Tikal visitors looking for hotels should stop at "Tikal Hotel La
Casa De Don David" in El Remate. We welcome your visit.
Secluded in its own jungle garden on Lake Peten Itza, this beautiful
hotel is less than 15 minutes from the entrance to Tikal Park and 25
minutes from Flores.
Don David, with his 25 years living in Peten, has lots of helpful
information. We can offer great tips on how to get the most from your
day in Tikal or on trips to remote areas, etc.
We provide laundry service, cash traveler checks, have bus service to
Tikal, Flores, and also to Guatemala City, Palenque (Chiapas, Mexico), Rio Dulce (Oaxaca, Mexico), Coban,
Belize, and Chetumal (Quintana Roo, Mexico).
The grounds are lush and walkways are of beautifully laid native
rock.
We accept traveler's checks, Guatemala, Belize and U.S. money. We are
located along the lake in the village of El Remate right on the road to
Tikal. Collective Minibus Services pick up and return from the front of
the hotel. Most people find our prices low and a great value.
We hope you come and stay with us. If you arrive without a
reservation and we are full, we will help you find another acceptable
place.
Attractions:
The hotel is a wonderful place to base your Tikal vacation
activities. It is located in the village of El Remate, between Flores
and Tikal. We are very close to a number of important Mayan ruins. The most famous of these Mayans ruins is Tikal but we are also close to Yaxha, Nakun, Uaxactun, Zotz, Motul and
Ceibal. If you enjoy pyramids, archaeology and ancient cultures then you will find our location most interesting.
Also, within 30 minutes are: El Retiro sanctuary & snake
exhibits, the Sky Way (swinging bridges, jungle walks), the Canopy Tour,
Petencito Zoo, & Actun-Can caves.
There are a number of ecologically oriented hiking trails and others
points of interest within easy walking distance or a 10 minute ride.
We offer many tours to many of the Mayan Ruins in the Peten District
and offer many activities in the area. In addition to all local tours in
the El Remate/Flores area, we arrange the following for:
- Mirador
- Rio Azul
- El Retiro
- Bats Tour
- Tikal Ruins
- Zots Ruins
- Macaw Trail
- Ciebal Ruins
- Rio San Pedro
- Uaxactún Ruins
- Uaxactún Ruins
- Lake Peten Itza
- Jungle and Lake
Rooms:
Our clean and modern bungalows and rooms have fans (none of the rooms
are air conditioned), double beds, and tile baths. Most have hot water.
In total, we have 15 rooms and unfortunately, none of our rooms have TV
but this is part of the experience and reality of visiting Guatemala.
The hotel rooms are large, well cared for and most have a view of the
lake. Each hotel room has a private bath and fan with a veranda sitting
area.
The water is clean and filtered. Our guests say food is excellent and
well worth the stop even if you cannot spend the night.
In the U.S. our hotel would be called a motel, cabin or guest house.
There is also a bed and breakfast plan which you can ask about.
Come visit our bed and breakfast, stay in our guest house or bungalows and see how a nice vacation can be. We are not a typical hotel. We sincerely care about our guests, our village, the people of ourvillage, the environment, the Mayan culture and ensuring all have a safe and wonderful visit to Guatemala regardless of whether you are a paying guest or just a traveller passing by.
Restaurant:
The restaurant has a great view of the lake and the lush vegetable
and fruit gardens that make up the hotel grounds. Both local dishes and
international foods are served.
Our restaurant offers home style meals at extremely reasonable
prices. If you are staying in the area or just passing, we welcome your
visit. Breakfast and lunch is served from 6:30 AM to 4:00 PM, dinner is
served at 7:00 PM (rest with reservations).
Tikal hotel lunches are packed every day so you can travel and visit
the Mayan ruins without going hungry! We also have a dinner special
every night. The restaurant closes at 9:00 PM.
Tourist Information:
There are Belize Tourism Information, Guatemala Tourist Information,
Peten Information, and information on other areas, offering maps and
information about area tourist attractions in San Ignacio, Belize,
Mexico, Palenque, Coban, Rio Dulce, Antigua, Guatemala, Copan, Honduras,
and Hotels in many areas.
