Are you going on vacation in Guatemala? We offer you to discover the most beautiful natural park in Guatemala, Semuc Champey!
Guatemala is not a destination specially known for its natural parks... And yet. Semuc Champey, which literally means Maya language “the place where the water hides under the earth” is part of his jewels created from every room by nature. It is a site that is still unprotected by unpreserved travellers, wildlife and flora. Here is some information if you plan to visit Semuc Champey during your trip to Guatemala.
Semuc Champey, history of the most beautiful natural park in Guatemala
Photo credit: Flickr – Christopher William Adach
This natural park was only discovered in the 1950s, when some Guatemalan officials from the Lanquin region, the neighbouring region, decided to venture into the very dense jungle of the area. It may be said that this is a chance that the municipal secretary decided to send a note to describe the unique and unique beauty of this site. It was in a way that enabled the tourist development of Semuc Champey, and we thank him for it! The park was also classified as a national monument in 1999, and is thus part of the many protected areas of Guatemala.
Visit Semuc Champey
Photo credit: Flickr – Christopher William Adach
The most beautiful natural park in Guatemala is still uncommon for a good reason: it is reached from the capital Guatemala City in a minimum 10-hour drive, and some uninterrupted portions make the journey unpleasant. But the journey is largely worth the detour! Indeed, once you arrive, you reach a huge park that takes about 4 hours to visit. The entrance costs 50 quetzals or about 6 euros. Immersion in a dense jungle is then total.
Within the park, you can walk a few moments before you arrive at the foot of stairs that allow us to climb in about 30 minutes to a superb mirador that overlooks the park’s organ point: 7 swimming pools with a depth of 1 to 3 meters, with clear waters, ranging from green to turquoise.
By descending, one arrives in front of his swimming pools, which are accessible to swimming: guaranteed refreshment and well deserved, because it is warm enough here! You can also go for a walk on the banks of the Cahobon River, do tubing, picnic, etc ... In short, spend a moment in the middle of nature in an exceptional place!
How to get to Semuc Champey from Antigua or Guatemala City?
Starting from Antigua or Guatemala City, there are excursions on several days that allow you to visit Semuc Champey of course, but also other sites in Guatemala such as the Ranchitos del Quetzal nature reserve, the caves of Lanquín, or those of Marcos Rey. All with accommodation and breakfast included. Click here to learn more about this kind of trip to Semuc Champey.
You can quite go to Semuc Champey by your own means but the journey is long and you have to change several times of transport. Ideal if you don’t want to go by a tour operator, you can book on site a minibus chartered by an agency. From Guatemala City there are “only” 285 km to Semuc Champey, while there are 325 km. With such a minibus, it is necessary to plan the day for the trip between 9 and 11 hours.
If you are visiting Semuc Champey as a "single", you will have to stay in Lanquin. You can find accommodation via the Booking site .
Main photo credit: Flickr – Matthias Hiltner
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