Semuc Champey
Semuc Champey. Guatemala.
SEMUC Champey was declared in 1999 Natural Monument by the then President of the Republic of Guatemala, Álvaro Arzú Irigoyen and it is very close geographically to the national Park Grutas de Lanquín with which it shares a center of visitors to give Tourist coverage.
It is a natural enclave located near the Guatemalan municipality of Lanquín (12 km approx. south of Lanquín), in the Department of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. In the middle of a thick tropical forest there is a natural limestone bridge of about 300 meters long by which flows the river Cahabón and in whose surroundings there are a large number of pools of 1 to 3 m deep , whose turquoise-green or jade color changes throughout the year, varying with climate, sunshine and other natural factors. At the end you can observe the river Cahabón as it is inside a limestone cavern, a very dangerous area to approach within the river by the force of water, only allowed to observe distance this natural geographic phenomenon.
Due to the subtropical forest surrounding the site, the same has an enormous ecological richness, among which more than 100 species of birds have been identified; 34 mammals, 25 reptiles and amphibians; and 10 fish in addition to more than 120 different species of trees. It has a viewpoint of 700 m high to observe the 350 m long of the natural pools that make up “Semuc Champey “, with cataracts of up to 40 feet high and all the pools fed by streams of the place.
To get to this place, you must travel from Guatemala City by the road to the Atlantic, reach the village of Rancho, Km81, deviate in search of the city of Coban, km 216, and thence to Lanquín, then board a pick up that will take you to Semuc Champey.
Semuc Champey. Guatemala.
Hotel Casa Santo Domingo
Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. Guatemala.
It is a luxurious 5-star hotel that is located in a former convent a 10 minute walk from the center of Antigua Guatemala. In the 17th century, the convent of Santo Domingo was one of the largest in the Americas and in 1773, the Santa Marta earthquake destroyed it almost entirely. In 1989 began the development of a project called Casa Santo Domingo, rescue of the vestiges, the convent and the temple buried by tons of rubble. Progressively arose Hotel Museum Spa Casa Santo Domingo where each corner is a page lost in time that joins others to form a beautiful architectural ensemble protagonist of the Great Book of its history.
In 1979 UNESCO declared to the colonial city of the old Guatemala, Cultural patrimony of the humanity making it a recognized treasure of exceptional value in the eyes of the world and giving way to many tourist visits to this beautiful hotel.
Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. Guatemala.
Hotel Santo Domingo has spacious rooms, which are surrounded by beautiful gardens and feature elegant décor, a fireplace and panoramic views. All rooms feature cable-plasma TVs, a safe, a minibar and a private bathroom.
This museum hotel offers guided tours of its attractions, such as its pharmacy, colonial art and Archaeological Museum. It also has a chapel, a workshop of ceramics and wax and the largest factory and Jade Museum in Antigua.
Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. Guatemala.
The gourmet restaurant El Fork serves breakfast and traditional cuisine. Guests can also enjoy snacks and refreshments on the terrace of the El fitted bar.
Free private parking, a car rental service and a daily airport shuttle service are also available for an additional fee. The hotel is located 45 km from Guatemala city.
Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. Guatemala.
Xetulul Amusement Park. Guatemala.
Xetulul Amusement Park. Guatemala.
Xetulul is a theme park in Guatemala. It is located in the Department of Retalhuleu, in the southwestern part of the country. Inaugurated in 2002, it is the third largest amusement park in Latin America, after Beto Carrero World in Penha, Santa Catarina, Brazil and SIX flags Mexico near Mexico City, Mexico. Xetutul is associated with the nearby Xocomil Water Park, which opened in 1997, and together, the two parks receive more than one million visitors each year, making the parks the most popular tourist attraction in the country.
Xetulul Amusement Park. Guatemala.
Xetulul is operated by the Institute for the Recreation of workers of the private Guatemalan industry (IRTRA), a private company that operates several other parks in Guatemala, as well as hotels and restaurants nearby.
Xetulul Amusement Park. Guatemala.