We have a large variety of guidebooks on Central America and Mexico
for your reading. There is an almost complete laminated collection of
the past articles of the National Geographic about the Maya and other
interesting articles about Central America and Guatemala. Just stop in
and check.
We probably have something to interest you, even if it is just a
piece of Rosita's cheese cake or a glass of fresh lemonade!
About The Village of El Remate:
El Remate is a small village of 200 families located on the east end
of Lake Peten Itza, 30 kilometers from Flores, Peten, Guatemala. Its
famous for woodcarving and this area has the largest variety of hard
woods in Latin America.
Since its location is on the road to Tikal ruins, it is now turning
in to a destination for tourists, especially for those who want to avoid
the congestion of Flores area, and enjoy a small village atmosphere.
Most facilities have running water (which comes from the lake and is
not treated). Four years ago electricity arrived from Flores. Although
power outages are common (lasting approximately 2 - 3 hours). Most
places have no backup generators.
Since all transportation en route to Tikal passes by El Remate, it is
easy to travel by bus or taxi to/from Tikal, Flores, etc. Tourist buses
from Chetumal, Mexico & Belize arrive and depart from El Remate
twice daily. Coming from Guatemala City, there are first class buses
(almost hourly) and several flights arriving in Flores daily. Also there
are flights from Cancun and Palenque, Mexico and Belize City.
There are 14 or more different places to stay in El Remate. A nice
room with bath will cost from $20 - $70 double, and camping is available
from $2 - $6 per person. There are a few places that call themselves
hotels when in fact, they are really are not what a westerner would
expect a hotel to be. Therefore, should you decide to stay elsewhere,
when making reservations be sure to ask and understand clearly what you
are getting, since here, as in other areas of Latin America, a place to
stay may be called a hotel or bungalow, and may actually be a thatch
roof with makeshift beds, with no windows or doors or walls. Even a nice
camp site may be called a hotel, with only half-walls, a roof and a
locker. Just make sure you ask if you have locking doors before you
reserve.
You will find El Remate a pleasant alternative to the congested
Flores/Santa Elena area. The village of El Remate is just beginning to
grow into an attractive tourist area making it an ideal place to base
your vacation time in the area. It is about 25 minutes from Flores, en
route to Tikal.
The bus stops directly in front of the hotel. A police sub station
has recently been added to the village for additional security. Most
phones are cellular and not always reliable. Beginning in late summer of
2003 the area is expected to have full telephone service with internet
access. At present the only hotel that has internet for their guests is
La Casa De Don David. Several hotels currently have cellular service for
use. Some hotels accept traveler's checks or U.S. cash. Be sure to shop
for a good exchange rate.
We here at La Casa De Don David will help you in any way possible,
anytime upon your arrival, just ask. We believe in sustainable tourism
and if we are to reach this goal... it's necessary to get local people
more involved in earning a living from tourism rather than slash &
burn agriculture.
The name El Remate comes from its meaning... the end. Before there
were roads and vehicles in this area, if you were leaving Flores going
to Tikal or in route to the coast in Belize you took a canoe to "el
remate" meaning the end (of the lake) and the easy ride. Continuing
to Tikal meant walking through thick jungle trails or if continuing to
Belize you walked to the next lake, take another canoe to end of the
lake and walk again until you've crossed several lakes and arrive to the
Mopan River which took you to Belize coast.
Bird Watching:
If you enjoy birding, then you will be happy to know that birding is
good right on the grounds!
Furthermore, although some other parks in Central America are better
organized, none offer more for bird watchers than Tikal National Park.
It is no doubt one of the best parks in Central America for bird
watching. Even Costa Rica or Belize National Parks do not surpass the
varieties of birds seen in the Guatemala Peten area.
Many places have good birding and it also is good along the roads. In
El Remate especially look along the road to Biotopo Cerro Cahui Park.
