Semuc Champey, Tikal & Rio Dulce: 5-Day Guatemala Journey

Summary

Swim in turquoise pools, wake up in Tikal’s jungle and cruise Rio Dulce to Livingston

You’ll swim in Semuc Champey’s surreal blue pools, walk through Tikal’s jungle at sunrise with a local guide, take a boat along Río Dulce to Livingston, and stand beside Quiriguá’s towering Mayan stelae. It’s five days of new tastes, early mornings, laughter, and little moments you’ll probably keep thinking about long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that stuck with me was the color — that unreal turquoise of Semuc Champey’s pools. We’d arrived after a long drive from Guatemala City (the van left before sunrise; I barely remember breakfast), and by noon I was standing barefoot on warm rock, water rushing around my ankles. Our guide, José, pointed out the lookout above us — “It’s worth the climb,” he promised — but honestly I just wanted to float for a while and let the sound of the river drown out everything else. There was this faint smell of moss and something sweet I couldn’t place. Maybe it was just relief.

The next morning we stopped in Cobán for breakfast — eggs with black beans and tortillas, plus a quick visit to an orchid station where one of the women laughed at my terrible Spanish (I tried). Then we drove north toward Flores. By the time we reached Tikal, the air felt different: heavier, thick with jungle sounds. Waking up for sunrise inside Tikal National Park is something I didn’t expect to hit so hard. Our small group shuffled quietly between temples as howler monkeys started up somewhere above us. The light on Temple IV made everything look ancient but alive. Lunch back at the lodge tasted better than it should’ve — or maybe I was just starving from all that walking.

After Tikal came Río Dulce. The boat ride through the national park was one of those moments where you keep looking around because you can’t quite believe it’s real — pelicans gliding low over the water, kids waving from wooden docks, someone grilling fish onshore (the smoke drifted across and made me hungry again). We reached Livingston and wandered a bit before heading back to our resort. It rained that night; I fell asleep listening to frogs and distant music from somewhere downriver.

Last stop: Quiriguá. I’ll admit I knew almost nothing about Mayan stelae before this trip — but standing next to that giant carved stone (the tallest in the Mayan world, apparently), it felt like history wasn’t just something you read about but something heavy you could touch. Our guide explained some of the glyphs; I nodded along but mostly just stared up at all that detail and wondered how they even managed it centuries ago.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guatemala pick up and Semuc Champey

• Pick up travelers early 5am
• Drive to Cobán, stop for breakfast
• Continue to Lanquin and Semuc Champey
• Arrive Semuc Champey about 12pm
• Enjoy pools and swim
• Climb lookout point

Day 2 — Travel to Flores and Tikal

• Depart Semuc Champey 7am
• Stop for breakfast in Cobán
• Visit orchid experimental station
• Continue to Flores
• Accommodation at Tikal Jaguar Inn

Day 3 — Tikal National Park tour

• Sunrise tour of Tikal National Park
• Visit Twin Pyramid complex and Main Plaza
• Explore Central and North Acropolis
• See Temples I, II, III, IV and Lost World
• Visit Temple V and Plaza of Seven Temples
• Lunch included
• Depart to Río Dulce 2pm
• Arrive Río Dulce 5:30pm
• Accommodation at Banana Palms

Day 4 — Río Dulce boat ride and Livingston

• Depart early to Río Dulce
• Boat ride through national park
• Travel Río Dulce to Livingston
• Return to resort for relaxation
• Accommodation at Banana Palms

Day 5 — Quiriguá visit and return

• Visit Quiriguá UNESCO site
• See tallest Mayan stela and monuments
• Continue to Guatemala City or Antigua

Top questions

How long is the Semuc Champey, Tikal & Rio Dulce tour?

The tour lasts 5 days and includes overnight stays in eco lodges along the route.

Is hotel pickup included for this Guatemala tour?

Yes, pickup is included from Guatemala City at 5am on day one.

Do I need to be very fit for this trip?

You should have at least moderate physical fitness; there are steps and some hiking involved.

Are meals included during the tour?

Lunch is included each day; breakfast stops are made en route but not always included.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay in double rooms at eco lodges such as Portal de Semuc and Jaguar Inn in Tikal.

Is transportation between locations provided?

Yes, all ground transportation between destinations is included as part of the tour package.

Will there be a local guide throughout?

A bilingual driver-guide accompanies you for logistics and local insights during activities.

Is there a boat ride on Río Dulce included?

Yes, there is an exceptional boat ride through Río Dulce National Park up to Livingston.

What are some highlights of Quiriguá?

You’ll see UNESCO-listed Mayan ruins including the tallest stela and zoomorphic monuments.

What’s included

Your days include early morning hotel pickup from Guatemala City, all entry fees for Semuc Champey, Tikal, Río Dulce National Park and Quiriguá; four nights’ accommodation in eco lodges with double rooms; daily lunch; ground transport between sites; a memorable boat ride on Río Dulce; plus guidance from a bilingual driver-guide who keeps things running smoothly (and sometimes throws in a joke or two).