In the great amusement park Xetulul you will find magic and fun for the whole family. You can do a variety of activities and enjoy impressive attractions and exciting electro-mechanical games for adults and children, spectacular street shows and the Fantastic magic show of the Great Theatre of France. There are also extraordinary gift shops and diversity of restaurants for all tastes in the different squares that provide an architectural scenario that shows the origin and history of Guatemala, as well as the European countries that have Influenced Guatemalan culture. Xetulul tiene capacidad para recibir 12,000 visitantes simultáneamente y está formado por 9 plazas: Plaza Chapin, Pueblo Guatemalteco, Plaza Maya, Plaza España, Plaza Italia, Plaza Francia, Plaza Alemania/Suiza, Pueblo Caribeño y Pueblo Fantasía.
Xetulul Amusement Park. Guatemala.
Major airports
La Aurora International Airport. Guatemala.
International airports are three, in addition to others for national use. La Aurora International Airport is the largest in the country. Serves Guatemala city. The Manuel Estrada Cabrera International Airport of the city of Quetzaltenango, located in Guatemala, serves the city of Quetzaltenango, and the air of Central America, and South America, and western Guatemala. Also known as “Los Altos “, “Xela “, or “Manuel Estrada Cabrera “. Mundo Maya International Airport is one of the largest and most congested airports in Guatemala, after the Aurora, Quetzaltenango Airport and Retahuleu Airport (which is Air Force). It is located 488 km from Guatemala City, in the city of Santa Elena de la Cruz, Department of Petén and serves the central area of the entire department. This airport receives local flights from all over Guatemala, Central America, Mexico and during some times of the United States year.
Quetzaltenango International Airport. Guatemala.
Lake Atitlan.
Lake Atitlan. Guatemala.
Lake Atitlan is one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala and perhaps, all over Central America. The word “Atitlán” translates as among the waters and it is a lake of volcanic origin that nowadays is surrounded by villages of all kinds that for decades attract all the travelers who are encouraged to know Guatemala.
It is one of the main economic sources of the Department of Sololá in Guatemala. In addition to being a very attractive tourist center, it serves a lot of commercial support.
It is a very relaxed place, in which it is possible to combine a few days of rest, with interesting visits to cultural level or excursions and activities in the nature. The possibilities are many and either in a two-day visit or in a two-week period, good experiences will never be exhausted.
On the shores of the lake are the volcanoes of Atitlán (3537 MASL), Tolimán (3158 masl) and Volcán San Pedro (3020 MASL). The lake is located at 1560 meters above sea level and is 18 km long. Its depth, which varies in many points, is unknown, but has been probed more than 350 meters deep.
Lake Atitlan. Guatemala.
One of the characteristics of Lake Atitlan is a strong wind known as Xocomil. The etymology of Xocomil comes from the voices Cakchiqueles Xocom, of jocom = to collect; Il = sins, that is, the wind that collects the sins of the inhabitants of the villages located on the shores of the lake. It is usually produced at noon.
Paseo Cayalá.
Paseo Cayalá. Guatemala.
About 11 kilometres from Guatemala City, the route finally runs into imposing white stucco walls, a huge iron gate behind which there is another city. Cayalá City is a destination where you can enjoy nature, the comforts of modern life, with access to various buildings for religious, cultural and recreational activities of the community. Here reigns silence, which contrasts with the noise of horns and band music that thunder in all corners and buses in Guatemala city. Visitors drink hot chocolate and lattes while they see stained glass.
The design of this city is based on the concept of classical urbanism where the planning of the city is based on the needs of the inhabitants. The roofs of Red gables have vaults. Residents enjoy cappuccinos and lattes under the umbrella of Red parasols, in comfortable silver-colored coffee chairs along a cobblestone street. Ciudad Cayalá means paradise in Cakchiquel, an appropriate name for this city that is located in the midst of two ecological reserves of 60 blocks of land and were donated by Grupo Cayalá more than two decades ago.
City Cayalá. Guatemala.
It pretends to be a neo-urbanist city within Guatemala City. The concept of this city is to avoid the use of cars, to have everything close, shops, offices, place of work, church. There are plenty of uniformed private guards, with small earphones in their ears, many of which are mobilized on Segway motorized skateboards. Unlike shopping centers and other stores in the capital, where guards carry rifles, Cayalá carry guns hidden.
It has a Central park with activities for adults and children; As canopy which is the largest in the city of Guatemala.
