Getting There
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Information on getting to and from El
Remate, Flores, Petén, Guatemala. We try to give you the best
available information, but schedules and conditions change without
notice so try to check before traveling.
BY AIR  Flights to Flores arrive from Guatemala City everyday. Taca has three flights weekly from Cancun Mexico. There are daily flights to Guatemala City from Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Mexico City and many other international cities. Tropic Air has recently resumed service between Flores and Belize, www.tropicair.com. Local flight schedules change regularly and are often unannounced with the demand so always check. Flights To and From Guatemala City: try Grupo TACA, Tel (502) 2470-8222, (502) 7926 1238, www.grupotaca.com, or TAG, Tel (502) 2360-3038, 2361-1180, www.tag.com.gt Flights To and from Cancun: Grupo TACA, Tel (502) 2470-8222, (502) 7926 1238, www.grupotaca.com Guatemala airport tax of $2.50 for the flights to and from Flores Guatemala country departure tax $30 per person Flights To and From Belize: International flights to Belize arrive daily from Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Newark and others. Check with American Airlines, Continental, Delta, U.S. Airways and Taca. Tropic Air and Maya Island Air are now servicing the Belize-Flores route. If you fly into Belize and choose not to fly to Flores, you will need to take a local bus or shuttle to the Guatemala border and then take a bus Flores or El Remate. Some private shuttles go from Belize City/airport to San Ignacio/border or on to Flores/Tikal, Guatemala. Please check the arriving by Express Bus section further down on this page. At the Belize immigration station there will be a departure tax of $18.75 USD. Also, when leaving Belize by air, the International airport has a departure tax of $35 USD, but this may be prepaid by the airline in your ticket price. Check with your airline. Departure fees are subject to change, check the following website for a full list of the fees and requirements: http://www.belmopancityonline.com/belize-immigration.aspx Please note if you're arriving from Belize and planning to return during your trip, be sure to check immigration requirements for re-entry to Belize. We have had Swiss and Argentina visitors who had a one entry visa and were required to get a new visa for re-entry. If you bring the form we can make your photos (no charge if you are staying with us) and you will be prepared for re-entry. Cost varies depending on your country of origin. *A good option if you arrive to the Belize airport later in the day and wish to rest or not travel late to Guatemala is to stay at the Orchid Garden. It is located only 20 min. from the airport in route to the Guatemala border and offers comfortable accommodation, good food, information and great tours. Transfer from the airport is available. When
arriving to Flores, small car taxis can bring you to La
Casa De Don David for $23 (up to 3 persons). Or if there
are
several other persons traveling in the same minibus you can arrive via
collective minibus for $3.00 per person. BY BUS
There is no formal bus station in Guatemala City or other parts on the country. In bigger towns or cities, there is a large parking area where local buses gather usually called "La Terminal". Be very careful in these areas, as most are often unorganized and crowded. Most services have their private bus station, office or parking place. Buses To and from El Remate and airport or Flores area: There are taxis for $23-$30, or collective minibuses (Q20 = $3.00, best to have change ready). Collective minibuses to Santa Elena/Flores run almost hourly, between 6 am - 2 pm, and from Santa Elena/Flores to El Remate from 6 am - 6 pm. The ride is approx. 30 min. Some experienced travelers not carrying much luggage catch these minibuses on the main road in front of the Flores/Santa Elena airport (about 100 yards away). After 6:00 pm there are none or limited minibuses to El Remate. If you get a minibus going to the Belize border, you may be dropped off in El Cruce “Ixlu”, which is approx. 2 km. from El Remate. From there you must get another bus, taxi or walk 2 kms. to El Remate. If you're interested in renting a car while in the Flores-Tikal area, try Tabarini, Tally, Hertz or other companies. All of these can be found usually at or near the airport. The hotel can arrange a taxi for $23 (up to 3 persons) if you request. Email or call La Casa de Don David, info@lacasadedondavid.com, or 502 7928 8469 Buses To and From Guatemala City: Getting around in Guatemala City as in any big city there are unsafe areas so be careful. It's best to get around by taxi. However, in the city we don't recommend hailing a taxi on the street, the safest way is to call or have your hotel call a formal taxi service company to pick you up. A good option for taxi service to are yellow taxis with meters, Tel. 2470-1515. Making a note of a taxi number or driver's name is helpful if you should encounter any problems. Linea
