Major city · Guatemala
San JoséSan José, Petén
Skip as a base: a quiet lakeside village with unrestored Maya ruins. Visit Motul de San José as a half-day trip from Flores or El Remate, then leave.
San José is a small village on the north shore of Lago Petén Itzá, 4 km south of the unrestored Maya site Motul de San José. It has a few lakeside lodges and a pizza place but no major sights or services. Most travellers use it as a quick detour from Flores or El Remate, not a stay.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, muddy trails)
- Airport
- FRS
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San José110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San José, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetySan José is safe by day; after dark, take a taxi or tuk-tuk between the village and lodges.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFRS Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores) (About 30 km (19 mi) south; taxi or shuttle to San José, about 40 min).FRS Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores) (About 19 mi (30 km) south; taxi or shuttle to San José, about 40 min).
- Getting aroundWalk the village.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk from village to Motul ruinscheckQ50–100
- Metro or bus rideBus to FlorescheckQ15–25
- Budget bedBasic lodge room, a night, per roomGTQ 200
- Mid-range bedBasic lodge room, a night, per roomGTQ 350
- High-end bedBasic lodge room, a night, per roomGTQ 600
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 250 · Mid GTQ 450 · High GTQ 800
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FRS Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores) (About 30 km (19 mi) south; taxi or shuttle to San José, about 40 min)FRS Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores) (About 19 mi (30 km) south; taxi or shuttle to San José, about 40 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Sep (17 rain days), driest Mar (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San José: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
16 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
17 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
15 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the village. For Motul de San José, take a tuk-tuk or taxi (about 15 min). Bus to Santa Elena/Flores from the main road.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Flores
goDoor to door: 30–40 min
Bus or taxi from San José, about 30 min
Main tourist hub with restaurants, hotels and Tikal tours.
El Remate
goDoor to door: 20–30 min
Bus or taxi, about 20 min east
Lakeside village with better accommodation and access to Tikal.
Tikal
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Shuttle from Flores or El Remate, then 1 h drive
Best as a day trip from Flores, not San José.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lakeshore
A few lodges like Bahía Taitzá with beach access; basic, quiet.
Village centre
Limited options; most visitors sleep in Flores or El Remate.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q200–350 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q350–600 excl. bed
- High
- Q600+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic lodge room1 × 1 night × GTQ 350 | GTQ 350 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × GTQ 450 | GTQ 900 |
| Tuk-tuk to Motul de San José, round trip1 × GTQ 100 · check | GTQ 100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 135 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 743 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 1,485 |
check
2026 estimate in quetzales; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Tuk-tuk from village to Motul ruinscheck | Q50–100 |
| Bus to Florescheck | Q15–25 |
| Pizza at Flores Pizzacheck | Q60–100 |
| Lodge room per nightcheck | Q200–600 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Motul de San José is unrestored and overgrown: wear sturdy shoes, bring water and insect repellent.
- No ATM in the village; bring cash from Flores or Santa Elena.
- Tuk-tuk drivers may overcharge: agree the fare before you ride.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
San JoséSan José, Petén
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
Nearest embassy/consulate in Guatemala City; for emergencies contact the tourist assistance hotline 1500.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- San José → Flores, bus: about Q15–25, 30 min (check)
- San José → Motul de San José, tuk-tuk: about Q50–100 one way (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta ir a las ruinas? — How much to the ruins? (KWAN-to KWES-ta eer a las RWEE-nas)
- Necesito un tuk-tuk — I need a tuk-tuk (neh-seh-SEE-to oon took-took)
- ¿Dónde está el lago? — Where is the lake? (DON-deh es-TA el LA-go)
- ¿Tiene una habitación? — Do you have a room? (TYEH-neh OO-na ah-bee-ta-SYON)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San José. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, muddy trails) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place page for Motul de San José with trail conditions and guide contact.
- Lodge pages with verified rates and lake access.
- Tuk-tuk fare fixture from San José to Motul.
Sources
Ask about San José
Loading…
Was this useful?