Once a hidden gem within the Guatemalan jungle, now a must-see along the Central America backpackers trail. Lanquin Guatemala is a little mountain town in the province of Alta Verapaz. Lanquin has become a popular spot to visit mainly for its close proximity to the beautiful pools of Semuc Champey natural monument.
Guatemala Lanquin itself is a small town, with only a few restaurants and shops. But, that doesn’t stop the town of Lanquin from being incredibly beautiful with some of the best hostels that we have stayed in, across Central America.
Semuc Champey, is one of the most beautiful natural monuments in Guatemala, if not the whole of Central America.
If you are asking yourself the question Is Semuc Champey worth it? What are the best hostels and hotels in Semuc Champey and wondering how to get to Lanquin, Guatemala or Semuc Champey? Read on for our guide covering everything you need to know to visit Lanquin!
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.
How far is Lanquin to Semuc Champey?
The distance between Lanquin 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 that sell you homemade (incredible) chocolate along the way.
How many days do you need in Guatemala, Lanquin?
There isn’t too much to do in Lanquin 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 Guatemala Lanquin. We stayed for 2 nights meaning we only had one full day in Lanquin 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 do I get to Semuc Champey Natural Monument?
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 Natural Monument from each of the main spots in Guatemala.
Travelling from Antigua to Semuc Champey natural monument
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 Lanquin
Then, you can travel from Lanquin to Semuc Champey
Cost: Around 100Q
The quickest way to get from Antigua to Semuc Champey – 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 Semuc Champey
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 via the 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’s 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 Semuc Champey
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 & Lanquin
You have two options of 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.
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 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 Lanquin 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 Lanquin
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
Zephry 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 (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 places 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. However, we did meet a lot of other travellers that did and that recommend it. Hostal Oasis boasts being a luxury jungle resort, located a short tuk tuk ride outside of downtown Lanquin. You can opt to stay in a little hut with a private bathroom or 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 we 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 our opinions, 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.
Overall, we absolutely loved our time in Lanquin Guatemala and Semuc Champey and would 100% visiting during your time in this little Central American country. We hope that this guide hopes you to plan your trip and time here.
