In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Guatemala
San José
San 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.
- Country
- Guatemala
- Local name
- San José, Petén
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rainy season, muddy trails)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- GTQ
- Money
- Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q). Cards work in Antigua hotels and restaurants; markets, lake villages and shuttles often need cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget Q200–350 excl. bed · Mid Q350–600 excl. bed · High Q600+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Tigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 122 · Tourist assistance 1500
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US plugs fit; power cuts in storms.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.; Guides (Tikal, volcanoes): Q50–100 per person per day.; Shuttle drivers: Q10–20.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuk-tuk from village to Motul ruins | Q50–100 |
| Bus to Flores | Q15–25 |
| Pizza at Flores Pizza | Q60–100 |
| Lodge room per night | Q200–600 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- FRS · Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores)
- About 30 km (19 mi) south; taxi or shuttle to San José, about 40 minAbout 19 mi (30 km) south; taxi or shuttle to San José, about 40 min
Typical fares
- San José → Flores, bus
- about Q15–25, 30 min (check)
- San José → Motul de San José, tuk-tuk
- about Q50–100 one way (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get 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.
See and do
Known for
- Motul de San José ruins
- Lake Petén Itzá shore
- Quiet village atmosphere
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Flores | Bus or taxi from San José, about 30 min | 30–40 min |
| El Remate | Bus or taxi, about 20 min east | 20–30 min |
| Tikal | Shuttle from Flores or El Remate, then 1 h drive | 1.5–2 h |
Sleep
- Lakeshore
- A few lodges like Bahía Taitzá with beach access; basic, quiet.
- Village centre
- Limited options; most visitors sleep in Flores or El Remate.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much to the ruins? | ¿Cuánto cuesta ir a las ruinas?KWAN-to KWES-ta eer a las RWEE-nas |
| I need a tuk-tuk | Necesito un tuk-tukneh-seh-SEE-to oon took-took |
| Where is the lake? | ¿Dónde está el lago?DON-deh es-TA el LA-go |
| Do you have a room? | ¿Tiene una habitación?TYEH-neh OO-na ah-bee-ta-SYON |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'buenos días'; in villages a softer handshake; avoid: Rushing straight to business
- Photography: Ask first and accept a no; avoid: Photographing children
- Churches: Covered shoulders, quiet; avoid: Flash during ceremonies
- Bargaining: Smile, make an offer, walk away politely; avoid: Haggling over a few quetzales with weavers
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
San José is safe by day; after dark, take a taxi or tuk-tuk between the village and lodges. The ruins are isolated: go with a guide or in a group.
One and two days
No timed day plan for San José yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Motul de San José ruins
- Lake Petén Itzá shore
- Quiet village atmosphere
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: San José (Guatemala), revision 5310599 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5310599
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
San JoséSan José, Petén
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Nearest embassy/consulate in Guatemala City; for emergencies contact the tourist assistance hotline 1500.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/san-jose-guatemala). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.