We've got two nights to spend in the Tikal area; We are
considering spending one night in (or around) El Remate and
the second night in Flores.
Any other suggestions for itinerary? I would appreciate
recommended names of lodging. $15 - $50/room OK. We are
thinking of the Gringo Perdido place near Remate. Any
great restaurants? Are these safe towns at night?
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El Ramate is perfectly safe. I stayed at the Gringo
Perdido for five or six dollars in one of the shared rooms
(dormitory). The food here in fine. Consider taking the
little boat cruise each evening for I think about
USD$4.50. It's run by a young Guatemalan who is engaged or
married to a young Canadian gal. He will take you out to
the middle of the lake for a swim, take you up one of the
lake's "fingers", and get you back to the Perdido just
after sunset.
Although I didn't stay in Flores, I did spend two nights in
Tikal; really worth it. I stayed at the Jungle Lodge (I
think that was the place...it's the closest to the entrance
of the park) and paid USD$20 per night for a shared
bathroom. They have a pool which is okay and Tikal is a
fun place to hang. Eat at the one of the paladors (sp?)
where you'll meet all the other travelers staying in the
area (much cheaper than eating at the lodges). Have fun!!!
... but find the bucks to stay two nights at Tikal, in order
to give yourself at least one full day there. I wish it were
cheaper but that's the breaks. You won't regret it: you
need the time and the nights are hauntingly beautiful, not
to mention the sheer convenience. We planned on staying in
El Remate but found the place rather desolate and
unappealing, admittedly a minority opinion, but in terms of
bang per buck we know we did the right thing.
Listen to Larry, he speaks the truth- the place is not that
cool durring the mid day (crowds) but by 3:00 the place is
almost empty, same for early AM don't miss it, stay one
night for su
Head to La Luna? for dinner if you get to Flores.
Try the fish (from the lake)...my best meal in over a month!
Head to La Luna? for dinner if you get to Flores.
Try the fish (from the lake)...my best meal in over a month!
Gringo Perdido is not such a nice place. Try by all means
to stay inside the park. If the hotels (2) are full you can
go over to the camping area and rent camping equipment.
What's the big deal? We just went camping there underneath
a large tree inhabited by a clan of spider monkeys and were
serenaded by a howler monkey during the night. Around 5:30
AM it's difficult to sleep because all of the jungle
inhabitants wake up and create a most impressive symphony
of sounds. Besides that leaves you early at the park
instead of driving 45 minutes from the touristy places.
El Mirador del Duende at El Remate is one of those places
that you just don't want to leave - overlooking the lake
with good vegetarian food and open cabanas for 30Q or
hammock space for 15Q, friendly owners etc. I loved the
village - late afternoons swimming in the lake and just
generally chatting with whoever is hanging about by the
jetty is a great memory.
We stayed inside the ruins at Tikal for a 30Q 'fee' paid to
the guides (which I understand has now been stopped but I'm
not sure about that one). ANyway I would highly recommend
staying at least one night up at Tikal whatever way you can
to listen to the wildlife and take advantage of the peace
and tranquility......but make sure you give yourself a day
in El Remate as well. Forget Flores unless you need to go
to a bank. One other bit of advice....there are public
buses every couple of hours from Santa Elena to El
Remate...some people (if they have any connection to travel
agents) will tell you that the only way to get there is in
a collectivo taxi which goes onto Tikal - price charged is
about 30Q either to go to El Remate or all the way to the
ruins.