Guatemala's Natural Waterpark: Semuc Champey

By now, Beth and I have visited most of the places in Guatemala we've wanted to. However, one place remained on the list longer than it should have, and we finally made it there two weekends ago. Semuc Champey is a beautiful, natural wonder waterpark out in the middle of no where (just outside of Lanquin, which is a long, rugged ride from Coban).


After staying the night in the wonderful Casa D'Acuña in Coban, we boarded a shuttle early Saturday morning and made the long drive to the park. We arrived midday and immediately got into the pools to cool off and enjoy swimming in the clear and vibrant aqua water. After some initial lounging in the water, our guide took us on an exciting and fun tour down the pools, which included jumping off some high ledges into deep waters, climbding down a rope ladder next to a waterfall, entering a heavily dripping cave to admire the space and rushing waters below, and finally to descending a large, sloping rock to jump off into rushing waters at the end! Fun, exciting, and dangerous!? You bet! Only in Guatemala, as we say...





After our tour through the pools, we went on a nearly straight up-hill hike to a mirador, or, lookout point, to admire the natural formation from above. It was incredible to see it from this height.



Following the hike, we cooled off again with more swimming, then had a late lunch, and swam a bit more before leaving the area. But our day wasn't over yet...




From Semuc, we drove a short distance to one of four giant caves in the area. This cave was unique in that it was incredibly spacious, with open areas that reached 40' high or more in places. We entered at dusk and slowly made out way through the slippery and humid cave, stopping at various points for our guide to explain how the Mayans still use the space today, point out interestingly-shaped structures, or giant insects that look like a hybrids between a scorpion and a spider!

To conclude the tour, we trekked back to the mouth of the cave. By now, it was completely dark outside, and time for the bats to come out. Yes, the bats. Some 2 million of them!



So, we stood right near the opening and in the path of all the bats heading out to feast on insects! It was so amazing to see them streaming out and around us. I felt like Bruce Wayne becoming Batman as they streamed around me me. It was so amazing to be right in their way and never have one run in to me as they deftly echo-located out of the way. I loved it! Beth on the other hand was beginning to panic and not enjoying the experience whatsoever. The creepy insects put her on edge, but then having to sit in darkness (yes, they turned out the cave lights) while millions of bats flew around her was just too much. Thankfully we left just before she had a total nervous breakdown.


It was an incredibly full, fun, and memorable day. I doubt we'll go back before June since it's so far out of the way, but Beth and I both rank it as one of the highlights of our travels in Guatemala.

(Check out the video below to see the bats!)