Semuc Champey & Lanquín Caves tour from Cobán: Turquoise pools

The stone bridge and the turquoise pools beneath it

A full-day private tour from Cobán to Semuc Champey and Lanquín Caves with certified guide, entrance fees and hotel pickup. Hike to a viewpoint overlooking the natural stone bridge and its turquoise pools, then swim in the freshwater below. After lunch, explore the sacred Lanquín Caves, a Mayan ceremonial site with 11 kilometers of passages, only 3+ kilometers explored.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Semuc Champey5h · entry included
2. Lanquín Caves2h · entry included

Explore Semuc Champey and Lanquin Caves

• Pickup from hotel in Cobán
• Travel to Semuc Champey Natural Park
• Hike to Semuc Champey viewpoint
• Swim in turquoise natural pools
• Lunch break
• Visit and explore Lanquin Caves
• Return to hotel in Cobán

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup in Cobán and a drive through the highlands to Semuc Champey, a natural monument declared in 2005. The centerpiece is a 300-meter limestone bridge that forms multiple turquoise pools where the Cahabón River runs beneath. The Q'eqchi' Mayan people named it "Semuc Champey", where the river hides, because the water disappears underground under the stone arch. You hike to a viewpoint at the top of the mountain to see the full span of pools, then descend to swim in the refreshing water surrounded by humid subtropical forest.

After lunch, the guide takes you to Lanquín Caves, a national park created in 1995 and a sacred site in Mayan tradition where ceremonies still take place. The cave system stretches 11 kilometers underground. Only about 3 kilometers have been fully explored and studied. You walk through the rock formations and passages with your certified guide, who explains the cultural and geological significance of the site. The return drive to Cobán takes around 90 minutes.

The full day runs 12 to 13 hours from pickup to drop-off. Bring water shoes, a swimsuit and a full-body towel for Semuc Champey. Wear hiking shoes with good traction for both sites. Environmentally friendly sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended. The hike to the viewpoint and cave exploration require moderate physical fitness.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel in Cobán.
• entrance fee to Semuc Champey Natural Park.
• entrance fee to Lanquín Caves National Park.
• certified tour guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup and return.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Guat2do Travel Experiences

Is this one for you?Book this full-day private tour if you want to see both Semuc Champey's pools and Lanquín Caves in one trip with moderate hiking, and choose your guide's language (English or Spanish) based on what you speak most comfortably.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What exactly is Semuc Champey and why is the water turquoise?

Semuc Champey is a natural stone bridge 300 meters long formed from limestone, with multiple turquoise pools on top where the Cahabón River flows before disappearing underground beneath the arch. The color comes from mineral content and the shallow depth of the water in the pools.

How difficult is the hike to see the pools from above?

The hike to the viewpoint requires moderate physical fitness and involves climbing to the top of a lush mountain. The reward is seeing the full span of the turquoise pools and the stone bridge from above before you descend to swim in them.

What will I see inside Lanquín Caves?

Lanquín Caves feature stunning rock formations and passages through an 11-kilometer underground system. You explore the sections that have been studied and mapped, walking through chambers used historically and still occasionally used today for Mayan ceremonies.

What's included in the price and what should I bring?

The tour includes private transportation, entrance fees to both Semuc Champey and Lanquín Caves, a certified guide, and hotel pickup in Cobán. Bring water shoes, a swimsuit, a full-body towel, environmentally friendly sunscreen and insect repellent. Wear comfortable hiking shoes with good traction.