Flores is the capital of Guatemala's Petén department and occupies a small island in Lake Petén Itzá, connected to the mainland by a causeway. The compact island is known for its colorful buildings, narrow streets, waterfront promenade, and views across the lake. Flores also serves as a base for exploring the archaeological and natural attractions of northern Guatemala. The island's architecture reflects several influences, including Caribbean, Moorish, and Victorian styles, while restaurants, small hotels, shops, and cafés occupy many of its streets. Santa Elena and San Benito extend the urban area across the lake's southern shore.

Flores has strong connections to the Maya Itzá heritage of the Petén region. The island's central area includes the Cathedral of Our Lady of Remedies and Saint Paul of the Itzá, as well as Parque Central, where local activity centers around the main plaza. Traditional celebrations include the city's patronal festival and other community events featuring music, processions, and local food. The wider Petén region preserves Maya traditions through communities where the Itzá language, customs, and knowledge remain part of local identity. Flores therefore functions as both a modern regional center and an entry point to the cultural heritage of Petén.

Lake Petén Itzá surrounds Flores and provides opportunities for swimming, boating, kayaking, and viewing the wooded shoreline from the island's malecón. The city is also a starting point for visits to Tikal National Park, where temples, palaces, plazas, and other Maya structures stand within tropical forest. Other archaeological destinations in the wider region include Yaxhá, Nakum, Naranjo, Uaxactún, and El Mirador. The surrounding Maya Forest supports diverse wildlife, including monkeys, tropical birds, and several wild cat species, while protected areas preserve wetlands, forests, and freshwater habitats across Petén.

Food in Flores reflects Petén's regional character, with local restaurants and markets offering traditional Guatemalan dishes alongside recipes associated with the area's Maya and Caribbean influences. The island is also known for its lakeside dining, where restaurants and cafés make use of views across Lake Petén Itzá. A distinctive local event is Las Mesitas, a gastronomic celebration featuring small tables and traditional foods. Flores' island setting is itself an unusual feature: its historic center occupies a compact landform surrounded by the lake, while the causeway links it directly with Santa Elena and the broader road network of northern Guatemala.