Lanquín
Food, transportThe nearest town.
Nature guide
Things to do in Semuc Champey
A natural limestone bridge of turquoise pools over a rushing river, deep in the jungle of Alta Verapaz: swim, climb to the lookout, tube the river and explore the Kanba caves by candlelight.
4
Hostels in the city
8.7
Average, from 2,350 reviews
300 m
Limestone bridge
2–3
Nights
Turquoise pools in the jungle
Semuc Champey is a natural monument in the mountains of Alta Verapaz, in central Guatemala: a 300-metre limestone bridge over the Cahabón River, with a chain of turquoise pools on top, while the river rushes underground beneath it. It is one of the most beautiful places in the country, and hard to reach, which keeps it special.
The pools are surrounded by jungle, and a steep trail climbs to El Mirador, a lookout with the classic view from above. Nearby, the Kanba caves are explored by candlelight, swimming through underground rivers, and the Cahabón is good for tubing.
Most travellers stay in Lanquín, a small town about 10 kilometres away, or in jungle lodges along the road to the pools. Getting here takes most of a day from Antigua or Flores. Give it two or three nights.
Where to base yourself
Lanquín for food and transport, or the jungle lodges near the pools for nature.
Near the pools
Jungle lodgesLodges on the road to Semuc.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 4 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do at Semuc Champey
Climb to El Mirador for the view over the pools, about 45 minutes up a steep trail, then swim in the turquoise pools and slide between them. Walk to the point where the river disappears underground.
Explore the Kanba caves with a guide, swimming through dark water with only a candle, and tube down the Cahabón River. Visit the Lanquín caves at dusk, when thousands of bats fly out.
Most lodges sell a full-day tour that combines the caves, tubing and the pools.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Walking around Lanquín and swimming in the river near town are free.
Watching the bats leave the Lanquín caves from outside costs nothing.
The Semuc Champey park, the caves and tubing charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Food is simple. Lodges serve set dinners, often family-style, for €5 to €9, and comedores in Lanquín serve lunches for €3 to €5.
Try kak'ik, the spicy turkey soup of Alta Verapaz, and local cardamom and cacao.
A 10 per cent tip is customary in restaurants, and is sometimes already added to the bill.
Nightlife
Going out
Nightlife is in the lodges: communal dinners, bars and the odd party night with other travellers.
Lanquín itself is quiet.
Gallo costs €1.50 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around
Shuttles run to Lanquín from Antigua in about eight to ten hours, and from Flores in about seven to nine hours; the last part is on slow mountain roads. Local buses go via Cobán.
From Lanquín, pickup trucks take about 30 to 45 minutes over a rough road to the pools.
Lodges arrange transport and tours.
Costs
What Semuc Champey costs
Dorm beds start at around €7 to €12 a night. Lodge dinners cost €5 to €9.
Park entry costs about €6, and a full-day tour with caves, tubing and the pools about €20 to €30.
Bring enough cash: there are only a couple of cash machines in Lanquín, and they can run out.
Safety
Safety and scams
Semuc Champey is safe, but take care in the water: do not swim near where the river goes underground, and follow the signs.
The Kanba caves involve swimming and climbing in the dark; go with a guide and only if you are a confident swimmer.
Leave valuables at your lodge. Do not drink the tap water; bottled and purified water is cheap everywhere. In an emergency, call 110 for the police, or 1500 for PROATUR, the tourist assistance line.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Seasons and holidays.
November to April
Dry season
Semuc Champey
The clearest pools.
March or April
Semana Santa
Lanquín
Busy with Guatemalan visitors.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Semuc Champey, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
Semuc Champey can be visited all year. The pools are clearest in the dry season, from November to April. Heavy rain in the wet season can turn the river brown and close the pools briefly.
Jan
Dry, clear pools
Feb
Dry
Mar
Dry
Apr
Semana Santa
May
Rains begin
Jun
Rain
Jul
Holidays
Aug
Rain
Sep
Wettest
Oct
Wet
Nov
Drier
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Humid, with rain possible all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Semuc Champey prices.
Treat these as a guide. Tours cost extra.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Semuc Champey questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get to Semuc Champey?
By shuttle to Lanquín from Antigua or Flores, then a pickup to the pools.
Is Semuc Champey worth the long trip?
Most travellers say yes, for the pools, caves and jungle.
Where should I stay?
In Lanquín, or in lodges close to the pools.
Is there a cash machine?
A couple in Lanquín, which can run out. Bring cash.
Are the Kanba caves safe?
With a guide and if you are a confident swimmer.
How much is entry?
About €6.
When is the best time to visit?
November to April, when the pools are clearest.
Also trending this week
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare hostels across Guatemala: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.