How To Get From Flores To Semuc Champey: 2023 Guide

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Looking for the best ways to get from Flores to Semuc Champey? You’re in the right place! Both Flores and Semuc Champey are popular locations when backpacking Guatemala. In fact, Semuc Champey was one of our favourite locations in the whole of Central America!

But how do you travel between Flores and Semuc Champey? This post outlines everything you need to know about the two locations, from safety concerns, journey times, prices, drop-off points and more. But as always, if you still have a burning question to ask, be sure to drop me a message on Instagram to ask.

So, let’s get started and discuss all the possible ways to travel from Flores to Semuc Champey.

Other Guatemala posts:

• Is Tikal Worth Visiting? COMPLETE Tikal Guide
• Is Semuc Champey Worth It? A COMPLETE Guide
• Flores to Belize City: Complete Step-By-Step Guide
• How To Get From San Ignacio To Flores: Backpacker Guide

Flores to Semuc Champey: A Summary

In summary, there is only one main way to get from Flores to Semuc Champey (or in reverse, Semuc Champey to Flores).

This options is:

• Shuttle bus (easiest, recommended and only current option!)

But, it’s important to note that all shuttles will stop in the town before Semuc Champey which is called Lanquin.

If you’re backpacking Guatemala, the most common, safest and easiest way to travel between Flores and Semuc Champey is by shuttle. The shuttles hold around 16 people and are full of other backpackers.

They’re slightly more expensive than the public bus, but involve a lot less hassle and drop you off in Lanquin where your hostel transportation will pick you up. They’re safe, easy and reliable.

At this moment in time (March 2023), there are no ways to travel from Flores to Lanquin via public bus.

The journey from Flores to Lanquin (and then Semuc Champey) is a long one. It can take up to 10 hours, plus more if you are staying in a hostel close to the Semuc Champey entrance. You will need to plan an entire day for travel when travelling between Flores and Semuc Champey.

Getting around Guatemala

The most popular and best way to travel around Guatemala as a backpacker is via shuttle buses. Whilst the public buses may be more adventurous and authentic, they can double your trip time, be unpredictable and often take longer.

If you are backpacking Guatemala for the first time, I highly recommend using shuttle buses to travel around the country.

Shuttle buses can be booked via your hostel or at local travel agents, or pre-booked online here.

🤩 Visiting Tikal for the first time? Check out my complete Tikal guide here!

1. Shuttle from Flores to Semuc Champey

NOTE: You need to book a shuttle from Flores to Lanquin for Semuc Champey. Skip to the ‘arriving in Lanquin’ section below if you are unsure about what to do from there.

The best and safest way to travel from Flores to Semuc Champey is via shuttle bus. Shuttles run all over Guatemala and are the most popular way for backpackers to travel around.

If you are staying on Flores Island, the shuttle departs for Lanquin at 8am from the main bridge. Make sure to arrive 10 minutes early to get a ‘good seat’, and bring snacks for the journey.

The shuttle must be pre-booked via your hostel or a travel agent. It should not cost more than 200 Q (£20/$25) per person.

The journey is around 8-9 hours (depending on traffic, road conditions, roadworks and other factors) from Flores to Lanquin. Yes, it might say 6 hours on Google maps, but this is unfortunately incorrect. The shuttle also goes via the city of Coban, which adds some hours to your trip.

You’ll drive along bumpy roads, through remote and small Guatemala villages, through mountains and even board a strange yet entertaining ferry upon arriving at the town of Sayaxche (don’t worry, you stay on the shuttle for this). Around 2 hours into your journey, all cars and ferries must cross the Rio De La Pasion via the wooden ferry, as there is no bridge. Yep, backpacking in Guatemala is an experience!

Your luggage will be safely tied to the top of the shuttle. Just remember to keep all valuables with you inside the bus!

Shuttle buses can be booked via your hostel or at local travel agents, or pre-booked online here.

Does the shuttle make any stops from Flores to Semuc Champey?

The shuttle from Flores to Lanquin (Semuc Champey) makes three stops. Bear in mind there are no toilets on the shuttles in Guatemala, so don’t overdo it on the coffee in the morning!

