Beauty of Semuc Champey

It was 5:30 in the morning, and although very tired from the previous day, we rushed full of emotion. The previous day, after more than 10 hours away from El Salvador, we came to Coban.

Upon arrival, after resting a while, and checking into the hotel, we went to walk around town and found a street where several houses had tour operators who organize tours (1st Street in Zone 1, adjacent to Central Park.)

We knew we wanted to go Semuc Champey, since we have seen many good reviews online. Asking prices in different places and went back to Hotel.

In the Hotel, we recommend choosing a travel agency to be more formal and enforced. We were told that others sometimes canceled at the last minute tours, or are not punctual. Hotel receptionist call and we made the reservations.

Transport happen at 6:00 am for us so get ready our things. What to wear? Well, swimsuit, towel, sandals, mosquito repellent, flashlight, pure water, a sweater for the return and know that neither I have to mention a camera.

Of course, you have to wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes, and you have to walk. And timely, as expected, came at us.

Transport arrives

Transport was a very comfortable bus with air conditioning and were already a couple of tourists in it.

Picked up more people along the way, and got off at Casa D'Acuña for breakfast (the tour includes breakfast and lunch.) Casa D'Acuña is a more rustic and simple hotel to where we stayed, but cheaper.

We chose Casa Duranta, as it was the newest of Coban. Is a small bed and breakfast, rooms have private bathrooms, hot water and cable. They have a lounge with computers and internet, safety box and fax service. The owners are usually in the hotel so the attention is very good.

My husband and I were, so we took a double room, who goes by the Q400.

The breakfast was delicious and also buy tea and macadamia cake.

At 7:00 am, we returned to the bus and on the way to Semuc Champey.

The trip takes 2 ½ hours, but they are 2 hours full of amazing landscapes.

We stopped for 10 minutes at a viewpoint and then again in the House Zapote. This is a simple place where some like to spend the night. It has common rooms and shared bathrooms, and camping space.

If you go with the tour, spend the night there is no cost.

Route details

Coban told me that he took the road to the Atlantic as going to San Pedro Carcha and that the road would take me straight to Semuc Champey.

When the bus stopped, we all start to look out the window, trying to achieve with his eyes the beauty of Semuc Champey.

The journey continues

We indicated that we could get off and gave us a paper bag would be our lunch. We keep it in the sack that had our bathing suits and went inside. At the entrance was a small wooden hut with benches and the guide asked us to leave our stuff there, except for water and camera. We explained that the indigenous natives of the place very well looked after and introduced us to one of them to take care of our belongings.

The guide spoke Quechi with native Spanish and English with us that tourists did not understand Spanish. We left our things and while the guide explained to us the meaning of Semuc Champey and told us the history of the place, we began to climb a mountain. The climb was easy, though tired, and with pleasant phone conversation up and up. Suddenly the guide stopped and told us we had reached the lookout and was worth the climb.

Unparalleled beauty

Beauty never imagined it would be before my eyes was a spectacular sight.

Would have risen 6 times the distance from the mountain, if necessary.

We all fell silent, and silence only made it more beautiful.

There was a long line of pools, oval shape, and each giving way to the next as if they were waterfalls.

The striking of the colors of the water; Posas, light blue, turquoise and green.

The words that the guide had said earlier came to life: Semuc Champey means "where the river flows into the rock."

It seemed incredible that at this point, I could see through the water.

Within seconds, I felt like the breath returned to my body and I realized I had stopped breathing for a moment.

Talks started again and all exclamábamos something about the pools.

I think it was here that the cameras worked more as no one got tired of shooting different angles of the pools.

Sometimes in the city forget how magical it can be the nature and the magnificence of God who created such wonders.


I have to say that this view was what I liked from my trip and although I did not know at that time, I repeat very soon. When the guide said it was time to go down, nobody wanted to leave. Announcement was not until we bathe in the pools, we began the descent.

Went down a short path to be going downhill faster. Suddenly I came to forget to breathe, when I came face to face with the output of Cahabón river, the river flowed with splendid force, and put all the cameras back to work. The guide emphasized how dangerous was the area, but allowed us to get close enough to feel the force of the river incomparable. We arrived at the pools tired and sweaty, but happy.

Hungry!

We were hungry, so we had lunch in front of the pools.

Food maybe?

The tour included a large type submarine sandwich with ham, cheese, lettuce and tomato, a delicious oatmeal cookies, an apple and a huge bottle of water

We waited a moment that we go down the food and we put on our bathing suits.

That was delicious fresh water and could see fish swimming and occasionally gave us little bites.

There was plenty of vegetation, and even small mounds of earth, used to throw some nailing. Never in my life experienced anything so beautiful, so much I wanted to stay there forever, in the water.


Like any trip, had to end, and we waited another 2 ½ hours from way back. Before coming to Coban again, we would pass by Lanquín Caves, but that ... that's another story.