Semuc Champey

Aerial view

Semuc Champey ( German  "where the water disappears / hides" ) is a nature reserve (Monumento Natural) in Guatemala , which is located in the Alta Verapaz department about 12 km south of the city of Lanquín . The popular tourist destination consists of many turquoise-green water basins from one to three meters deep, which are fed by the River Cahabón . The color of the water varies depending on the time of year, time of day and the current weather. The river flows under the pools and emerges from the rock behind the pools. Because of the strong current, the river is quite dangerous at this point.

In 1999, Semuc Champey was named a Guatemalan natural heritage by then President Álvaro Arzú Irigoyen .

The hostels in Lanquín and some local tourist offices offer tours of the pools and other tourist attractions in the area.

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Web links

Commons : Semuc Champey  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 15 ° 32 ′ 0 ″  N , 89 ° 57 ′ 40 ″  W.