Turquoise Pools Of Semuc Champey

From a lookout perched on the edge of the mountain, we looked down upon one of the prettiest sites in Guatemala. Far below were tiers of limestone pools cascading down the tight gorge. The turquoise coloured water in the pools combined with the jungle setting makes Semuc Champey a magical site.

Thousands of years ago a ridge of limestone spanned this narrow gorge in the Cahabon River Valley. The limestone formation is called tufa and is formed in a similar way as travertine, except it occurs in cooler water. Calcium carbonate rich water releases carbon dioxide as it flows over cliffs or exits from springs. The resulting precipitate forms tufa, a porous limestone. In Semuc Champey the mineral rich water comes from mountain springs. Over time the rims slowly grew, shaping the pools. The result is the natural wonder of Semuc Champey. 

The water from Cahabon River continues to travels all the way to Isabel Lake, which is where Rio Dulce begins. You can read about this area in our post Relaxing on Rio Dulce.

After seeing Pamukkale’s Thermal Pools in Turkey and Agua Azul in Mexico (Coming Soon), we thought we should visit Guatemala’s version.

When we arrived at Semuc Champey Park we first hiked to a viewpoint to get the best view of these amazing, natural features. It was a hot, sweaty slog in the steamy jungle up to the viewpoint, 120 metres above. The reward though, was a bird’s eye view of the picture-perfect pools which more than made up for the discomfort. Below us were glistening, turquoise pools were cradled between steep jungle walls. It is another reminder of how incredible Mother Nature can be. 

View From Lookout, Semuc Champey, Guatemala
View From Lookout
View From Lookout, Semuc Champey, Guatemala
View From Lookout

What’s unique about Semuc Champey is that Cahabon River river cut its way underneath the limestone, leaving a bridge above. Its Mayan name describes this quite well. Semuc Champey means ‘where the river hides under the earth’.

From the lookout we descended the steep slope to end up at the highest point of the bridge. From here you can see where the river flows under the limestone. When we were still at the lookout above, we saw how the final pool empties into the river in a waterfall.

There have been a few accidents where people fell into the river and were swept under the bridge. The river is apparently quite rough underneath and with no escape, they were trapped under the limestone bridge. Because of this there are ropes preventing anyone from getting too close to the edge, and safety officers patrolling at all times.

Cahabon River going under the bridge, Semuc Champey, Guatemala
Cahabon River going under the bridge
Waterfall at the end of the pools, Semuc Champey, Guatemala
Waterfall at the end of the pools

The walk between the pools can be done on a wooden boardwalk but we chose to pick our way across the uneven limestone floor. The tufa bridge has pockets and channels throughout, so sandals are the best option to avoid getting your shoes wet.

Limestone Bridge, Semuc Champey, Guatemala
Limestone Bridge

The main reason for coming to this site is to see the large, turquoise coloured pools rimmed with white tufa. The turquoise colour comes from minerals in the water and the limestone base. Since the bridge has a slight decline, water from each pool gently cascades into the one below in short, wide walls. Each pool has its own personality, shape and depth. 

Pools, Semuc Champey
Pools
Turquoise Pools, Semuc Champey, Guatemala
Semuc Champey

Most of the waterfalls are short, but in a couple of areas there is a higher drop between the tiers resulting in very pretty scenes.

Waterfalls, Semuc Champey, Guatemala
Semuc Champey
Waterfalls, Semuc Champey, Guatemala
Semuc Champey

You can swim in any of the pools. Some are shallow, up to a metre (3.3 ft) deep allowing you to stand on the bottom. Others are as deep as three meters (9.9 ft). We chose to swim in front of one of the cute waterfalls. The water was cool, but very refreshing after the hot hike. 

We visited on a Sunday and so by mid day the pools were busy with local Guatemalans relaxing in the pools

Semuc Champey, Guatemala
Semuc Champey
Pools, Semuc Champey, Guatemala
Semuc Champey

There’s not really anything to do except relax by or in the refreshing pools and hike to the Mirador. But it is a great place to visit nature in Guatemala. 

Lanquín

The small farming community of San Agustín Lanquín, commonly just called Lanquín, is the closest access to Semuc Champey. It has a beautiful setting in the middle of the green mountains. Life moves at a slow pace in the rural farm town. Every yard seems to have their own roosters, chickens and turkeys, including our hotel.

Lanquín, Guatemala
Lanquín
Weaver Nests, Lanquín, Guatemala
Weaver Nests
Saint Augustine Church, Lanquín, Guatemala
Saint Augustine Church
Lanquín, Guatemala
Lanquín

Even though it’s in the mountains, the town is only at a couple hundred meters in elevation so it was very hot and humid when we were there. Getting a room with air conditioning made it a lot easier to sleep.

