Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey, hidden deep in the jungle-clad mountains of central Guatemala, is one of the most beautiful and magical natural wonders in the country. Here a natural limestone bridge spans the powerful Cahabon River, which thunders through a cave beneath, while on top of the bridge a stunning staircase of stepped, turquoise-green pools of clear water cascades gently down, surrounded by dense green jungle, a paradise for swimming, with a viewpoint above offering a breathtaking panorama.

What you actually see

• The turquoise pools - the staircase of stepped, clear turquoise pools.
• The natural bridge - the limestone bridge over the thundering river.
• The viewpoint - the panorama over the pools from above.
• Swimming - the gentle pools for a jungle swim.

When to go

November to April, the dry season, when the roads are more passable and the pools at their clearest turquoise; heavy rain in the wet season can cloud the water and make the rough access roads difficult.

Honest expectations

It is genuinely remote, reached by long, rough, often bumpy roads via Lanquin, so getting there is an adventure and part of a multi-day trip, not a day tour from the main sights. The viewpoint hike is steep. The water can be cloudy after heavy rain. Its remoteness keeps it relatively unspoilt, and the turquoise pools are stunning.

Nearby

The Lanquin caves and the town of Coban are within the region.