Flores, Guatemala: Mérida's Direct Flight to Tikal's Doorstep

Mérida will regain a direct flight to Flores, Guatemala, starting Nov. 3, when TAG Airlines relaunches a route it suspended in January.

The airline will fly the route three times a week — Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays — using an ATR 72 aircraft with room for 72 passengers, an upgrade from the smaller plane used previously. The initial schedule runs through Jan. 30, 2027.

During the mornings, the soft sunlight off Lake Petén Itzá has a warmth to it that is simply magical.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
A stelae depicting the Mayan deity known as “God K” fertilizing the earth.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
If one had to choose one word to describe Flores, Guatemala, it would have to be colorful.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Water taxis are the most popular way to get from Flores to the mainland’s several communities and surrounding attractions.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Early in the morning, Flores is very easy-going and relaxed, with only the occasional taxi and jogger making their way through its narrow streets.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
The Island of Flores, Guatemala, is an obligatory stop for all travelers in the Petén region.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Flore’s streets are extremely colorful and full of several styles of architecture.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Several small islands dot lake Petén Itzá in northern Guatemala.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Guatemala’s largest and most famous chain restaurant, Pollo Campero, serves excellent fried chicken.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
The sereque or agutí is a large rodent that inhabits much of the Yucatán Peninsula and Central America.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Tamales are extremely popular in Guatemala and can be found just about everywhere.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
A luxury hotel constructed entirely out of wood was built on the banks of lake Petén Itzá.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Like several other sites in the region, Yaxhá exhibits an interesting mix of architectural styles spanning three millennia.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
One of the best ways to experience Tikal is to take an early-morning tour departing Flores at 4 a.m. to see the sunrise from atop a grand pyramid.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Aerial view of the Island of Flores in the Petén District of Guatemala.Photo: Courtesy
The ruins of once-great cities dot the entire region surrounding lake Petén Itzá.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
A large stone is covered with Maya hieroglyphs in Flore’s main Plaza.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Movement back and forth to the mainland is possible via a bridge, but for a small fee, you can take a small barge — which is honestly much more fun.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Most streets in Flores are quite narrow, so always be aware of oncoming traffic. Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
The Island of Flores is northern Guatemala’s most main tourism hub.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine

Flights will depart Flores at 4:50 p.m. and land in Mérida at 6:10 p.m. The return leg leaves 40 minutes later, arriving back in Flores at 8:10 p.m. The flight takes about one hour and 20 minutes and covers roughly 449 kilometers (279 miles). One-way fares start around US$299, including taxes and a 35-pound baggage allowance.

Flores sits in Guatemala’s Petén department and serves as the main air gateway to Tikal, one of Central America’s most significant Maya cities. From there, TAG Airlines connects onward to Guatemala City, opening further travel within the region.

Francisco José Pahul Merino, the airline’s commercial director, said the route aims to connect Yucatán with Guatemala while also making it easier for travelers to move between destinations across the Maya world. TAG Airlines is hoping to draw visitors from Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador to Yucatán, while also giving travelers from Campeche, Quintana Roo and other southeastern states an easier path into Central America.

Juan José Martín Pacheco, president of Yucatán’s hotel and motel association, said talks about the route date back roughly three years, to discussions held during a Mundo Maya tourism gathering. He called the relaunch an opportunity for hotels, travel agencies and tour operators to build joint packages spanning both countries. The state’s hotel sector currently has more than 17,700 rooms available, he said.

Darío Flota Ocampo, Yucatán’s tourism secretary, said the route should help connect service providers and operators on both sides of the border, expanding the state’s reach in international markets.

Mérida’s international airport handled just over 2 million passengers between January and June 2026, according to Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, the airport’s operator. Of those, about 1.79 million were domestic travelers and 212,632 were international. Guatemala ranks among the top five Latin American countries sending visitors to Yucatán, officials said.

Whether the route lasts beyond its initial three-month window will depend on demand, Por Esto! reported, along with how well hotels and tour operators on both ends can market the connection.