Lanquín, Guatemala
Lanquín
Market, Lanquín, Guatemala
Market

On the drive to Lanquín we passed the rolling mountains of the Cuchumatanes Range. Covered in lush, green jungle, the mountain views were stunning.

Cuchumatanes Mountains, Guatemala
Cuchumatanes Mountains
Cuchumatanes Mountains, Guatemala
Cuchumatanes Mountains

Tips for visiting Semuc Champey

  • You need a little patience to reach this amazing natural wonder. First you need to get to the town of Lanquín (see below).
  • To reach the pools from Lanquín, passengers load in the back of pick-up trucks which act like collectivos. There are a couple of seats in the truck, but most of the riders stand in the back for the bumpy drive. Our hotel called one for us, but you can also just wave one down on the road. The drivers cruise around town in the morning looking for rides. 25Q ($3.25 USD) per person, each way.
Collectivos, Lanquín, Guatemala
Collectivos
  • Once you reach Semuc Champey National Park, the path to reach the pools splits in two. You can either walk directly to the pools or hike up 120 m to the lookout. (20-30 min up, 20 min down). We recommend going to the lookout first. You only get 3 minutes at the lookout so use it wisely.
  • Getting to the pools in the morning is best because by noon it is quite busy with families. We visited on a Sunday so it was likely busier than usual. 90% of the people there were locals not foreign tourists.
  • If you want more adventure most of the hostels offer a day long tour that involves cave exploration, rope swings, river tubing and a trip to the Semuc Champey.
  • Entrance fee – 50Q ($6.50 USD); Opening Hours – 8am to 4pm

Where to stay When Visiting Semuc Champey

The pools are located 10 kilometers from the town of Lanquín. This remote town takes most of the day to reach from other parts of Guatemala so you’ll likely have to spend a night or probably two in Lanquín. It is definitely not a tourist town, the homes and shops are very rugged, but there are a number of comfortable hotels and hostels with restaurants.

There are a few hostels/hotels near the entrance to Semuc Champey Park, but they are quite remote and you would need to arrange transportation to and from town.

Getting to Lanquín

You can reach Lanquín by tourist shuttle from Antigua (8 hrs), Flores (4 hrs) or Guatemala City (7 hrs). Tickets are sold at Green Monkey Hostel in Flores and Tropicana Hostel in Antigua. There may be a shuttle to Rio Dulce, but rumors are that it is on the back of a pickup truck.

Return buses to the above cities leave from the bottom of the hill below Puma Gas station.

The shuttle and bus stops are on the edge of town. It seemed like every hostel had a driver waiting at the stop offering free rides. We let our hotel know our arrival time in advance, so they were there to pick us up.

Map of Tourist Sites in Guatemala
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To read more of our adventures in Guatemala, click here.

Coming Next – Colonial Antigua

For pictures from other blogs go to Gallery at monkeystale.ca

To read about more of our adventures go to Destinations.

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54 comments

  • I can see these places would be like a version of the “old swimmin’ hole” to the locals. What a great place to cool off on a hot day. Looks like quite the experience riding in the back of a pickup to get there. Thanks for sharing Maggie. Allan

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    • It’s a great spot for the locals and they seem to love it. The pick up trucks are interesting, and this wasn’t our only time we had to use them unfortunately. It’s a little tough on those bumpy gravel roads 😊

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  • I had no idea there’s a stretch of river that cascades into a series of shallow turquoise pools in the Guatemalan jungle. You guys sure have a knack for finding the best-hidden gems. I love the impressively towering cliffs that frame the river – so beautiful. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx

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    • It was definitely worth the climb. It was so good that we actually went twice. Once at the beginning and then again at the end 😊 I think if we went on Monday it would have been almost empty, but it was also nice to see so many Guatemalans enjoying it. Thanks Mallee, Maggie

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  • Relaxing On Rio Dulce, Guatemala – Monkey's Tale

  • There is one more way to get there, walk! In the early 90s I trekked there from Senahu, in doing so I crossed the Sierra de Santa Cruz. It was an arduous five day journey because of the convoluted route. Semuc Champey doesn’t appear to me to have been a pre-existing cave that was later covered with travertine, which is the simplest explanation. I saw no evidence of any of the original limestone on the roof of what is now the river cave, just travertine. This leads me to suppose that the travertine deposition somehow bridged the river, a truly extraordinary geological phenomenon. I have seen only one other place on earth where one stream crosses another, and that was in a remote part of Guizhou China. I have no proof of this supposition, but in 1993 the late great cave explorer Steve Knutson attempted a Semuc Champey through trip. It was a death defying expedition, and they didn’t make it all the way through. Steve agreed with me that the travertine grew across the river, a marvel of nature.

