After the sun rose we checked into our hotel and then walked the streets of the small Island of Flores. Flores is well known for its colorful buildings. It is the most popular tourist base for the Mayan ruins of the north (especially Tikal) due to its touristy charm. The towns San Benito and Santa Elena on the other side of the causeway are technically closer to the ruins but far less charming and quite a bit grittier.