Semuc Champey, Guatemala: Everything You Need To Know To Visit
Are you planning a trip to Semuc Champey and wondering; How do I get there? When should I visit? And, where should I stay? If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place!
Once a hidden gem within the Guatemalan jungle, now a must-see along the Central American backpackers’ trail. Lanquín, Guatemala, is a little mountain town in the province of Alta Verapaz that has become a popular spot to visit, mainly for its close proximity to the beautiful pools of the Semuc Champey natural monument.
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Guatemala, Lanquín itself is a small town with only a few restaurants and shops. But, that doesn’t stop the town of Lanquín from being incredibly beautiful with some of the best hostels that we have stayed in, across Central America
I have actually visited Lanquín & Semuc Champey twice and can safely say they’re one of my favourite places in Central America, if not the whole world. They’re truly two gorgeous places in the heart of the Guatemalan mountains, and Semuc Champey is one of the most beautiful natural monuments in Guatemala, if not the whole of Central America.
If you’re planning a visit to Semuc Champey and asking yourself the question Is Semuc Champey worth it? What are the best hostels and hotels in Semuc Champey, and how to get to Lanquín or Semuc Champey? Read on for our guide covering everything you need to know to visit both of these amazing spots in Guatemala.
Before we dive into everything you need to know about visiting Semuc Champey and Lanquín, here is a handy map to help you locate both spots:
Is Semuc Champey worth it?
If you are wondering, ‘Is Semuc Champey worth it?’ then the answer is resoundingly a huge YES!
It’s an incredibly beautiful spot, which, despite becoming more and more popular in recent years, still isn’t too busy and doesn’t detract from its uniquely beautiful scenery. The internet has a lot of contradicting answers to the question ‘Is Semuc Champey worth it?’. However, I, Reanna, have visited twice and would happily visit again (and probably again!).
How far is Lanquín to Semuc Champey?
The distance between Lanquín and Semuc Champey is 15km, and the drive takes around 45 minutes on windy, unmarked roads. The drive in itself is all part of the fun, and where your adventure starts! Be sure to bring some money, as there are children who sell you homemade (incredible) chocolate along the way.
How many days do you need in Guatemala, Lanquín?
There isn’t too much to do in Lanquín other than paddle in the river, enjoy the views from your hostel or read a book in a hammock. Most people stay between one to three nights and travel from Lanquin to Semuc Champey for one full day in Lanquín.
Chris and I stayed for 2 nights, meaning we only had one full day in Lanquín, which we used to explore Semuc Champey. However, we wished that we had an extra night to stay and relax in Zephry Lodge (where we stayed) and enjoy the beautiful nature.
How to travel to Lanquín:
Unfortunately, there is no quick or easy way to get to Semuc Champey. There is no nearby airport that you can fly into, and no train station. Instead, the main way to get to the beautiful spot in the jungle is via bus.
Read on for your guide on how to get to Semuc Champey from each of the main spots in Guatemala.
Travelling from Antigua to Lanquín
Travelling from Antigua to Semuc Champey, Guatemala like a local
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to travel from Antigua to Semuc Champey, then follow these directions. Note that this certainly isn’t the easiest option, and you will have to rely on directions from the locals to help you find the next bus, etc.
Head to the bus terminal by the market and take a chicken bus to Guatemala City.
Then, in Guatemala City, get on the bus to Coban to begin your journey from Guatemala City to Semuc Champey
From Coban, get a bus to Lanquín
Then, you can travel from Lanquín to Semuc Champey via a shuttle bus/ TukTuk
Cost: Around 100Q
The quickest way to get from Antigua to Lanquín – the tourist way
The quickest and easiest way to get from Antigua to Semuc Champey is to get the daily shuttle. This is the way that most tourists (and us) travel between the two spots. The shuttle departs at 8:00 a.m. (read 9:00 a.m. by the time you’ve picked everyone up). You can book this via your hotel/hostel or any travel agent in town.
They will pick you up from your hotel or hostel and drop you off in Lanquin. You can take a free hotel shuttle to your accommodations and travel from Lanquin to Semuc Champey.
Cost: 260Q – 325Q
Travel Time: You will probably be told 8 hours, but expect 9 – 10.
Travelling from Lake Atitlan to Lanquín
The journey between Lake Atitlan to Semuc Champey takes around 10 to 12 hours by road.It’s a long journey and it takes a full day out of your trip itinerary but it’s so so worth it(in our opinions)!
