This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in El Remate.
El Remate is a small town in Guatemala on the eastern shores of Lake Peten Itza. It is on the main road between Flores and Tikal, so a lot of people choose to stay here instead of one or the other. you can get here on any of the buses that run between the two cities from the airport in Flores or you can cross the nearby border from Belize. If you’re in Guatemala City, you will need to fly to Flores (one hour flight) or take an overland bus (nine hours, or more). Keep in mind that you should only buy tickets from an office, as any street tickets sold might be counterfeit.
The town of El Remate is a tourist haven. Right on the lake, its full of boutique shops, eco-friendly hotels, and small restaurants and cafes catering to the travellers. The town is very spread out along the lake shore, so if you don’t want to walk far, you should pick a hostel near the centre of town. There are also plenty of guesthouses and inexpensive hotels should a hostel (“hostal” in Spanish) be booked up!
El Remate is known for its woodcarvers who work mainly in woods found in the nearby jungle. Their carvings are often elaborate Mayan figures but they can make anything, big or small. The shops in town are great for picking up a piece or two, but Tikal - the Mayan ruins - is definitely the main attraction in the area. Your hostel can arrange tours for you - most buses leave in the morning and return in the mid afternoon. Another, less crowded Mayan ruins is at Yaxha, but you may need to arrange your own transport. The lake in El Remate is a great place to relax at when you’ve finished exploring the ruins, hiking, or mountain biking in the jungle.
Written by local enthusiast for El Remate hostels
Jakob Lombardi
