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Voykit pocket guide · Guatemala
El Remate
Stay 1‑2 days in El Remate as a quiet lakeside base for Tikal (45 min drive) and lake activities; reach by minibuses from Flores.
El Remate is a small village on the east shore of Lake Petén Itzá, offering cheap lakeside lodging, bike‑friendly roads and easy access to Tikal. One full day covers the ruins; a second day lets you relax by the lake or visit nearby sites like Nakum.
- Country
- Guatemala
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rainy)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- GTQ
- Money
- Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q). Cards work in Antigua hotels and restaurants; markets, lake villages and shuttles often need cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget Q150–250 excl. bed · Mid Q250–400 excl. bed · High Q400+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Tigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 122 · Tourist assistance 1500
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US plugs fit; power cuts in storms.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.; Guides (Tikal, volcanoes): Q50–100 per person per day.; Shuttle drivers: Q10–20.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.
Get in
By air
- FRS · Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores)
- Taxi to El Remate about US$20; minibuses Q20 from Santa Elena
Typical fares
- Minibus Flores → El Remate
- Q20 per person, about 30 min (check schedule)
- Taxi from Mundo Maya Airport
- US$20, 20 min
- Hotel shuttle to Tikal
- Q70 roundtrip, ~1 h total (check with hotel)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The village centre is walkable; rent a bicycle for lakeside roads. Minibuses run irregularly; many hotels provide shared shuttles to Tikal and Flores.
See and do
Known for
- Lake Petén Itzá
- Gateway to Tikal
- Quiet lakeside stays
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tikal | Hotel or shared minibuses, about 45 min drive | ≈ 1 h roundtrip |
| Nakum (Maya ruins) | Arrange guide from Flores or Santa Elena; 4×4 needed on unpaved road | ≈ 3 h total |
Sleep
- La Casa de Don David
- Rooms $20‑33 pp, A/C, hot water, lake view; internet $4/hr
- La Casa de Doña Tonita
- Family‑run hostel, double rooms $3 pp, dock on lake
- El Gringo Perdido
- Cabins $40 pp, meals included, lake swimming
- Hotel Camino Real Tikal
- Luxury hotel 5 km (3.1 mi) from Tikal, higher priceLuxury hotel 3.1 mi (5 km) from Tikal, higher price
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Holaola |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwanto kwesta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?donde esta el baño |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'buenos días'; in villages a softer handshake; avoid: Rushing straight to business
- Photography: Ask first and accept a no; avoid: Photographing children
- Churches: Covered shoulders, quiet; avoid: Flash during ceremonies
- Bargaining: Smile, make an offer, walk away politely; avoid: Haggling over a few quetzales with weavers
Scams and watch-outs
- Minibuses are infrequent – plan ahead or use hotel shuttles.
- Nightlife is minimal; bring your own drinks.
- Roads can be muddy in the rainy season.
El Remate is generally safe for tourists; keep valuables secure and be aware of limited medical facilities.
One and two days
No timed day plan for El Remate yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Lake Petén Itzá
- Gateway to Tikal
- Quiet lakeside stays
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – El Remate coordinates: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: El Remate, revision 5311075 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5311075
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/el-remate). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.