Where we are

Tucked away on a quiet shore of the beautiful Lake Peten Itza, our village of El Remate is home to around 250 families, surrounded by the luscious rainforests of northern Guatemala and an absolutely breathtaking array of wildlife. Howler monkeys, toucans, the Montezuma Oropendola (a beautiful bird local to our region of Peten with a wonderfully unique song), ocelots in the nearby Tikal National Park, and capuchin and spider monkeys are just some of our fascinating neighbors here in El Remate.

The rainforests themselves are the lifeblood of the naturally vibrant region of Peten, which comprises the whole of northern Guatemala. Ancient rainforests dotted with world-renowned Mayan temple complexes cover almost all of this area; the largest of these, Tikal, is just a short journey from our town. The Selva Maya is the Mayan rainforest, which extends through Guatemala to Belize and Mexico.

El Remate has been inhabited by Mayan people for thousands of years. Family is the cornerstone of every home, with several generations living together in small complexes comprising numerous buildings and outdoor communal areas. The homes are built with breezeblocks or wooden slats and have corrugated iron rooves; some have concrete floors but most floors are comprised entirely of compressed dirt.

The outdoors is integral to life here; with warm to hot weather throughout the year, most of life takes place outside. Pigs, dogs, chickens, turkeys, ducks and cats live amongst the families and wander the streets, popping into the local shops (tiendas) to say hi. There are two local schools, churches, cafes and a bi-weekly fresh produce market. Tourists visit en route to and from Tikal to enjoy a sunset or two over the 47-km long Lake Peten Itza and relax in the quiet atmosphere.