Semuc Champey is a national park in Guatemala (deep in the mountains/jungles) between Antigua & Flores. Features beautiful turquoise pools, river rafting, caving, and other nature-based activities.
As beautiful as Semuc Champey is…there really isn’t much to do. And the whole logistics of getting here and planning where to stay can be a mess. For this reason, many people say it’s overrated and I totally agree. A lot of hassle to get there and there isn’t that much to do unless you absolutely want to do some nature things or party in a jungle hostel with your clothes off. Of course…they try to invent little activities to make you feel like it’s a theme park but there really isn’t much. Maybe a young college kid would see all this as adventure. As for myself…I’d prefer spending extra time in creature comforts in Antigua or even Lake Atitlan.
Still insist on going? Ok fine…let’s cover some tips for getting the most out of your visit here.
What is Semuc Champey:
You should probably know this first to decide if it’s worth the trip. Because you need to spend at least 3 days (2 nights)…one day to get there, one day at the park, and one day to leave. It takes almost a whole day to get in and out from there, 9-12hrs in a cramped shuttle depending where you’re coming from. Most people are coming from Antigua (9hrs), Lago de Atitlan (12hrs), and Flores (8hrs).
Semuc Champey is a national park 40mins jungle drive from the nearest city Lanquin. With accommodations anywhere from Lanquin right up to almost the entrance of Semuc Champey. Lanquin itself is a little town with some restaurants, stores, and “city-ish” comforts. Staying in a hostel closer to Semuc would mean staying in the jungle. Which ranges anywhere from giant full-service “hotel” like amenities to basic cabins with limited/no electricity or internet. Being in the jungle can be lots of fun, beautiful views of nature…but potentially annoying with mosquitos, rain noise, and lack of infrastructure.
Semuc Champey itself has:
- Natural turquoise pools – separated by rock formations. Looks beautiful in photos too and probably the main attraction of this place.
- Little hikes around the park – for personal exploring or for getting better views and pictures of the place.
- River tubing – they give you a tube and you float down the river with it.
- Rope swing – swing yourself and jump off into the water.
- Cliff jumping – some rock points for you to climb up and jump into the water.
- Caving – some caves with water (up to waist high) that you navigate with a candle.
Basically…natural pools, river activities, caves. Only the pools were magical for me and I’d say that’s where most people would spend their time around. You can pay like 170-200gtq and have a guided tour where a guy walks your group through every activity. Or you can just pay 50gtq at the entrance and do everything on your own.
You technically don’t need a tour because it’s not a big place and you probably might only want to do a few things. Some people go only for the pools and the mirador. Others do the guided tour one day, and then come back the next day on their own (or with preferred friends) and hangout at the pool or only the things they like. Guided tours are nice because you’re doing all the activities as a big group (more social) instead of doing each thing alone. Also if there’s any dangerous parts, at least you’ll know which rocks/paths to take because you see others doing it.
But here’s another thing…you could also just spend only one day at Semuc Champey and then your other days at your hotel/hostel. Which might be even more fun, especially if it’s got a nice vibe. The hotel/hostels range anywhere from nature jungle oasis to fancy hotel resort.
Where to stay:
- Hotels – if you’re a grown ass person and looking for a solid place to stay with all-day electricity and internet, you’ll probably be staying in a hotel in Lanquin. I imagine in Lanquin you might have restaurant options (I don’t really know, though.)
- Greengo’s Hotel – actually a hostel. This is where I stayed and enjoyed it a lot. Looks like a big resort, with pool/jacuzzi, hammocks, group tables, long bars, and music. Basically like a big party resort bar with lots of people to socialize with. This was a lot of fun and definitely super convenient during bad weather season when you’d rather party under cover than get rained on outside in Semuc. It’s a 10-min walk to Semuc so you could also easily walk to Semuc everyday if you wanted. I highly recommend this as the first option for “social backpackers”.
- Hostal El Portal – the closest hostel to Semuc Champey. Like literally just outside the entrance and only a 2-min walk to the park. So it’s super great if all you want to do is hangout at Semuc the whole time. But otherwise, I hear this hostel is boring and nothing to do…some of their people came over to ours at Greengo’s to party and enjoy meeting people.
- Ch’i Bocol Hostel – hostel in the jungle that requires 30min hike to get through. Some people loved the raw wilderness and organic food vibes. Others felt it was too basic, uncomfortable, and also extremely inconvenient due to slippery mud when raining. It’s also a 1-hr trek from Semuc Champey. I imagine it’s a good place if you just want super tranquil space away from people and to be one with nature.
Where you should stay has a lot to do with how you want to experience Semuc Champey. The actual national park itself is about a 40min drive from the nearest town (Lanquin). Hotels are in Lanquin, hostels are near Semuc Champey. Typically people take a shuttle to Lanquin and then stay there (in Lanquin)…or get picked up by their hostel shuttle and taken to their hostel. You don’t have to plan the hostel shuttles, they will be waiting and take you when your shuttle arrives. As for getting to Semuc Champey from your hotel/hostel…most will probably offer you a ride (or tour that includes a ride). Others are close enough that you can just walk.
The main question you should ask yourself is, do want to spend your time at Semuc? Or just chill at your hotel/hostel? I think Semuc is a 1-day or 1.5 day activity tops. Unless you really wanna revisit the pools and river. Most people just spend all their time at the hotel/hostel. And in that case, I feel picking the hotel/hostel for its amenities is more important than for its proximity to Semuc Champey.
Getting to Semuc Champey:
First you have to get to Lanquin (the town near Semuc). This is usually done by getting a shuttle from your previous town to Lanquin. The best prices can be found by asking people around (your current) town…usually white-shirt information/tour-seller guys hanging around tourist spots. This shuttle usually picks you up from your hotel/hostel at your previous city…in the morning like 7am…and drops you off in Lanquin around 3-7pm (depending on your distance). Most people are coming from Antigua (9hrs), Lago de Atitlan (12hrs), and Flores (8hrs).
Then from Lanquin, you have to get to your hotel or hostel. Usually, they’ll have a shuttle that picks you up at Lanquin. Other hotels/hostel, you gotta find your own way there following their website instructions.
Depending on where you stay, the Semuc Champey park can be an easy 3-10min walk or a 40min drive (or even a 1hr hike).
Restaurants, Cafes, Bars & Clubs:
Like zero options here. Unless you’re staying Lanquin, you will likely only be eating and partying at your hotel/hostel (or a nearby hostel).
Miscellaneous tips:
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