Its a bit out of the way if youre on a short trip, but its well on the backpacker route if you have weeks on your side. You could also visit the Semuc Champey Archaeological Park to learn about the history of the area, and spend more than a day trip in the area to learn about the cultures and traditions of local indigenous communities by visiting local markets and villages. My partner and I are visiting Guatemala and added semuc champey to the holy trinity of flores/Tikal, Antigua and lake atitlan. If you purchase items through these links, we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Required fields are marked *. There is only one viewpoint. Experience Semuc Champey National Park and Kanba Caves on this three-day excursion from Guatemala City. Ultimate Guide to Semuc Champey in Guatemala - Two Wandering Soles How to get from Guatemala City to Flores, Guatemala, How to get from Guatemala City to Atitlan Lake, Guatemala. Semuc Champey is a must if you're in Guatemala for any length of time. Lanquin is the most popular staging ground forvisiting Semuc Champey, a crowning jewel of Guatemala complete with glistening blue pools, dark caves, and navigable waterfalls. Guide To Semuc Champey, Guatemala and Best Things To Do However the folks running it and around merit 1 star at best. We found that most of the things to do in Semuc you can do in one day! I am 73 and a bit infirm Would I be able to walk down to the pools of aqua water? If youre short on time, two nights and one day is fine, but I recommend building in another day and night so you have some time to rest and enjoy the area between the long shuttle rides. There are some pretty waterfalls located at the base of Semuc Champey that you will visit if youre on a tour. For my full review policy click here. ), you might incur some cuts and scrapes. Once you arrive in Lanqun, you will probably have to stay there overnight to catch a pickup truck to Semuc Champey the next morning. Hey guys! I honestly didnt expect it be so fantastic. With this unconventional hour long cave tour, you get to climb a 10ft waterfall, squeeze in between tiny spaces, duck and dodge stalactites, see bats, and swim with one hand while balancing a candle dripping in hot wax in the other. Most hotels in and around Lanquin also offer day tours to Semuc Champey.Paths are wet, rocky, and visibility can be limited: sturdy footwear is recommended. There are a lot of steps for this hike and a moderate work out, I wouldn't recommend if you don't have good knees. Situated in the region of Alta Verapaz in the northeast of Guatemala, Semuc Champey is considered a natural monument for its unique formation, and it is one of the most visited places by travelers coming to explore Guatemala from all over the world. 3 Days in Barcelona: The Perfect Barcelona Itinerary, 30 Star Wars Filming Locations You Can Actually Visit, 10 Best Places to Teach English Abroad and Save Money. Not the cheapest but definitely a nice portion of food with rice, frijoles, pasta, salad, a piece of meat and tortilla. Eduardo was so wonderful to work with, very knowledgable and easy to communicate with. Around 177-miles (285 km) northeast of Guatemala City, Semuc Champey is one of the countrys most spectacular destinationsas famous for its stunning natural pools as it is for the long and bumpy journey out there through the mountains. Get 3 extra months free of ExpressVPN when signing up for a 1-year plan. "In Guatemala, a Torturous Drive to a Remote Eden", Semuc Champey Photos, Videos, and Overview, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Semuc_Champey&oldid=1154836116, This page was last edited on 14 May 2023, at 23:51. Shimmering jewels in the heart of Guatemala. If a picture is worth a thousand words, Ill start the tale of my day visiting Guatemalas gorgeousSemuc Champey waterfalls with a series of images: It was my moment of glory. After tubing, our Semuc Champey tour included a choose your own adventure part of the afternoon. See. No need to worry! Taxi from Guatemala City to Semuc Champey, shared van shuttle from Guatemala City to Semuch Champey, Click here to book a shared shuttle from Guatemala City to Semuc Champey. Take my advice, jump on the back of a truck and get there now!! Semuc Champey is an isolated place near the village of Lanquin, and it can make you wonder what persuades travelers from all around the world to undertake a long journey (8 hours only to get to Lanquin is a norm) to reach this place in the middle of the jungle where still indigenous Maya people live. Get a free quote for your transportation in Guatemala, How to get from Guatemala City to Semuc Champey, Guatemala. There is no reason why they can not use vans or at the least, a pick up truck with simple benches in the back and a maximum quota of, I would say about 12 at most. Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Semuc Champey, 4. Rentalcars compares 900 companies at over 53,000 locations. Overall our visit lasted about 3 hours including travel time to and from the hostel. Admission fee for Cave: Q60 (~$8 US); Cave tours run every half an hour from 9am-3pm. I dont travel with a ton (heres my full packing list), but a few items are so useful it pays to pack them when visiting adventurous destinations like Central America. You never know what will happen and trust us, you dont wanna get stuck with thousands of dollars in medical bills. Semuc Champey is amongst the most popular destinations in Guatemala, and rightly so! Actually, the last question is for Guatemala in general.. Weve been to Asia and we liked to night busses as you dont waste a day traveling, so we would like to know if this is recommanded for Guatemala as well. Parking at the entrance of the park costs 10Q and nationals only pay 25Q to enter. I could even have stayed a day longer & gone to Semuc a second time. It is surrounded by steep mountain cliffs and a lush jungle . We stayed at greengos and this was a great option as its within walking distance to the site (see my seperate review for that). Still, if that hasnt put you off, then you can look at renting a car in the capital or out at the airport and driving to Lanqun. PLEASE SEND INFO SOON MY NIECE AND I ARE PLANNING OUR TRIP RIGHT NOW. Around 177-miles (285 km) northeast of Guatemala City, Semuc Champey is one of the country's most spectacular destinationsas famous for its stunning natural pools as it is for the long and bumpy journey out there through the mountains. Excellent day but CAUTION on the Cave Tour - Review of Semuc Champey Tuesday: explore Semuc Champey all day Semuc Champey is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Guatemala. I also think if youve been the Agua Azul in Mexicos Chiapas region or the waterfalls in Luang Prabang in Laos that youve seen better and that would warrant consideration also in the decision. Even then, you definitely wont be able to return it in Semuc Champey, so if you do choose to rent a car then be prepared to drive it back to where you started. Shared Shuttle from Guatemala City to Semuc Champey, 3. Facebook 49 Twitter 3 Pinterest 94 Email Need to get from Antigua to Semuc Champey? Semuc Champey Guatemala is one of the highlights of most people's visit to Central America. How far is Semuc Champey from Guatemala City? Click here to find out why! I dont know if it was a real experiment or a joke because our guide only managed to freak everyone out. How far is Semuc Champey from Guatemala City? The distance from Guatemala City to Semuc Champey is 182 miles or 293 kilometers. The truck ride in, the hike, the pools and Kan Ba caves. 144 Want to Visit? You can take this 3-day trip from Antigua to Semuc Champey and Cobn. You absolutely want water shoes (myChacosserved me in good stead) and maybe even a rash guard if you are sun sensitive. daily shuttle from Guatemala City to Semuc Champey. If you still want to travel by rental car, we recommend splitting the trip into two stages. Transportation Options from Rio Dulce to Semuc Champey The following table outlines all transportation options from Rio Dulce to Semuc Champey: Getting to Semuc Champey from Rio Dulce 1. Werent sure about this originally as its a 2 day investment (one additional day of travel, one day visiting the site). We started with the hike to the mirador which is a must do if you want that photo. I am sure your kids will love the pools. Note that you can have a box lunch from your hostel, or there are a couple local vendors near the bridge. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We stood in the back of the pickup and it is fun but hard on the arms and body. For us, it would have made more sense to Tikal first and catching Rio Dulce on the way back to Guate City. This issomething you would never be allowed to do in the States (or Europe for that matter), but perhaps thats part of the draw. How to Visit Semuc Champey, Guatemala Wander Her Way Thanks! Transportation Options from Guatemala City to Semuc Champey, Getting to Semuc Champey from Guatemala City, 1. Guatemala City to Semuc Champey (Station) - Rome2rio Last updated: September 12, 2022 Sharing is caring! Nearer to the top another path comes off to the right - which connects to the open portion of the official path and allows one to complete it in a loop rather than a up and down. Semuc Champey, Guatemala: 8 Best Things To Know - My Adventures Across For any future info seekers you wont regret staying longer if you have the time. Be careful as this is a high risk for falls area. I have used IMG Global for more than a decade (heres why), and no matter which company you chose, the last thing you want is a serious injury in rural Guatemala (its EIGHT HOURS by car to the nearest airport and four hours to Coban in Honduras, which does have a hospital). Semuc Champey, Guatemala is a national monument near the small town of Lanquin, Guatemala that is famous for its turquoise-blue natural limestone pools and dramatic scenery. And you shouldnot undertake the waterfall portion barefoot. What fun and so exciting. Prefer a guided tour? Semuc Champey is 11 kilometers south of Q'eqchi Maya town in Languin. If youre keen, you could also bring a headlamp to make the cave adventure