The largest of these towns is Santa Elena, connected to Flores by a causeway. Flores is a quaint town of about 2,000 people, with cobblestone streets leading to the top of a small hill which forms the center of the island. The town square, church, a small museum and a gift shop with rainforest products are found here. Dawn at Peten-Itz lake. Actun Can cave, found just outside of Santa Elena, has some lovely natural rock formations, including one that looks like a marimba.
Guides are available to show visitors through the cave, which is well-lit and quite large.
In one domed chamber, the Cathedral of Time, the Maya are said to have conducted rituals. At the Paraiso Escondido and Petencito zoological parks, a short trip by car or boat from Flores, visitors will see several animals that are native to the area, such as coatis, spider monkeys, wild pigs, crested guans, jaguars, raccoons, cotusas and deer. Well-maintained walkways at Paraiso Escondido lead to a lookout point with a view of the lake and Flores. At Petencito, a little island just offshore, there are crocodiles, parrots, and macaws, as well as picnic tables and beautiful views of the lake. In the lakeside towns of San Andr s and San Jos near Flores are two Spanish schools where students can also learn about Maya culture and the Maya-Itz language.