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    • That’s quite the walk! I read about a few of those people who explored under the river. Even in the dry years it sounds like a harrowing exploration. Thanks for adding your information. Maggie

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  • Those pools do look refreshing. Three minutes at the lookout? Presumably there’s a queue with people being moved on, sounds like when we were shuffled in and out of the Sistine Chapel !

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    • There were a few people when we arrived, but no one after us so we tried to stay longer but weren’t allowed. It seemed like a crazy rule that is followed just because. We ended up hiking up to the lookout on the way back too, just to get 6 minutes 🙂 Maggie

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  • I’m so glad that these pools, looking so like the ones you couldn’t swim in, were accessible. You’ve also possibly answered a question I had about weird nests we saw up north – maybe weaver finches.

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    • And we were so glad because it was very hot! We thought they were weaver’s nests and our hotel confirmed it. We only saw one flying around but no pictures.

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  • How beautiful! I’m glad you did the hike so you could get those amazing views of Semuc Champey from above. 120 meters doesn’t sound a lot, but in the tropics the heat and humidity really make things harder. I love that you always include the towns where you stayed at in your blog posts, including Lanquín. Getting there sounds quite an adventure though.

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    • We half expected the pools to be a disappointment, but they really are that beautiful. It wasn’t too bad of a hike, but it was so hot. I guess that’s why not a lot of people went to it, but that view is the best part. You really have to want to get to Semuc Champey, they’re not really tourist friendly yet 🙂 Thanks Bama, Maggie

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  • Beautiful pictures. The turquoise pools look stunning. I especially love the views from the lookout and of all the little waterfalls. I’m sure it felt amazing to go for a swim after all that hiking.

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  • Thank you for documenting and photographing this wonderful adventure. To me it is a quite amazing location and heretofore unknown to me.

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  • What a beautiful place. After the eight hour, seven or four hours drive, as the case may be, it is certainly a beautiful reward to see the Semuc Champey pools and waterfalls. And see jungle areas that still exist today. Inspiring in many ways. The photos are amazing. You captured such a lovely turquoise in the waters, perfect.

    Thank you for braving the 120m hike to the viewpoint to take those scenic photos. I can see the changes in the vegetation around the turquoise pools from years of changes in the pools. Just amazing.

    I think I noticed at the limestone banks and the waterfalls that there are what look like gaps in the walls. Are there caves in that area, I wonder?

    The city of Lanquin looks a mix of modern (huge modern tractor/excavator) and rural life style. The inhabitants seem to live as you said at a different pace. Thanks for the vision of chickens in every back yard including your hotel…how charming!

    You mentioned that the area is a National Park/monument the city (Languin) roads are great shape.

    By the way do they produce chocolate in that area? Sorry, it may be imagination, since I do not know trees very well; but did I notice cocoa trees?

    P.S. The weather looked perfect especially the views of the Cuchumatanes Mountains. The roads trails look a bit rugged through there!

    What a breathtaking place, every photo made me smile with its idylic vibes. A truly magical visit. Thank you Maggie for the great photos and wonderful information. Safe travels!

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    • Thanks so much Suzette, there are quite a few caves in the area. Some are visited on tours, but there are many more that are unreachable. There is reportedly even one underneath the limestone bridge, but of course it was only visited by researchers.
      I didn’t notice chocolate shops in Lanquin but just before we reached those mountain views we passed a lot of fincas, small coffee and possibly cocoa plantations.
      It really is a magical spot, hidden away in the dense jungle. It was nice to see so many locals relaxing in the pools. I’m sure it will be busier in the years to come as more tourists hear about it, but I hope its beautiful setting isn’t ruined by us tourists. Have a great long weekend! Maggie

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      • Yes, thank you Maggie for the additional information. I agree that once news gets out that more visitors might visit. I hope that the place as a monument with protect its pristine and beautiful atmosphere for generations to enjoy.

        Happy Long weekend and safe travels Maggie.

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    • We do a bit of both. Some places we know of ahead of time, but don’t research how to get there or what to do until we’re closer. Other places we hear about when we’re there and add it to the list. A lot of these places in Guatemala we found from other bloggers.

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  • Magical! The intense turquoise is so alluring. I remember the hike after a rain, with my sneakers getting slurped up by the mud. Glad you took a swim! We met a Peace Corps volunteer there who was helping them develop the place as a tourist site. (This was about 20 years ago.)

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    • Oh wow, it’s still not a very busy tourist site. There were a few young backpackers but most of the people were locals. It’s nice for them to have such a pretty place to cool off.

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