Lanquin & Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey
see all photos »

The day after visiting Tikal, I boarded another bus for an 8 hour windy and bumpy drive to El Retiro Lodge in Lanquin.  The hostel had the most amazing setting.  It was set in a valley between some lush green mountains with a little river running past.  I was immediately in love with the place, so it is no surprise I ended up staying for 5 nights.  It also happened to have some very good vegetarian cuisine.

From the lodge I took a day trip to Semuc Champey which is the 8th wonder of the world.  It was a very full and very fun day.  We started by visiting some caves that were partially filled with water.  This meant that for a portion we had to swim with one hand while trying to keep a candle lit in the other hand.  We climbed some slippery ladders through some narrow passages, and walked through and behind a waterfall.  Once out of the caves we played on a rope swing and took turns jumping off into the river, then a few of us jumped off a 12 meter bridge into the river below.

Hanging out at Semuc Champey
see all photos »

After lunch we entered the Semuc Champey park.  We climbed 45 minutes up hill to a stunning mirador (viewpoint) of the Semuc Champey pools and the river.  Once we had rested and appreciated the view we climbed back down to swim in the pools.  We also had the opportunity to climb down a waterfall on a rope ladder, then climb behind the waterfall into a cave.  It was beautiful and incredible.

From the El Retiro Lodge we were also able to arrange tubing trips down the river.  15 people and as many tubes as possible were piled into the back of a pick-up truck.  The remaining tubes were tied onto the truck or held onto for the 15 minute bumpy and windy ride to the place we were let off.

Lanquin - El Retiro Lodge
see all photos »

Much of my time at Lanquin was spent relaxing on the lawn, taking in the sun in front of the river.  It rained almost every day for part of the day, sometimes quite hard, but when the sun came out it was hot.

I also had the chance to visit some bat caves