How to visit Semuc Champey & Lanquin

About Semuc Champey

Surrounded by greenery a limestone staircase spanning 300 meters holds six beautiful turquoise pools. The pools are the main attraction, but most people also visit the nearby cave or go tubing in the Cahabon River.

Most hostels offer a tour, but it’s an easy do-it-yourself activity. It’s pretty straightforward, so no need for a guide, unless you choose to do the cave. This way you can decide how much time you’d like to spend in each spot.

Admission Fee: 50Q/€5,87/$6,30 

Things to do at Semuc Champey/Lanquin

El Mirador

The best way to see the pools is actually from above. To get an overview of this beautiful natural phenomenon you hike up to the viewpoint. It’s best to start your visit with the viewpoint. It’s less hot and less busy in the mornings and you may get the viewpoint to yourself. The tour groups arrive a bit later in the afternoon. Pretty quickly after entering the nature reserve you’ll find the start of the hike to viewpoint on your left. In about 30 minutes you’ll walk all the way up. At the top you can get a refreshing fresh coconut if you’re feeling thirsty.

Take a dip in the pools

After the hike up to the viewpoint, hike down and dive into one of the pools. The water is refreshing, but not cold and super clear! There’s a walkway that takes you to the different levels of the limestone terraces and you can enter the pools from several different spots. There’s plenty of space to hang around and swim and it actually didn’t feel busy at all while I was there.

Extra tip: bring a lock for the free lockers! This way you can keep your stuff safe while you go swimming

Explore the Cave

I personally chose to skip this cave, because people had told me the water was quite dirty and it took them over an hour to get through the cave. The water is very cold and they advice against entering if you have any little cuts or wounds on your body, because the water may cause infections.

However, I’ve also met people that enjoyed this adventurous activity. You enter the cave with a candle and you’ll have swim and climb to get through the cave.

Entrance fee: 60 Q/€7/$7,6

See the market in Lanquin

If you happen to visit the area on a market day, make sure to check out the center of Lanquin in the morning. Seeing the hustle and bustle of local life is a great way to start the day before hopping a truck to Semuc Champey.

Go Tubing down the Cahabon River

Don’t expect a wild water rafting experience, but rather an easy cruise down the river. You can rent a tube for 50 quetzals and make you’re way down the river in about an hour.

Restaurant to try: Aragoncito Bistro al Carbón

One of the few good restaurant in town. Cute local place with vegetarian dishes!

Where to stay?

You have two options. Stay at one of the places besides the entrance of Semuc Champey or stay in the nearby village of Lanquin.

I chose to stay in Zephyr Lodge, because of the incredible setting. The property has a stunning pool with a breathtaking view. They were also kind enough to send me my ssd that I accidentally left there. I enjoyed seeing the nearby local town and it’s very easy to get to Semuc Champey. Another advantage was not having to travel any further once your shuttle arrives in Lanquin. If you choose to stay next to Semuc Champey that adds another hour to your travel day.

If you do want to stay closer to nature reserve I recommend Greengo’s hostel. 

Keep in mind that in most places you’ll be dependent on their restaurant for food.