The most popular way to travel from Lake Atitlan to Semuc Champey is by shuttle bus. The only shuttles that leave from Lake Atitlán to Semuc Champey depart from the ferry dock at Panajachel early in the morning. If you are staying anywhere else in Lake Atitlan, then you will have to make your way to Panajachel first. Luckily, the boats start running from very early in the morning, however, if you are travelling from Lake Atitlan to Semuc Champey, then we recommend staying in Panajachel overnight.
It’s worth noting that there are no night buses or shuttles to Semuc Champey so it will take a full day out of your travel itinerary.
Cost: 500Q
Travel time: 10-12 hours
Travelling from Flores to Lanquín
The only way to travel from Flores to Semuc Champey is via a shared shuttle bus. The shuttle buses leave Flores Island at 8 am from the I Heart Peten sign, next to the bridge and arrive in Semuc Champey at around 7 pm at night.
There are no overnight travel options, so you’ll need to block a full day of your itinerary for this journey
Cost: 150Q – 350Q
Travel time: 10-12 hours
Hostels in Semuc Champey & Lanquín
You have two options for where to stay when visiting the area: alongside Semuc Champey National Park itself, or 3 km away in the town of Lanquin.
Choosing where to stay in Lanquin also depends on the different things that you might want to do during your stay, since proximity to places like Semuc Champey can be advantageous. There are plenty of incredible options to stay in both making it very hard to decide.
Semuc Champey vs Lanquín
Lanquin is a small village about an hour’s drive from Semuc Champey. Most hostels are located here, but you’re probably not visiting Lanquin without visiting Semuc Champey. There’s not too much to see in Lanquin, and it is usually visited as the gateway for Semuc Champey. However, it can be easier to stay in Lanquin as the hotel and hostel options are better, and it really is a gorgeous place with incredible views.
Some things to do in Lanquín (besides visiting Semuc Champey):
Explore Lanquín Caves (Grutas de Lanquín)
River Tubing on the Río Lanquín
Watch the Sunset Over the Mountains
Take a Coffee Tour
Pros of staying in Lanquin:
More hostel options
The tours to Semuc Champey are fun
There are other things to do in Lanquin
It’s easier to get to with more direct transport options
Pros of staying in Semuc Champey:
You can visit the pools before the other tourists arrive
The hostels are more relaxed with less of a party atmosphere (can be a pro or con depending on what you’re looking for)
The disadvantage is that after you arrive in Lanquin, you will still have to travel for an hour.
In hindsight, if I visited again (for the third time), despite loving the hostel options in Lanquin, I would opt to stay in Semuc Champey. This is because you then have Semuc Champey all to yourself before the tours arrive. I’m now also older and am not looking for the party atmosphere that most of the hostels in Lanquin have.
Hostels in Semuc Champey
Staying in Semuc Champey can provide a huge benefit over staying in Lanquin and means that you get to spend longer in the Semuc Champey natural monument, which is always a huge bonus! You can explore the park when there’s no one else around, and you don’t have to visit on a tour. Of course, you’ll be further from any restaurants and the town in general, plus, if you want to go tubing in Guatemala, Lanquin, then it is better to stay in the town.
If you want to stay in Semuc Champey rather than Lanqui,n then these are our recommendations.
Utopia Eco Hostel
If you want to feel a little more isolated, this open-air lodge is located in the middle of the jungle. It’s much closer around a 45-minute walk to the National Park than Lanquin, with no other hostels in sight. As well as dorms, Utopia offers cabanas and bungalows if you need a little downtime, as well as a beautiful garden and terrace. They have an in-house vegetarian restaurant as well as a ticketing office, meaning that you won’t have to venture into town for anything.
Greengos Hostel
Greengos has a great reputation as the best hostel to stay at in Semuc Champey. It is in a beautiful serene location that is less than a 10-minute walk from Semuc Champey. It has an incredible pool to relax in and a large open communal area. You can decide between staying in a dorm room or opt for a private rooms.
They also have an onsite tour desk, meaning you can book your transport and tours in-house, knowing they are good quality having been recommended by one of the best hostels in Semuc Champey.
Hostels in Lanquín
Lanquin accommodation features a wide range of lodges, hostels, resorts and guesthouses. Staying in Lanquin means that you will have more option of restaurants and cafes, an ATM in town plus, WIFI and phone signal. The hostels in Lanquin Guatemala are gorgeous and you’ll be spoilt for choice. Here are our recommendations…
Zephyr Lodge
Zephyr Lodge is located in Lanquin and is one of the most popular hostels to stay at in the area. I, Reanna, have actually stayed in Zephyr Lodge twice, a few years apart (I love it that much).