There are free bicycles at the hotel. Certain hours everyday the
Orapendala montezuma can be seen within the hotel garden. Especially
when the bananas are ripe. A list of birds seen in the area is posted in
the hotel information center.
Horseback Riding, Jungle Trips and Swimming:
Horses and guides are available that will pick you up at the front
door. A number of interesting horseback rides are easily accessible
through some of the nearby trails. One takes you to the top of a nearby
mountain for a great view of the lake and sunset. You can take jungle
trips on foot as well into the jungle rainforest areas. There are local
guide services and trips can be from two hours to four or five days.
Rates are reasonable but please be aware that your guide will probably
only speak Spanish.
Jungle walking trips, with a guide, are another option. Some guides
may speak English and can take you to very remote areas. The guides
explain local customs and all about the rainforest and the useful trees
and plants. Especially the medicine plants. We here at La Casa De Don
David offer most of these trips and will help arrange any others. We can
also arrange any of the Ecomaya trips. Ecomaya offers many trips in the
Peten area.
Swimming is great just 200 meters from the hotel. It is best to swim
from a dock and all docks are public in El Remate. The water is clear
and clean and never cold. At the Biotopo park there is a good dock and
you don't pay the park entrance fee to swim. Kayaks and canoes, even
dug-out canoes are for rent from local residents along the way. The
beach is generally not good since the bottom of the lake is white mud
and rocks. There are no sandy beaches.
Lake Peten Itza has more than 100 square kilometers of water and its
surroundings are still sparsely populated. The average water level of
Lake Peten Itza is 110 meters above sea level. Recent studies by the
University of Florida and University of Minnesota show the lake is over
155 meters deep, makings its floor well below sea level. Probably the
deepest and oldest lake in Yucatan peninsula.
Biotopo Cerro Cahui Park:
Just 2 kilometers from El Remate and La Casa De Don David along the
lakeshore road. One trail takes you to the top of Cerro Cahui mountain,
where there are two high lookout points. Take one of several trails up
to the lookout points or "Miradores". You get excellent views
of Lake Peten Itza and the nearby lakes of Macanche and Sal Peten. This
is a birdwatcher's paradise.
The park is operated by CECON, a branch of the Guatemala's University
of San Carlos, and was established for scientific studies. It has more
than 10 kilometers of well kept hiking trails. Visitors often see howler
and spider monkeys, toucans and many varieties of birds, large
butterflies, etc. Birding is common here.
The dock at the entrance of the park is a nice swimming place, with
very clear water swimming and a good picnic area. Not a sandy beach.
Security is good in this park. There are tourist police who will
accompany you on your jungle walk if you like.
Tourist Police:
You probably have heard or read about armed robberies or other
problems in Tikal or other areas of Guatemala. Now, in the areas of
Tikal park, El Remate, Cerro Cahuí, Flores and most of Petén, there
are many new tourist police. They are trained to assist and protect
tourists. Please feel free to ask for their help, and thank them.
We recommend that in the unfortunate experience of being robbed,
don’t run or fight. And please remember: statistics show that over
99.5% of tourists visiting the country of Guatemala have a pleasant trip
with no incidents.
After our first year of having tourist police in the area, we know of
only two reports of robberies affecting tourists in the area. Both were
non-violent and over 40 kilometers away from El Remate. We think its
shear bad luck if you have problems.
Directions:
By Air:
There are daily flights from Guatemala City, Cancun, and Belize.
From Guatemala City:
Its 560 kilometers or a 7 hour drive to El Remate. If you haven't
traveled in Latin America it's probably best to fly. There are several
flight daily, the most in the early morning.
When arriving by air, contact the Martsam Travel Booth in the air
port (first counter on the right as you exit customs). They will bring
you to La Casa De Don David. The price is very reasonable but check
with us before departing so we can give you the most current fee for
this service.
Or the hotel will send a taxis for about the same if you request.
If not traveling with much luggage, you can catch local busses on the
main road in front of the airport (about one hundred yards).
We can provide additional directions if you need them.