The 14-hectare Cayalá promenade is the first of these complexes, including houses, boutiques, parks, a church, nightclubs and restaurants, all enclosed in a white wall.
City Cayalá. Guatemala.
In the last 12 months, the small Guatemalan elite began to build the first of a series of projects aimed at creating an independent virtual city on the outskirts of the capital, outside the crime and traffic congestion of the city.
The giant of Cayalá. Guatemala.
Santa Maria Volcano.
Santa Maria Volcano. Guatemala.
The Santa Maria volcano is a large dormant volcano in the mountainous area of western Guatemala, near the city of Quetzaltenango. Its eruption in 1902 was one of the three largest eruptions of the twentieth century and the third largest eruption of that year, after Mount Pelée in Martinique and the Soufrière in San Vicente. It was also one of the five biggest eruptions of the last 200 years. The violent explosion that occurred in Guatemala occurred after the volcano remained 500 years in silence.
The Santa Maria Volcano is located close to the city of Quetzaltenango and is the tallest room in Guatemala. Sometimes, in the cold period (Winter (October-February)), it is covered with frost or snow and can be seen from the city of Quetzaltenango its white cone, although it is not very common, but if occasionally fall snowfalls. The last snowfall occurred on January 25th, 2013, being able to appreciate from the south coast of the country and the center of the city.
Volcán Santa María. Guatemala.
San Pedro volcano.
San Pedro volcano. Guatemala.
The San Pedro volcano has stunning views over the Great Lake Atitlan and a medium-difficulty trekking through lush vegetation. It is a stratovolcano located on the southwest side of the caldera of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. It has an altitude of 3020 MASL. The town of San Pedro la Laguna, in the Department of Sololá, in the western part of the Republic of Guatemala, is located at the foot of the volcano. For its location this volcano is one of the three guardians of Lake Atitlan. In fact, it is located in the western part of the water mantle.
The San Pedro volcano is an almost perfect cone, that approaches to be symmetrical and is part of the Central American Volcanic Arc, a chain of volcanoes that extends along the western coast of Central America, and that was formed by the subduction of the plate of coconuts under The Caribbean plate. These volcanoes are part of the Pacific Fire Belt.
It has been estimated that a person with good health can ascend to the summit of the volcano in approximately 4.5 hours. While for the descent an average of 4 hours or less is used.
San Pedro volcano. Guatemala.
Tips for your trip
Antigua Guatemala.
First of all, the ideal season to travel to Guatemala extends from October to May.
Prepare light clothes to withstand the sweltering heat of Petén and the coast. Take also something fatter, that in the highlands temperatures are cooler. And you’ll need something to protect you from moisture. Don’t forget comfortable shoes to hike or visit archeological ruins. Also something for possible stomach problems. In Guatemala there is malaria, consult with your doctor the option of some treatment. It still has a repellent, a mosquito net and long-sleeved clothes and ankles.
There is no compulsory vaccine to travel to Guatemala, only the yellow fever if it comes from an endemic country. Tetanus, MMR, typhoid, and Hepatitis A and B vaccines are recommended according to the areas to be visited. It also considers some treatment for malaria. Check the official pages of the country and with your primary care physician before making a decision.
A camera and memory cards to make a lot of pictures and videos. It has an A/B/G/I type power adapter to charge the batteries. Do not forget to photocopy the personal documentation or passport, as well as international driver’s license if you want to rent a car.
As for the payment method, the official currency is the Quetzal, but the use of dollars is widespread.
The safety conditions in the tourist and classic travel places of Guatemala are good, although it is true that there are places where you have to take more precautions. In general, pay attention to personal and valuable objects in large cities, avoid crowds and avoid travelling alone and at night.
In the case of wanting to carry out adventure activities like the ascent to a volcano, consult the climatic and safety conditions before going. The seismic risk is very present throughout the country so that at any moment a natural catastrophe could occur.
The passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of return. The visa is not necessary for stays under 3 months.
The official language is Spanish. All the Guatemalans speak it, except some irreducible indigenous people who continue speaking the Mayan language.
Most power outlets are 110 volts. Some are 220 volts, but it’s not the usual.
Main destinations
Artisan market. Guatemala.