The second time I visited, the interiors had undergone a major update, so it felt like I was staying in a luxury hotel rather than a budget hostel. Zephyr Lodge is located up a hill and has incredible views all around. This was really what set Zephyr Lodge apart from the other spots that we stayed in, in Guatemala, for us. The hostel has a pool, bar, restaurant and a jacuzzi. Free WIFI can be accessed by guests in public areas and rooms in Zephyr Lodge.
Zephyr Lodge is a social hostel and generally attracts a younger crowd; however, if you book a private room, then it’s easy to escape from this. Although we loved Zephyr for its social vibe and view, the staff can be a bit grumpy, and there were a number of complaints about people being overcharged for their bar/food tabs. Having said that, we had no issues during our stay. The food was great, our room gorgeous, and the hostel has all the amenities that you could hope for.
If you’d like to go on a Semuc Champey tour whilst here, then you can do this from the reception.
Hostal Oasis
We haven’t personally stayed in Hostel Oasis/ Oasis The Traveler However, we did meet a lot of other travellers who did and who recommend it. Hostal Oasis boasts being a luxury jungle resort, located a short Tuk-Tuk ride outside of downtown Lanquin; however, we’d say it’s more of a cool, budget-friendly jungle experience. You can opt to stay in a little hut with a private bathroom or a private room with a shared bathroom. Free WiFi can be accessed by guests in public areas.
If you’d like to tour Semuc while here, just ask the staff to arrange your transportation, and you’ll be good to go.
Vista Verde Hostal
If you’re looking for a budget option to stay in Lanquin, Guatemala, still with gorgeous views, then Vista Verde Hostal is it. Some of the rooms have a stunning view of the sunrise and the beautiful mountains around. There are bug nets for each bed and shared bathrooms for every room. Free WIFI can be accessed by guests in public areas.
You can opt to go hiking from Vista Verde Hostal or arrange for a tour to Semuc Champey, which is about 15 km away.
Semuc Champey tour
As I have mentioned, if you are staying in Semuc Champey, then you can visit the park without a tour. However, if you are staying in Lanquin, then the best option to visit the park is to do so with a tour.
In my opinion, the best and cheapest way to do the Semuc Champey Tour is to book a local tour at your hostel. However, if you like to book things in advance so your plans are secure, then you can book your tour online before you arrive. These usually include Semuc Champey, swimming by candlelight through Kanba Cave and sometimes tubing in the river, although this is sometimes an add-on.
You can read other reviews on visiting Semuc Champey here.
What is included in the tour of Semuc Champey?
Of course, all tours may vary. However, generally, most tours to Semuc Champey will include your transport from Lanquín to Semuc Champey in the form of a bumpy 4×4 ride. First up: a guided tour of the Kan’Ba caves, where you’ll swim, climb, and explore by candlelight. If you’re claustrophobic (like me), then I recommend skipping this. I got about 1/6th of the way in and had to get taken out as I was far too claustrophobic for it.
Next, go river tubing down the Río Cahabón, often with a beer in hand. This isn’t included in all tours, so if it’s something that you really want to do, then make sure it is included with the tour that you book. You’ll then walk to the waterfall to get some photos and come back to the famous rope swing that you can jump off of (the first time I went, I jumped too late and ended up bruising my stomach, so it’s safe to say I didn’t do it the second time!). You also used to be able to jump off the yellow bridge in the national park (pictured above); however, this wasn’t allowed the second time, so they must have changed this.
After lunch, you’ll hike up to the famous viewpoint for the gorgeous views over the turquoise pools that you’ve been waiting for. The walk to the Semuc Champey viewpoint (El Mirador) typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your pace and fitness level.
It’s a steep uphill hike through the jungle, with lots of steps and some slippery patches, but the view over the turquoise pools at the top is 100% worth it! Most tours give you plenty of time to go at your own speed and take breaks along the way. Then make your way down to swim and relax in the natural limestone pools before heading back to town.
How long does the tour last?
The tour to Semuc Champey lasts all day (approximately 9 hours), including travel time. You can eat breakfast at your hostel before, and lunch is included in the tour.
Final thoughts on visiting Semuc Champey
I hope that you have found this guide to visiting Semuc Champey helpful and that it answers any questions that you may have on where to stay, how to get here and if it’s worth adding to your Central America itinerary. Overall, I absolutely loved my time in Lanquin, Guatemala and Semuc Champey and would 100% recommend visiting during your time in this little Central American country. I hope that this guide helps you plan your trip and time here!
