Fodor's Expert Review Centro de Información sobre la Naturaleza, Cultura, y Artesanía de Petén

In the 1800s, before it was a departure point for travelers headed for the ruins, Flores was called Devil's Island because of the prison on top of the hill (a church stands there now). Since 1994 the building has been home to the Centro de Información sobre la Naturaleza, Cultura, y Artesanía de Petén. This center has a small museum with photographs of the region and information about local resources, such as allspice, chicle (a chewing-gum base made from tree sap), and xate (a shade palm used in floral decorations). A gift shop sells wood carvings, woven baskets, cornhusk dolls, and even locally made peanut butter.