Semuc Champey: The Most Unique Tour I’ve Ever Experienced 

As a full-time traveler who’s been to over 40 countries, I’ve done a lot of tours, some wild, some completely unique, and some just unforgettable. But recently, I had an experience in Lanquín, Guatemala that I never saw coming.

Deep in the jungle, I went on a tour to reach the infamous pools of Semuc Champey, but the day turned into something far more surprising.

From crawling through caves to jumping into hidden rivers, climbing slippery rocks, and navigating unexpected trails, every moment was unpredictable and completely thrilling.

Why Semuc Champey Is Worth the Incredibly Long Journey to Get There

Before actually arriving in Lanquín, all I knew was that I had seen pictures of these waterfall pools that I wanted to see for myself. I also knew that you could climb up to a lookout point to see the pools, and that was about it.

This place is really far from most of the major tourist spots in Guatemala. It’s a 12-hour bus ride from Antigua or Lake Atitlán and about nine hours from Flores. Not many people make the trip because it is so remote, and most visitors are there solely for the pools.

Aside from exploring the natural pools in the middle of the jungle, there isn’t much else to do, which is why many people only stay for a couple of days.

I Had No Idea What I Was In For — and That Was the Best Part

Like I said, before arriving I really did not know what to expect. I thought the tour would just involve hiking up to a viewpoint, seeing the pools, and that would be it. But I could not have been more wrong.

I did a tour with the hostel I was staying at, Zephyr Lodge, which is honestly one of the best hostels I have ever stayed at in my life. It is an amazing place and I highly recommend it. If you are heading to this area, they have everything you could possibly need.

The tour I did with them was absolutely incredible. For 200 quetzal, I went on a full-day tour, and before going, I was only given a few instructions on what to bring.

I really had no idea what was going to happen, but it ended up being one of the most unique and memorable tours I have ever done, completely unexpected in every way.

So let me break down how the day went and why it was such a unique and exciting tour. On top of being in one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Guatemala, the tour guides made it completely unforgettable.

The Day Kicks Off in the Back of a Pickup Truck Through the Jungle

The day started early at 8:30 a.m., leaving the hostel in the back of pickup trucks. Driving thirty minutes into the middle of the jungle was already amazing. Standing in the back, looking at the lush surroundings and chatting with everyone, the ride itself felt like part of the adventure.

Then Came the Cave — and Nothing Could Have Prepared Me for It

Our first stop wasn’t actually Semuc Champey yet. It was an area just before the entrance to the park. We walked down a river to some lockers, dropped off most of our stuff, and kept only our bathing suits and waterproof cameras.

Then we were led to a massive cave, where we were each given a huge candle. We had to wear water shoes and were told we would be swimming and walking through this cave for over an hour along a 2-kilometer stretch of an enormous 11-kilometer cave system.

This cave was insane. We obviously didn’t explore all of it, but even the part we did was mind-blowing. Swimming with a candle in hand as our only light, holding onto ropes, we navigated narrow passages, slid down natural rock slides, and jumped off cliffs into dark, mysterious pools.

I’m super claustrophobic, but I loved every second of it. The guides were whistling, singing, and cheering, making the whole experience even more surreal and fun.

Headlamps might have been more practical, but there was something iconic about holding a giant candle while swimming through a pitch-dark cave.

We also climbed ladders, scaled walls to reach the next passage, and at one point had to squeeze through a tiny crevice to shortcut back to the entrance. The entire time, we were laughing and giggling because what we were doing felt ridiculous but was so thrilling.