Discovering Guatemalan Cuisine

Flores Guatemala street

When we arrive in Santa Elena, coyotes surround us. These men are fighting for our business. “No, gracias” I say a billion times. We elbow our way out of the bus station and walk down the busy street toward Isla de Flores. 

I’m desperate for a bathroom and some food: Burger King offers both. Yes. My first meal in Guatemala is at Burger King. Don’t judge. 

Isla de Flores is a tiny island in Lake Petén Itzá in northern Guatemala.

It is so small you can walk slowly around the whole island in less than an hour. 

Flores Guatemala Bridge

Flores Guatemala Prominade

Flores Guatemala Street

Christmas is already everywhere here...
Christmas is already everywhere here…

Flores Guatemala Flooded Street

We don’t have a hotel reservation, so we wander the streets, stopping at a handful of places to ask about prices and view our options. Cafe Yaxha gets our business despite the fact that most backpackers stay at Los Amigos. Yaxha offers a private room with a bathroom and a hot shower for just $140 quetzales/night (about $18 USD/night). 

Flores is for tourists; Santa Elena is for locals. Despite being filled with restaurants, we have a difficult time finding a good meal in Flores. Menus are filled with pastas and hamburgers.

Where is the local cuisine?

Pasta Flores Flores Salad

I see a food vendor along the lake shore and decide to try it. Eating vegetarian is really hard from street vendors and even more difficult when I don’t speak Spanish well. I get three tostadas topped with watery guacamole, a ramen noodle salad, and a mayo-drowned veggie salad not unlike something I would see at a Minnesota potluck. No spice. The locals are eating it up and we are underwhelmed. 

Two Mojitos for 15 quetzales

The best food we find is at the airport cafe.

We only find this cafe because of our debit card not working in any ATM – a distressing situation to say the least.

After trying to get cash from a couple of banks nearby, we are directed to the airport bank. A quick swipe of my card and the teller hands me my cash. So simple. We are elated.

The airport cafe has coffee, and we have cash. In fact, they have delicious coffee, a wonderful plate of fruit, and great eggs with a spicy salsa. Finally some flavor! We eat here twice. The owner remembers us like we are regulars

Airport cafe fruit plate

Flores is adorable, but Santa Elena has more character. If we find ourselves here again, I want to stay in Santa Elena.

TukTuk Taxis in Flores

Flores Snapshot

Cafe Yaxha: Hostel is above the cafe. The room is large and has two twin beds, one double bed and a balcony. The street is loud but the view is beautiful. WIFI, hot shower, towels, soap, and maid service. Main dishes in the cafe are $55-100 quetzales each. 

Airport Cafe: 45 minute walk from Flores or 10 minute ($10 quetzales/person) taxi ride. Two coffees, a large plate of fruit, and a breakfast combo is about $100 quetzales. 

ATM is located in the supermarket.

At dusk go to the park square to listen to the birds. 

3 thoughts on “Discovering Guatemalan Cuisine”

  1. Thank you for sharing your stories! There are a couple of non-mom related highlights of my day. One is getting the mail and the other is reading your blog!

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