Dorada offers two types of bus
service from Guatemala City, "luxury" and "economico". The
"economico" is a cheaper overnight option but without amenities and
less comfortable seats, often with several stops along the route. It
departs at 10:00 pm and costs $22 one way. The "luxury" bus is
generally comfortable, faster and often with A/C, toilet & TV, and
fewer stops. Cost is $30 one way, departures at 10:00 am and 9:00 pm. Please note that the companies normally don't guarantee that you will get the services as advertised. Overnight buses arrive to Flores in the early morning and you can take a collective minibus to El Remate arriving around 6 am, cost Q15-25. Just ask the driver to drop you at the hotel entrance. Beware of high pressure ticket salesmen who will offer you a deal that may not work out. Small car taxis charge about $23 (up to 3 persons) to El Remate, and can be found usually where the bus drops you off. Buses To and from Antigua: Antigua is located 23 km from Guatemala City. Visitors traveling to Tikal from Antigua often take a collective shuttle to the Guatemala City airport or individual bus station to continue on to Flores. If you are traveling with several other people, you may find it convenient to take a private shuttle or taxi. Revue magazine is a good source of information when in the Antigua area and traveling through Guatemala. You can pick up a free copy at hotels, restaurants or check their website at www.revuemag.com Buses To and From Rio Dulce: Many buses in route to Flores pass through the Rio Dulce area all day and night including the better buses of Linea Dorada and ADN. Linea Dorada has a small office there. You can contact them for pick up on the main road. Otti Tours in Rio Dulce offers reliable transportation in minibus and taxis. From Livingston: Livingston is only accessible by boat, and the 2 hour ride has spectacular scenery. Collective boats run at 9 and 11 am to Rio Dulce, and almost every hour in the afternoon until 4 pm, cost Q75 pp. Buses To and From Coban: Casa Acuña Hotel has a good shuttle service to and from El Remate, every day leaving Coban via Sayaxche at 8:00 am and leaving El Remate at 8:00 am. The scenic trip is about 8 hours over paved road and cost approx. $24 per person. Several local buses and old shuttles crowded with local people go daily to or from Sayaxche. There is a local bus from the bus station in Santa Elena to Coban at 6:30 am and 12:30 pm BY EXPRESS BUS Please note that the companies normally don't guarantee that you will get the services as advertised. To and
From
Chetumal, Mexico, Belize City and San Ignacio - you
can take the Mundo Maya/Linea
Dorada or San
Juan buses. From
the Chetumal bus terminal it leaves at 6:00 am daily and costs about
$30.
From Belize City the bus leaves at 9:30 am, cost $25.
This is your best deal as this normally comfortable bus reserves
seating and
you can arrange for the
driver to bring you right to the hotel entrance
in El Remate. The Linea Dorada and San Juan buses to El Remate/Flores from Belize City departs the marine terminal in downtown at 9:30 am. The trip is approx. 4 hours, cost $23-25 USD and you can purchase tickets right at the terminal. If you are arriving from Belize on la Linea Dorada or San Juan bus be sure that your ticket destination says Hotel La Casa De Don David and the driver will bring you to the hotel entrance. Getting to the marine terminal from Belize City International airport you can take a taxi for around $20 USD.
There are no scheduled buses that go from San Ignacio to Flores or El Remate. Most people arrive by minibus or local bus to the Cruce Ixlu (crossroad). You
can
take the
9
mile ride from San Ignacio to the Belize-Guatemala border by taxi or
local bus. Cross
the
border and get a local bus, collective minibus or taxi. Local buses run
almost every hour. If you should be at the border at the time the Linea
Dorada/San Juan buses are returning from Belize City or Chetumal, they
can get
you to the hotel entrance
for about $6. If you are arriving from Belize on
la
Linea Dorada/San Juan bus be sure that your ticket destination says
Hotel La
Casa De Don David and the driver will bring you to the hotel entrance.
