10 Best Things To Do in Semuc Champey
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Semuc Champey is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Guatemala for both local and international visitors. To get there, you will need to get to Lanquín which itself is a remote town. Getting to Lanquín takes a lot of effort and planning that staying for a number of nights in the area is recommended. But besides the pools, what are the other things to do in Semuc Champey/Lanquín? In this post, I share 10 of the best things to do in Semuc Champey/Lanquín.
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<3 Dominique
1) Cool off at Semuc Champey
The turquoise pools of Semuc Champey are the main draw for visitors in the area. If you go all that way with no intention of seeing the pools, then you are setting yourself up for a disappointing time.
The water is cool and temperate. If you stay still long enough, there are tiny fish that nip at your dead skin cells.
I’m going to refer to the pools closest to the park entrance as “the lower pools”. Here you will find the deeper pools, a handful of shallow pools, and waterfalls. In general, the pools of Semuc are between 1 and 3 meters deep. The lower pools are relatively quieter.
From the entrance area, if you veer left on the main path, you eventually will find yourself in the upper pool area. This is where you will find changerooms, toilets, and lockers. I didn’t spend too much time here as it was quite busy with families and tour groups. The waters looked a calm and shallow.
Since Semuc Champey is famous for its naturally occurring pools, I am listing swimming at the pools as the top thing to do in Semuc Champey.
2) Take a picture at El Mirador
‘El Mirador’ translates to ‘The Viewpoint’. This refers to the deck that gives you that iconic vantage point over Semuc Champey.
From the entrance, it took me about 45 minutes to reach El Mirador. I had to change into my water shoes (from my hiking shoes) as the stone and wooden steps were wet and quite slippery.
I recommend hiking up to El Mirador first to work up a sweat. The cool waters of the pools feel all the more rewarding after that hike. Taking a pic at El Mirador was my favourite thing to do in Semuc Champey.
3) See El Sumidero
‘El Sumidero’ translates to ‘ The Drain’. If you want to see the starting point of the limestone bridge over the Cahabón River, follow the signs to ‘El Sumidero’ near the lockers at Semuc. Here, you will see the mighty Cahabón River disappear under the edge of the limestone bridge that forms the pools. The Cahabón is the water source of the pools. The water gets filtered through the limestone, eventually giving the pools at Semuc Champey those famed gem-coloured waters.
Related read – Semuc Champey: The Solo Travelers’ Ultimate Guide
4) Watch for wildlife
The jungle that surrounds the turquoise pools at Semuc is rich in biodiversity. Whether you do it near the pools or back at your lodging, it is possible to see any of the following if you stay still long enough:
- armadillos
- raccoons, coatis, possums
- iguanas
- falcons, parrots, toucans
- snakes (Boa constrictors and coral snakes)
- deer
- monkeys
5) Explore the village of Semil
The area of Semuc is home to a primarily Maya Q’echi community. To get an appreciation for the rich, cultural heritage of Semuc beyond all of its natural beauty, check out this tour in the village of Semil.
The tour will take you on a cultural walk in the community near Semuc for an immersive and educational experience with a local.
Alternatively, why not explore the main plaza of Lanquín for a glimpse of daily life in the area. If your visit to Semuc falls between August 23 to 28, you can witness the festivals honouring Saint Augustine (San Agustín) the patron saint of the town.
6) Take a chocolate making workshop
Cocoa and the art of making chocolate are part of the cultural heritage of the Maya Q’echi. There are local families who offer chocolate making workshops at their home. These workshops will walk you through the process of cultivating cocoa and learning how to turn it into a chocolate bar.
The owners of my accommodation knew a local family personally that offered these workshops. So, if you are interested, I recommend inquiring about a similar workshop at your lodgings. Alternatively, check out this tour that bundles a day tour to Semuc with a chocolate making workshop.
7) Discover the Lanquín Caves
The municipality of Lanquín is home to two protected areas: (1) Semuc Champey Natural Monument, and (2) Parque Nacional Grutas de Lanquín (Lanquín Caves National Park). Don’t mistake Lanquín Caves with the infamous K’an Ba Caves that are often included with the day tours to Semuc.
The Lanquín Caves was one of the first protected areas declared in Guatemala. It is comprised of an enormous complex of caves. The caves are home to thousands of bats that emerge every evening around sunset, creating a sight to behold. In the caves, you will also find impressive rock formations. These formations are considered sacred to the Q’echi.
How to get to Lanquín Caves
- I haven’t been able to locate an online source that offers tours to Lanquín Caves. But in general, I find the businesses and community in Semuc to be tight knit. If you want a guide for the Lanquín Caves, inquire about a local guide at your accommodations.
- Alternatively, you can take a tuk tuk to the Lanquín Caves. The ride takes about 30 minutes from the main plaza in Lanquín.
8) Spelunking at the K’an Ba Caves
The K’an Ba Caves are often included in the Semuc day tours offered by the hostels and agencies in the area.
A tour of the K’an Ba Caves entails going into a dark cave with a candle as your only light source. For over an hour, you will be walking, swimming, climbing rocks and ladders, and squeezing into crevices in said dark cave. This tour is not for the faint of heart especially those who get claustrophobic.
For the adventurous, the cave offers the opportunity to climb up a waterfall, jump off a cave wall, and get dropped down a narrow hole.
I arrived at Semuc knowing that this activity wasn’t for me. I was able to fight off peer pressure to go there. My adrenaline junkie friend loved his experience at the K’an Ba Caves though. If you are not joining a tour group, entrance to the cave costs 60 Q which would cover the cost of a guide.
9) Tubing on the Cahabón River
Hostels and agencies in the area often include tubing on the Cahabón in their Semuc day tours. Alternatively, I’m sure your accommodations can help connect you with a local business offering this excursion.
The rapids of Cahabón vary by season. During the dry season, tubing on the river can be a pretty relaxing experience. During the rainy season, operators may cancel the activity if the water levels reach dangerous levels.
10) Grab a day pass for one of the area’s hostels
I chose not to stay at one of hostels near Semuc. A quiet treehouse appealed more to me at the time. In order to get to my next destination, I needed to book my shuttle via one of the hostels. For security reasons, to get into the hostel, I needed to get a day pass for the hostel.
I made an afternoon out of the day pass requirement. My accommodations didn’t offer cocktails or have a pool, so those were a novelty for me at the time. It was also nice talking to fellow travelers.
Even if you are staying at a hostel, you can get a day pass for a different hostel IF you need a change of scenery or food variety.
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Have you ever stayed in the Semuc Champey/Lanquín area? What were your favourite things to do while there? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.
