Once a pit stop for travel between Flores and Tikal, Lake Peten Itzá is quickly becoming a destination in its own right. The area around El Remate is home to Petén’s fanciest accommodations, the 72-room Camino Real Tikal and the smaller, more exclusive La Lancha. There are also simpler accommodations, allowing you to take in the serene beauty of this large lake without busting your budget.

On the western shores of the lake, the towns of San Andrés and San José offer pleasant lakeside atmosphere and are an excellent place to learn Spanish. Language instruction here is combined with the opportunity to experience Petén’s rich ecology and even contribute to its preservation while helping to meet the needs of local people. The Itzá culture has largely survived the onslaught of modernity and its people are more than willing to share their proud heritage with visitors.