Be sure to
tell the driver first. If not they will
drop
you off at the Crossroads about 2 km from the hotel. Better, more
comfortable minibuses go
for about $50 for 5 persons or $70 up to 8 persons. Just
tell to the driver you are going to Hotel La Casa De Don David in El
Remate. At the border, you will almost always find taxis and minibuses
looking for passengers. Bargain your price. Just remember, if
you take transportation that is in route to Flores you will arrive at
the crossroad in Ixlu and need to get another bus or taxi for the 2 km
ride to
our
hotel. Expect to pay about $18.75 USD in departure fees from Belize, even if you are in transit. Save your receipt as it may help with the fee if you plan to return to Belize within a month. Departure fees are subject to change, check the Belize Tourism Board website for a full list of the fees http://www.belmopancityonline.com/belize-immigration.aspxMost visitors pay nothing to enter Belize. US dollars are accepted in Belize almost everywhere and usually for the same exchange rate of 1 USD = 2 BZE dollars). Be careful - many travelers pay double on their first visit. Be sure to clarify if prices are in US dollars or Belize dollars. Bus To and from Palenque, Mexico -
This route must be traveled by
taking a minibus from Palenque to the Mexico/Guatemala border, at which
you must cross the Usumacinta river and then continue on to Flores, and
vice versa if going to Palenque. While in Tourist
often report a lot of
waiting and individuals agressively selling tickets in this area.
Remember nothing
is free
even when sold as such. Many taxi & mini bus drivers convince you
to stay at certain hotels or buy certain services that they get a
commission from. At La Casa
De Don David, we
do not sell tickets or services for the purpose of commission, rather
try to offer the
best service available and at this time do not offer services to or
from Palenque. To and from Placencia, Belize - There are no scheduled buses that go from El Remate or Flores to Placencia. When going to Placencia from El Remate, people usually take a local bus to the Guatemala/Belize border, then after crossing into Belize take a local bus to If arriving from Placencia, you
will probably change buses in Dangriga or If you prefer, there is private taxi or mini bus service (not always available, please ask) from La Casa De Don David to Placencia for $250 one way for 1 to 4 persons ($16 per extra person), 5 to 6 hour ride. If you are in Placencia we can also send a taxi to pick you up (ask availability). This is usually a more affordable alternative to flying. BY CAR Click Here for info about Vehicle Permits for cars from other countries Driving from Flores/Santa Elena: Follow the signs to Tikal. About 30 km from Flores or 2 km past the intersection "Ixlu" or "El Cruce" with the road to the Belize border, you will enter the small, lakeside wood carving village of El Remate. La Casa De Don David is on the left-hand side about 1/2 km after passing the craft shops, which are the first buildings on your left as you enter the village. The hotel is located at the Y junction that separates the main road from the lakeside road. Driving From Belize: Expect to pay an $18.75 USD fee for exiting Belize, however these are subject to change, check with the Belize Tourism Board website for a full list of the fees http://www.belmopancityonline.com/belize-immigration.aspx. Keep your receipt. It may reduce your final departure tax at the airport or border if returning to Belize within 30 days. Expect a little disorder on the Guatemalan side of the border. A car permit will cost around $6 to $10. When bringing a vehicle into Guatemala, customs is now requiring a photocopy of your passport and driver's license. They will direct you to a copier if you do not have one, but it is easier if you have one prepared. At the present time there are no car insurance sales for Guatemala at the border, but you can buy insurance in Flores (not required). After passing immigration and exiting the Guatemala border station, there is a very small toll bridge. Tolls are typically Q5-10, however we have heard of people paying up to Q150. Ask for a "factura" (receipt) and verify that it is for the correct amount. The road between the border and Ixlu (crossroads) is in the slow process of being paved, so expect a half-hour of rough road and then some potholes in the pavement, depending on the current conditions of the road. Be careful. It is about 60 km (approx. 35 mi.) and takes about 1 1/2 hrs. by car, slightly more by bus. From the Ixlu crossroad or junction, take the right turn towards Tikal. To the left you will go to Flores. El Remate and the hotel are towards Tikal about 2 km. away.  is one of the only rental companies who will let
their
vehicles
cross the border from Belize into Guatemala. They have good vehicles at
reasonable prices and will rescue you if you should break down. Contact
Lucio L. Landero reservations@crystal-belize.com
or www.crystal-belize.com
Tel:
501-2-31600; Fax
501-2-31900
Belize toll free: 0-800-777-7777PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION There is minibus service available with A/C and a driver who speaks a bit of English, which can be arranged through the hotel. Prices are for 1-8 persons (unless specified otherwise) and if requested, one or two short stops can be made along the way to visit local attractions. To and
From El Remate: At
present time, private transportation from Belize not always
available. Please ask. If you would like a fluent English speaking guide on your trip, add $60 per day Generally the price is less if one or two people go in a small taxi or if the minibus has no A/C. |
 Cerro Cahui and Lake Petén Itzá  La Casa De Don David entrance |
