Semuc Champey, Guatemala (Center on Interactive Map)

Semuc Champey is an area known for its crystal clear pools on top of a sort of land bridge inside of a river valley. The surrounding area contains remnant forest patches and a lot of farming of chocolate and cardamom.

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Trips

Mexico to Panama

1/30/2009: We arrived here after a several hour journey using the special tourist minibus. The tourist minibus is four times the price as the regular bus and nearly as uncomfortable, but at least you don't have to change buses or wait for a connection.

One of the attractions in this area is the Languin Cave which holds something like 20 million bats. Unfortunately, there is little protection for the bats, and a throng of about 30 backpackers stood at the cave entrance talking loudly and flashing the bats with their cameras.

Most of this area has been cleared for farmland with the main crops of cacao and cardamom, but near the caves and also near the pools, you can find some remnant forest patches. The locals were quite friendly, and the food and accommodations were pretty good here.





Previous Visit (Flores: 1/29/2009)
Next Visit (Santiago de Atitlan: 2/2/2009)

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