easier (and likely safer, too). Zephyr Lodge is amazing and so is the staff there. Many other backpackers had taken turns and flawlessly executed their swing and land into the water. Unfortunately the steep section of the official path was roped of but a second somewhat sketchy shortcut has been constructed nearby. When shes not on the road, you can find her in Miami with her dog Finnegan. Im not a big traveler so I just went with knowing what I was told. Our recommendation: Shared Van Shuttle from Guatemala City to Semuc Champey, 3. From there you have to take another bus to Lanqun. Hey Carolin, getting back is as easy as telling your hostel/hotel. Mesoamerican monoliths and zoomorphic stones covered in royal visages, ancient mythology, and grand celestial events. Wednesday: return to Antigua. No matter where youre coming from or where youre going after, youre in for a LONG travel day each way. My kid LOVED travelling stand-up in the back of a pickup truck. Shuttles run only once in the morning, usually at 7:30 or 8:00 AM, because the drive to Lanqun from anywhere else takes all day. This article may be sponsored or include a provided product or affiliate link. Even the ride in the jeep is adventurous (and exhausting) and the cave activity and various (optional) waterfall jumps are for adrenaline seekers. It's in your best interest to wear water shoes and not attempt to walk along the ridge of the pools as I witnessed a young girl slip and eat it. Here are the five activities you shouldnt miss: The most famous thing to do at Semuc Champey is taking a dip in the picture-perfect natural limestone pools! Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Semuc Champey - Rome2rio Minibuses will drop you off at Lanquin, the town closest to Semuc Champey and from there you can either walk for about 2.5 hours or take a 4x4 pickup truck "taxi" to the entrance of the falls. Lets just take an example: then you get to this amazing place. Your shuttle will pick you up at your accommodation in Guatemala City and drop you at the bus station in Lanquin. Assuming youre already in Lanquin, you can organize a full day tour (upwards of $40 and includes lunch, tubing, entrance fees and such). We communicated via WhatsApp and they were very quick and accurate with their responses. Hike through the jungle! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee. I hear that is the toughest drive and a regular rental car wouldnt be sufficient. The shockingly blue pools rest on top of a natural limestone bridge covering a portion of theCahabn River. Heres an idea of how long it will take depending where youre coming from: See what I mean about needing to block off a full travel day to get there? But you dont have to. So you probably already added Semuc to your list of must dos in Guatemala, but now what? Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox. Everybody wants to sell you something, guide you, show you something or tries to cheat you. It is theoretically also possible to take a taxi to Semuc Champey. A Complete Guide to Semuc Champey in Guatemala LAIDBACK TRIP The drive from Guatemala City through the Central Highlands is stunning, but not really recommended for drivers who are used to crazy Guatemalan traffic and winding mountain roads with chicken buses hurtling around corners at breakneck speed. But guess what? Book Your Shuttle to Semuc Champey From Antigua Now! All rights reserved. Tickets & Tours - Semuc Champey, Central Highlands - Viator Awesome post! When you arrive at the ticket office, you'll first have to pay 50 Quetzals entrance fee before heading down the trailhead. Lanquin is known for its beautiful natural setting, with a variety of ecosystems including tropical rainforests, limestone caves, and waterfalls. Entrance was 50Q per person. Semuc Champey is a relatively remote place to reach, with most backpackers choosing to spend a day or two in the hilltop town of San Agustn Lanqun, 11km away, and visit Semuc on a day trip. As I mentioned, there is no easy way to get to Semuc Champey. It's a fantastic place to swim and relax. I wore my beloved Chacos water shoes, and it made a huge difference (although it was a goofy feature in all of my photos!). I wouldnt want to be the one standing on a bumper, either! During the ride from Semuc to Lanquin there were 33 people. There are also tours from Guatemala City to Semuc Champey, like this 5-day Guatemala Adventure through the Alta Verapaz region, which includes trips out to the Limestone Mountains of Candelara and Laguna Lacha. Gracias. The water when you finally arrive is the most beautiful blue-takes your breath away. Exactly what I was looking for. After side-hustling her way to financial independence, she curates solo destination guides, slow travel tips, and travel blogging advice on Wander Her Way. Great day out. Form is successfully submitted. Its completely uneventful, save for its spectacular location in the heart of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve. The name Semuc Champey means where the river hides under the earth in the Qeqchi Mayan language.
