Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey is an utterly stunning spot, a set of pools at the bottom of a deep gorge, formed over eons as the river diverted itself underneath, eroding a tunnel underneath the pools through which the majority of the flow takes place. Below is the view from the Mirador. The hostel was at the entrance to the national park, although in a pretty spot and touted as an eco lodge, it was more a venue for prolonged piss ups in the evening. Sad because it would have been beautiful to experience the peace of night falling in the depths of the gorge. I would say that I'm now showing my age, but there were a number of young people who felt the same too. At least the 2nd night was better, and we were able to get some sleep, after the party animals had moved on... despite the best efforts of the staff to start another debauch.

It was a real adventure to dive off the waterfalls from pool to pool and swim in submerged caves under the overhangs of rock. There was a guide full of joie de vivre who led us on an exploration. Although I tagged myself to his group for free, I just had to tip him well after for a fun, exciting, but safe time. The limestone was treacherously slippery, probably as a result of some kind of algae growing on it.

Standing in the pools, little fish would come to nibble the dead skin off our feet. It was really idyllic. Americans pay fortunes for that kind of therapy.

The waterfalls where the flow from the pools spilled into the main body of the river underneath, at the end of the line.