Critical Travel Guide to Lanquin and Semuc Champey Guatemala (+ Map)
TL;DR
Should you visit Semuc Champey? Find out in our critical travel guide to Lanquin and Semuc Champey Guatemala.
Lanquin is the jumping-off point for the Instagram-famous waterfalls and pools at Semuc Champey. Despite being firmly on the tourist track, this area still feels quite remote and a bit rough around the edges.
Going to Lanquin and Semuc Champey is definitely an adventure – from the pickup trucks on bumpy roads to the caving with only a candle to light your way.
Before we went, we had read in many blogposts that Semuc Champey is a must-visit place in Guatemala. After our visit, we’re not so sure anymore.
Without further ado, here’s our honest and critical Lanquin travel guide to help you decide whether this is a place for you or not.
Critical Travel Guide to Lanquin and Semuc Champey
Is Semuc Champey Worth a Visit
Honestly, we must say it depends. Let’s start with the first thing we were not fully aware of and wished someone had told us before: While it looks like geographically Semuc Champey is located in between Flores and Lake Atitlan or Antigua, the roads are in bad condition and it felt like much more of a detour than we anticipated.
Pros and Cons of Visiting Semuc Champey
We think whether Semuc Champey is worth a visit or not depends.
Here are three reasons to go to Semuc Champey:
- You have a lot of time
- You love caves and/or waterfalls
- You only plan to visit Guatemala and no other caves/waterfalls
And here are three reasons not to visit Semuc Champey:
- You don’t have a lot of time
- You don’t care much for caving/tubing/waterfalls
- You do a bigger Central America trip and have already been to other similar
- waterfalls like Agua Azul in Palenque Mexico
- caves like ATM Cave in San Ignacio Belize
Here’s our complete ATM Cave tour review in comparison:
Travel Guides
ATM Cave Tour Review – The Best Tour We Did in Belize
Should you book the ATM Cave Tour in San Ignacio, Belize? Yes!
Carina
How to Get to Semuc Champey
To get to Semuc Champey, you first have to get to Lanquin.
The easiest way to incorporate Lanquin in your Guatemala itinerary is in between Flores/Rio Dulce and Antigua/Lake Atitlan.
Here’s our Guatemala sample itinerary including Semuc Champey:
Getting to Lanquin by Shuttle
Lanquin is well connected to other Guatemalan destinations by shuttle.
- Shuttle Lanquin to Flores, ~8h, ~30$
- Shuttle Lanquin to Rio Dulce, ~10h, ~45$
- Shuttle Lanquin to Antigua, ~8h, ~30$
- Shuttle Lanquin to Lake Atitlan, ~8h, ~45$
Getting to Lanquin by Chicken Bus
Alternatively, you can try to get to Lanquin by chicken bus. You just have to consider that a journey which takes 8h+ by shuttle will take much longer with chicken buses which require multiple changes. We doubt that you’ll even save money – especially considering that you might have to insert an extra night.
Where to Stay in Lanquin
You have two options:
- Staying in Lanquin Town
- Staying in Semuc Champey
Where to Stay: In Lanquin or Semuc Champey?
Pros of Staying in Lanquin Town |
Pros of Staying in Semuc Champey |
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Cons of Staying in Lanquin Town |
Cons of Staying in Semuc Champey |
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Accommodation Options in Lanquin Town |
Accommodation Options in Semuc Champey |
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How to Get Around Lanquin
The town centre of Lanquin is walkable but hilly.
Tuk-tuks will bring you around town.
To get to Semuc Champey or your accommodation close to Semuc Champey, you have to take a pickup truck which is standing room only. The ride will take at least another 30 minutes. The ride should be included in your tour and many accommodations have the pickup included in your booking.
Best Things to Do in Lanquin
Most travel guides list these things as the best things to do in Lanquin or Semuc Champey (honestly, let us know if you find more!):
- Swim in the pools at Semuc Champey
- Hike to the viewpoint or mirador
- Explore K’anba Caves
- Tubing on Río Cahabón
- K’anba Waterfall
- Río Cahabón rope swing
You can easily do and see all of these things in one day on a Semuc Champey tour. Here’s our Semuc Champey Tour Review:
How Many Days Do You Need in Lanquin
We recommend spending two nights in Lanquin because the travel time to get here is so long. You can easily visit Semuc Champey in one full day!
Where to Eat in Lanquin
Honestly, Lanquin is not really a foodie paradise. Most travellers eat in their accommodations.
In Lanquin Town, we had some nice food at KALULA Café y Restaurante. ZEN LA POZA is probably the best-rated place in town. There are also some small eateries dotted around town.
In Semuc Champey, restaurant options are even slimmer. There’s Comedor Buffet Semuc Champey where most tours will bring you to. Mi Rancho up the street does have better reviews.
Infrastructure in Lanquin
Supermarkets in Lanquin
There are some small shops or tiendas in Lanquin but we wouldn’t really rely on them for proper food shopping.
ATMs in Lanquin
Currently, there are two ATMs in Lanquin (right next to each other) but they seem to be a bit unreliable.
Bring enough cash. Not all places accept credit cards and if they do, they charge extra!
Internet in Lanquin
Lanquin is remote. Both WiFi and mobile data can be slow. Lanquin is not the place for digital nomads!
Lanquin Budget
We spent around 50$ per person and night in Lanquin:
- 15$ accommodation
- 10$ food
- 25$ Semuc Champey tour
Is Lanquin Safe
Lanquin felt very safe. It is both remote and touristy. The most dangerous things are probably the bumpy road getting there and activities like the caving.
Lanquin Map
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