Guatemala receives about two million tourists annually. In recent years there has been the visit of many cruise ships that touch important seaports of Guatemala, which involves the visit of more tourists to the country.
In its territory are fascinating Mayan archaeological enclaves Tikal, Quiriguá, Iximché, and in Guatemala city. As natural beauty destinations you will find Lake Atitlan and Semuc Champey.
Lake Atitlan is one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala and perhaps, all over Central America. The word ‘ Atitlan ‘ translates as among the waters and is a lake of volcanic origin, which today is surrounded by villages of all kinds that for decades attract all travelers who are encouraged to know Guatemala.
Semuc Champey. Guatemala.
Semuc ChampeyIt was declared in 1999 Natural Monument. In the middle of a thick tropical forest there is a natural limestone bridge of about 300 meters long by which flows the river Cahabón, and in whose surroundings there are a large number of pools of 1 to 3 m deep , whose turquoise-green or jade color changes throughout the year, varying with climate, sunshine and other natural factors. It has a viewpoint of 700 m high to observe the 350 m long of the natural pools that make up “Semuc Champey “, with cataracts of up to 40 feet high and all the pools fed by streams of the place.
As historical tourism is the colonial city of Antigua Guatemala, which is Cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO. One of its tourist-religious centres is the Basilica of Esquipulas and the national parks and other protected areas such as the Mayan Biosphere Reserve. In addition, there are the beaches in the Pacific and the Atlantic of Guatemala.
Other tourist destinations are Panajachel the city on the shores of Lake Atitlan, considered for many the most beautiful in the world. Its calm waters and the three volcanoes that surround the lake are one of the unique wonders that nature gives away. Walk the streets of the city and discover the Guatemalan culture. Around the lake you will find many more villages and activities for all tastes.
Tikal, the ancient Mayan city, houses the highest Mayan pyramid excavated to date. You can explore the entire archaeological complex, surrounded by breathtaking nature. This city saw the Mayan culture flourish and you will be able to discover all the secrets that still enclosed in a lush virgin forest.
Tikal National Park, Guatemala.
Coban shines especially for its beautiful surroundings, the caves of the King Mark, the refuge of the Quetzal (where one can contemplate the bird symbol of the nation), and the Lachuá Lagoon, among other natural wonders. At the end of the year the most important Miss indigenous contest in Guatemala is held, on the occasion of Rabin Ajaw. The costumes, crowns, and diversity of Guatemalan traditions that the event brings together are particularly fascinating and are broadcast on national television.
Flores is just a really wonderful little town. It is a very tourist place with narrow cobbled alleys, the colorful facades of their houses and hospitable inhabitants and the city of Quetzaltenango with its historic center full of colonial houses and neoclassical buildings. Touring its streets, its markets see its municipal theater and its incredible Central America Square, one of the most beautiful parks in the country, you can also find very good restaurants, visit a cemetery that is quite well preserved. We find the “Natural History Museum”, which has just been renovated, where you will discover the country’s most native Indian face between markets and churches, or Livingston, a Caribbean coastal town with a lot of rhythm.
City Cayalá. Guatemala.
City Cayalá which means paradise in Cakchiquel, an appropriate name for this city which is located in the middle of two ecological reserves of 60 blocks of land and were donated by Cayalá group more than two decades ago. The design of this city is based on the concept of classical urbanism where the planning of the city is based on the needs of the inhabitants.
Guatemala has soft beaches on its Pacific coast and lowland plains to the north of the country, on the Caribbean or Pacific Coast, with landscapes as different as charming. The most outstanding are Monterrico and Playa Blanca.
Get lost in the Chichicastenango market between colorful stalls, full of Guatemalan handicrafts or exotic fruits. You will discover the authentic atmosphere of the country, mixing with the local people and finding the most typical products.
In the great amusement park Xetulul you will find magic and fun for the whole family. You can do a variety of activities and enjoy impressive attractions and exciting electro-mechanical games for adults and children, spectacular street shows and the Fantastic magic show of the Great Theatre of France. There are also extraordinary gift shops and diversity of restaurants for all tastes in the different squares that provide an architectural scenario that shows the origin and history of Guatemala.
Xetulul Amusement Park. Guatemala.
