Hi Everyone,
I am heading to Guatemala and spending most of my time in Antigua where I have some family. Hoping to find some cool folks to adventure with. While in Guate, I am hoping to visit Semuc Champay but am hesitant to travel to that remote of an area by myself. I am also hoping to climb Pacaya.
If you will be in the area and want to have let me know!
Here is my instagram account so you can see what I am about, I love photography and hiking: https://instagram.com/susymargarita/
-Susy
I am hoping to visit Semuc Champay
The tours from Antigua to Semuc are cheap enough. I would check out service by being around when a group gets back and ask them a few questions. My experience has been that the cheapest tours are not always the best value because of rundown equipment or the firm trying to do too much for too little. If you take a tour, there will be other people along, a few you might even like. I've met some interesting folk on tours out of Antigua.
Thanks so much @Kwallek, I def would prefer to do the tour with other folks potentially make some friends. I don't mind spending a little more money to be safe and know every thing will be taken care of. I appreciate your response!
Please be aware that Semuc is experiencing some problems. The locals have been blocking the road and entrance. Semuc is open again but security is not what it used to be.
Read this: http://www.prensalibre.com/guatemala/alta-verapaz/sitio-turistico-semuc-champey-seria-entregado-por-manifestantes-este-martes
And this:
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-g292002-i1599-k8945638-Semuc_Champey_advice-Guatemala.html
You can easily take a shuttle from Antigua to Lanquin. Once there you can stay in the village or closer to Semuc. You can visit Semuc on your own but if you book a tour (once you are there) to visit Semuc you will be with lots of other people. I am not sure if tours are possible right now. Try to find out what the situation is before you go. Tour operators and hotels in Lanquin/Semuc should be able to tell you whether tours are possible or only individual visits are allowed.
This what we used to do (before the protests started): we stayed in Lanquin. If you do too check out the bat caves at dusk (take a flashlight, explore the caves, sit in the cave at the entrance and wait for the bats to fly out). The next morning take a pick-up truck to Semuc. You can climb to the viewpoint, see where the river disappears under the limestone, swim in the pools, go from pool to pool and do the walking trail next to the river. At the entrance the locals will be cooking, great for lunch. Kids will be selling chocolate. Try it. It is different than what we are used to but I like it. You could go to the Kan'Ba caves on your own as well. Walk out of Semuc, cross the bridge and turn left. They will just add you to a group. They can take you tubing as well. The caves are very adventurous. Some would say dangerous. You swim holding a candle, jump into pools, go down a waterfall, you climb and slide... Our friends enjoyed it but one hurt her toe badly. If you go on a tour it usually includes the caves. One full day for Semuc is enough but as it takes time to get there lots of people like to stay a second day to play in the river, go for a walk, rent a tube, relax...
As for Pacaya. All tour agencies in Antigua offer Pacaya tours. OX even has an overnight Pacaya trip.
You can visit Semuc on your own but if you book a tour (once you are there) to visit Semuc you will be with lots of other people.
You can't go with a tour guide right now. But you don't need one, cause the park is really small. Just make sure you go with a small group of people who are staying in the same hotel/hostel.
The latest news is that tours are indeed not allowed. But things change all the time. In normal circumstances I agree you don't need a tour or a guide. We have visited the park without one many times (see above). But if the protests are still going on and tours are not allowed I would not advise going on your own or even with a small group. If I would go at all I would go with a local guide (they will be offering their services at the entrance) as people are being mugged right now. Please read the links I posted above.
Thanks everyone, I guess I will have to look into what is going on at the end of the month to see if it is a good idea or not, definitely don't want to attempt to go if it will be unsafe.
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