LANQUÍN, GUATEMALA

Lanquín is a very small town in central Guatemala known for being the gateway to Semuc Champey - one of Central America’s best-kept secrets! Hidden in the Guatemalan jungle, this site is a photographer’s turquoise paradise with natural limestone pools, rushing waterfalls, and natural caves. Yes, it is not the easiest to get to but it is absolutely worth the trip!

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Attractions:

  • Semuc Champey: Truly one of the most beautiful places in Central America! Not only can you swim in the limestone pools but you can also hike, explore caves, and go tubing! You can easily spend a full day here. From Lanquín, there are pick-up trucks that run to Semuc Champey multiple times daily. Hop in the back of one and hold on; the ride is 45 minutes and costs 20Q ($2.50 USD). There is also a 50Q ($6.50 USD) entrance fee. When you arrive, I recommend first hiking up to the mirador. The round-trip hike is an hour and provides a fabulous, bird’s-eye view of the pools! Then, make your way to the pools; there are six of them and they can all be swam in! If you feel your feet being tickled, that’s just the fish eating your dead skin! For an additional 70Q ($9 USD), you can explore the caves. Transparently, this tour would not meet the safety standards in the United States but do not let that deter you! It involves swimming while holding a candle above the water to provide light. You can scale an underground waterfall and dive into the water! Afterwards, if you’re feeling up for it, you can tube down the river and/or swing off of a rope into it!

  • Lanquín Caves: Located in Parque Nacional Grutas de Lanquín, these caves can be explored with or without a guide depending on your spelunking skills! The guided tour costs $65 USD and is 6 hours round-trip. If you go by yourself, be careful and be sure to bring a headlamp. The beginning of the cave is dimly lit but the further you go, the harder it is to see - especially if you don’t know your way. The caves can be reached on foot in 25 minutes from the center of town.

  • Other attractions include: Tuqtuquilal, Utopia Cacao Farms, and Canopy Guayaha.

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Accommodation:

I have two hostel recommendations depending on where you are hoping to stay - in town or near Semuc Champey.

  • El Retiro: This hostel is the best of both worlds since it’s in the heart of Lanquín but also very close to the surrounding nature. El Retiro is locally-owned and situated right next to the river running through town. They also have a restaurant and great tour options!

  • Utopia Eco Hostel: If you are looking to stay close to Semuc Champey and get some seclusion from the hustle and bustle of Guatemala, this is your spot. Utopia Eco Hostel is immersed in the Guatemalan jungle 45 minutes from Lanquín.

Transportation:

The main bus stop in Lanquín is next to their “Central Park” and where all of the below chicken buses depart from. If you choose to travel via shuttle bus, those will pick you up from your hostel.

  • Flores is 8 hours by shuttle bus from Lanquín and costs $20 USD via Gekko Trails Explorer. This shuttle picks up at 8:00am and arrives in Lanquín at approximately 4:00pm.

    • Flores is also reachable via chicken bus if you’d like to save money (but not time). This route takes 10-11 hours (indirect; via Cobán) and costs 120Q ($15 USD). The first bus from Lanquín to Cobán is 3 hours and costs 40Q. The second bus from Cobán to Flores is 7-8 hours and costs 80Q.

  • Antigua is 9 hours by shuttle bus from Lanquín and costs $23 USD via Gekko Trails Explorer. This shuttle picks up at your hostel at 8:00am and arrives in Antigua at approximately 5:00pm.

    • Antigua is also reachable via chicken bus if you’d like to save money (but not time). This route takes 12-14 hours (indirect; via Cobán and Guatemala City) and costs 110Q ($14 USD). I do not recommend this route because it requires transferring buses in Guatemala City and the mountainous terrain is not ideal for chicken bus travel. The first bus from Lanquín to Cobán is 3 hours and costs 40Q. The second bus from Cobán to Guatemala City is 6-8 hours and costs 60Q. The third bus from Guatemala City to Antigua is 1.5 hours and costs 10Q; buses leave every 15 minutes from 5:00am-9:00pm.

  • San Ignacio, Belize is 10-12 hours by shuttle bus, chicken bus, and taxi (indirect; via Flores, Melchor de Mencos, and Benque) from Lanquín and costs $28 USD. First, take a shuttle bus from Lanquín to Flores (8 hours; $20 USD). From Flores, take a chicken bus to Melchor de Mencos (2 hours; $4 USD). After crossing the border on foot, take a taxi from Melchor de Mencos to Benque (5 minutes; $3 USD). Lastly, take a bus from Benque to San Ignacio (15 minutes; $1 USD).

    • There are not any fees associated with departing Guatemala or entering Belize.

  • Panajachel (Lake Atitlán’s travel hub) is 12 hours by shuttle bus from Lanquín and costs $45 USD via Adrenalina Tours. Upon arriving in Panajachel, you can take a ferry to any of the surrounding towns (e.g. San Pedro La Laguna, Santiago Atitlán, San Marcos La Laguna, etc.).

    • You can also do this route via chicken bus but it would take more than 15 hours and four separate buses. Follow the above instructions to Antigua and then look my Antigua travel guide to finish the journey to Panajachel.

The closest airports to Lanquín are both 300km (186 miles) away. They are La Aurora International Airport (GUA) outside of Guatemala City and Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS) outside of Flores. There are not direct transportation options so I recommend spending time in Flores and/or Antigua first before making the journey to Lanquín.