Hi,
I'm planning a trip to Guatemala and I'm looking to rent a car. A lot of (older) reports say the road to Semuc is impassible except in a 4WD. However, some of the more recent reports also say the road is being improved. Has anyone been there recently? What's the current state of the road? Could I get to Semuc in a 2WD car? Thanks for your help!
Dan
The road was bad when we were there last in 2014. According to recent reports the road hasn't improved and you would need a 4WD. But you can stay in Lanquin and take a pick-up truck to Semuc in the morning or you can take a tour.
I've driven into Semuc a few times over the last ten years. The road is slick if wet, more mud than gravel, slick enough to need 4x4 or plenty of weight in the back of a two wheel drive truck. When it is dry, any car can pick its way through but expect some undercarriage scraping. The grades are one lane with two concrete tire paths to travel over, the center and the sides tend to be washed out to the point where you have to be careful with a 4x4 if you have to leave the concrete for oncoming traffic. I always rent a 4x4 in Guatemala if I plan on going into the backcountry. Semuc is backcountry.
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