On the eastern shore of Lago de Petén Itzá, 30km from Santa Elena on the road to Tikal, the quiet and friendly village of EL REMATE offers a pleasant alternative to staying in Flores and makes a convenient base for visits to Tikal. Getting to El Remate is easy: all minibuses to Tikal pass through the village, or catch any bus heading for the Belize border and get off at the village of Puente Ixlú (also called El Cruce), from where it's a two-kilometre walk down the Tikal road. Returning to Flores , three local buses pass through El Remate between 5.30am and 8am and a swarm of minibuses from Tikal also ply the route - there are more from midday onwards.

On the north shore of the lake, 3km along the road from the centre of El Remate, the Biotopo Cerro Cahuí (daily 6am-4pm; US$5) is a 6.5-square-kilometre wildlife conservation area comprising lakeshore, ponds and some of the best examples of undisturbed tropical forest in Petén. The smallest and most accessible of Petén's reserves, it contains a rich diversity of plants and animals, and is especially recommended for birdwatchers. There are hiking trails, a couple of small ruins and two thatched miradores on the hill above the lake; pick up maps and information at the gate where you sign in, close to the El Gringo Perdido hotel. Unfortunately there have been attacks on visitors inside the Biotopo, so check the current security situation before setting out.

There's lots to explore in the rich tropical environment around El Remate, including boat tours of the eastern end of the lakeshore operated by the Casa de Don David . Plenty of places also rent out canoes for a dollar an hour.