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Two short climbs above Lake Petén Itzá: forest loops in a small reserve at El Remate where spider monkeys crash through the canopy, and a lookout tower on the San Miguel peninsula facing the colourful island of Flores.
Lake Petén Itzá is 32 kilometres long, ringed by low forested hills. Two easy walks climb above it, one wild and one a short boat ride from your hotel.
At El Remate on the east shore, the Biotopo Cerro Cahuí protects a hill of tropical forest. Two loops start at the ranger hut: Los Escobos in about 1.5 hours, and Los Ujuxtes in up to three, both reaching lookouts 150 metres above the lake. Entry is about Q40; arrive at seven for spider and howler monkeys, toucans and parrots, then swim off the dock at the entrance.
From Flores, a shared boat crosses in about five minutes to San Miguel, where a 25-minute path climbs through the overgrown mounds of Tayasal, a Maya site, to the wooden Rey Canek tower with the island town spread out below. Mosquito repellent for both, and a hat; the lookouts are in full sun by ten.
Cerro Cahuí in the morning, Tayasal for the evening light.
Pay at the hut at the Biotopo entrance on the north-shore road and choose your loop.
Climb through ramón and sapodilla forest, watching for spider monkeys and toucans in the canopy.
Reach the miradors over the lake's eastern arm; Los Ujuxtes adds a longer loop and more lookouts.
Back at the entrance, swim from the dock in the clear lake water.
Back in Flores, take a boat to San Miguel and climb through the Tayasal mounds to the Rey Canek lookout for sunset over the island.
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Colectivos on the Tikal road stop at El Remate, about 45 minutes from Flores; the Biotopo is a short walk along the north-shore road.
Shared lanchas leave from Flores' north shore when full, a few quetzales each way, until early evening.
Cerro Cahuí pairs well with a night in El Remate before an early Tikal visit.
Flores practical notes →Wikimedia Commons photographs are used under their licences; Pexels photographs under the Pexels licence.
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