border touts at El Naranjo or Belize crossing hawking exchange rates
Take care
- Santa Elena streets after dark: poorly lit, opportunistic theft
- Night buses to Guatemala City: robbery risk, travel by day
- Lake swimming near docks after heavy rain
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Always carry ID; in San Pedro La Laguna police may insist on your original passport.
- Don't photograph Indigenous people, especially children, without permission; it has provoked violent reactions.
- Drug possession brings long sentences in overcrowded, violent prisons.
How Flores compares in Guatemala
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Antigua Guatemala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Flores | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lake Atitlán | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Semuc Champey | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Pedro La Laguna | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Guatemala City | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Quetzaltenango | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Flores safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable on the island. Avoid isolated trails at Tikal and arrange rides on the mainland after dark.
Is Flores safe at night?
The island is calm and compact after dark; stay inside it and avoid walking the causeway late.
What is the crime rate in Flores?
Bag and phone theft on buses and in hostels, occasional taxi overcharging, and rare robberies on night buses to the border or capital. Nationally, Guatemala records 23.4 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Flores?
Police 110 · Ambulance 122 · Fire 122 · Tourist police 1500.
More about Flores
Going to Flores solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- INGUAT, Guatemala Tourism Board
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.