Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Order a flight of infused ya dong shots.
Tep Bar
Thai-Chinese makes up Bangkok’s largest diaspora.
Nai Ek Roll Noodle
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
7 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
8 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
9 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
10 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Guatemala Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey

Hidden deep in the Guatemalan jungle is a turquoise paradise of natural pools, caves, and waterfalls.

Guatemala

Added By
Rachel Fritts
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Semuc Champey   Boris G on Flickr
Semuc Champey   Boris G on Flickr
Semuc Champey   Boris G on Flickr
Semuc Champey   frittsra / Atlas Obscura User
Semuc Champey   frittsra / Atlas Obscura User
Trail sign: Cataracts   dfculbert / Atlas Obscura User
Trail sign: Water Cycle   dfculbert / Atlas Obscura User
Resturant Champe   dfculbert / Atlas Obscura User
Falls at top of river   dfculbert / Atlas Obscura User
view from top of Woodland trail   dfculbert / Atlas Obscura User
After rain, in september   denese3142 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Tucked away in the densely forested mountains of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, lies an idyllic limestone paradise that despite the grueling hours of off-road forging it takes to get there is one of the most beautiful of the world's hidden natural gems.

Virtually inaccessible to all but the heartiest four-wheel drive vehicles, the Semuc Champey natural monument boasts six stunning tiered turquoise pools, an extensive cave network complete with underground waterfalls, and breathtaking views. The shockingly blue pools rest on top of a natural limestone bridge covering a portion of the Cahabón River.

The site is located far from any large settlement down rough, rock-strewn roads. However the difficulty of getting to this unique natural landscape is rewarded many times over by the sights and experiences awaiting guests upon arrival. Visitors who opt to take the guided tour, which is recommended, will warm up with a rope swing leap into the river — optional, of course — before grabbing a candle and wading through a series of watery caves. The above-ground portion of the tour meanders through the forest before dropping guests at their final activity: a relaxing swim in the limestone pools.

Related Tags

Nature Natural Wonders Hidden Water

Know Before You Go

While it is possible to rent a car and drive on your own, the easiest and safest way to get to Semuc Champey is by booking a minibus through a travel agency in one of Guatemala's larger cities. Minibuses will drop you off at Lanquin, the town closest to Semuc Champey and from there you can either walk for about 2.5 hours or take a 4x4 pickup truck "taxi" to the entrance of the falls. Most hotels in and around Lanquin also offer day tours to Semuc Champey.Paths are wet, rocky, and visibility can be limited: sturdy footwear is recommended.

Community Contributors

Added By

frittsra

Edited By

Ben and Jazzy, aribrown, Erin Everywhere, EricGrundhauser...

  • Ben and Jazzy
  • aribrown
  • Erin Everywhere
  • EricGrundhauser
  • denese3142
  • dfculbert

Published

December 10, 2013

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/travel/in-guatemala-a-torturous-drive-to-a-remote-eden.html?_r=0
  • http://www.hollandsentinel.com/article/20131110/News/131119974
  • http://expertvagabond.com/semuc-champey/
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semuc_Champey
  • https://www.roadaffair.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-visiting-semuc-champey/
Semuc Champey
Guatemala
15.533333, -89.961389

Nearby Places

Mayan Stelae at Quirigua

Guatemala

miles away

Mixco Viejo (Jilotepeque Viejo)

Guatemala

miles away

Mapa en Relieve

Guatemala City, Guatemala

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Guatemala

Guatemala

Central America

Places 26
Stories 8

Nearby Places

Mayan Stelae at Quirigua

Guatemala

miles away

Mixco Viejo (Jilotepeque Viejo)

Guatemala

miles away

Mapa en Relieve

Guatemala City, Guatemala

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Guatemala

Guatemala

Central America

Places 26
Stories 8

Related Places

  • No Name Lake.

    Oregon

    No Name Lake

    Unknown to many, this sparkling turquoise lake hides amid Oregon's snowcapped mountains.

  • The ghost forest in the fog.

    Neskowin, Oregon

    Neskowin Ghost Forest

    The eerie remnants of an ancient forest were hidden under the sand for centuries.

  • Water gushes down a green mountain at Asik-Asik falls.

    Alamada, Philippines

    Asik-Asik Falls

    This wondrous waterfall rushing down a green-covered mountain wasn't discovered until 2010.

  • Looking up from the entrance to the Hidden Beach.

    Islas Marietas, Mexico

    Hidden Beach

    A lovers' beach, tucked below the surface of the island, provides a safe haven for romance.

  • Bolton Strid

    Yorkshire, England

    Bolton Strid

    This lovely little burbling creek is actually a deadly waterway that has dragged down everyone who ever set foot in it.

  • Boat in the khors of Oman

    Khasab, Oman

    The Desert Fjords of Oman

    Take the most scenic fjord landscape in Norway and add dramatic red cliffs, warm clear water, and playful dolphins.

  • Poza Azul the end view.

    Cuatrociénegas, Mexico

    Poza Azul

    A spectrum of colors awaits visitors to one of Mexico's most gorgeous bodies of water.

  • Shetland’s major industry of fish farming is present near the ayres.

    Shetland Islands, Scotland

    Ayres of Swinister

    The recurring nature of this geographic feature might make it unique in the world.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.