These stops include local shops and a large retail park in Coban. The retail park has many fast food options such as Mcdonald’s, Subway and Panda Express, so this is where you stop for your lunch break. We were overjoyed to see the ‘golden arches’ after travelling for so long – it was one of the best shuttle lunch breaks we’ve ever had!

Arriving in Lanquin (for Semuc Champey) from Flores

When you finally arrive in Lanquin, you will need to board another mode of transport to reach your accommodation. Some hotels and hostels are in Lanquin, so you can get a tuk-tuk from where the shuttle drops you off.

If you are staying in a jungle lodge like Greengo’s or Zephyr, you will need to get either a cattle truck or 4×4. Don’t worry, this is all organised by the hostel, and you don’t need to do anything to arrange this. All of the tourist shuttles arrive around the same time, so they will be there waiting for you when you arrive in Lanquin.

Public buses in Guatemala

Guatemala is known for its ‘chicken buses’, which are old school buses donated from the USA. Guatemalans have painted and turned these school buses into public party buses. Yes, they do play loud 80’s music as you travel!

Public buses are by far the cheapest way to travel around Guatemala, but they can take much longer than the shuttles and are a lot bumpier. It’s also a bit riskier with your bags and luggage, but not impossible. If you’re the more adventurous type, travelling via chicken bus in Guatemala should be on your bucket list.

However, at this moment in time (March 2023), there are no ways to travel from Flores to Lanquin via public bus.

Where to stay in Flores as a backpacker

If you’re visiting Flores for the first time, I recommend you stay on the island rather than the mainland to get the full experience.

Flores Island in Guatemala is exceptionally small. That means all of the accommodations, hostels and hotels are within walking distance of each other.

Again, my biggest piece of advice is to book hostels in advance. We missed out on so many of the best hostels in Central America as they fill up so quickly – get booking!

• Los Amigos Hostel: This is by far the most popular hostel in Flores, but also the most expensive! A dorm will cost over £20 a night, and a private room up to £120. When we were staying in Flores, there was no availability even 4 weeks in advance, so make sure you book early! ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL NOW!

• Hotel Peten Express Tikal: Another popular hostel in Flores with a good location on the water. It has a calmer atmosphere than Los Amigos. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL NOW!

⮕ View all other Hostelworld hostels in Flores here.

Where to stay in Semuc Champey as a backpacker

Staying in a unique jungle hostel is part of the experience when visiting Semuc Champey. Our stay at Greengo’s was one of our favourite stays of our entire Central America backpacking trip, and we’d return in a heartbeat!

It’s important to note that staying in Semuc Champey is not the same as staying in Lanquin. Lanquin is a small, rural village with a few shops, bars and local restaurants (but not many).

The Semuc Champey Natural Monument entrance is a 50-minute drive from Lanquin in a 4×4 (the roads are mountainous, pot-holed and steep).

Picking the right hostel can either make or break your trip.

Do you want to stay in the mountains, and wake up to jungle views?

Or would you rather stay in Lanquin, the local village, and travel into Semuc Champey when needed?

As you may have guessed, most backpackers choose the first option, but these hostels get booked up fast. That means that sometimes, last-minute bookers are forced to stay in Lanquin instead. It’s not the end of the world, but it does change your Semuc Champey experience a little.

Best hostels in Semuc Champey

There are four main hostels to choose from when visiting Semuc Champey: Greengo’s, Utopia Eco Lodge, Ch’i Bocol and Zephyr Lodge. So, which is better? Well, they’re all off the beaten track, and all have their own pros and cons. 

• Greengo’s Hostel is just 400m from the Semuc Champey entrance, meaning you can visit the site without a guide. It has its own onsite bar and restaurant (with reasonable prices), with nightly backpacker activities such as trivia, bonfires and drinking games. Views of the surrounding mountains are unbeatable. Greengo’s tends to be booked up at least 3-4 weeks in advance, so get booking! ⮕ BOOK GREENGO’S HOSTEL NOW!

• Utopia Eco Lodge: A unique natural lodge-style accommodation around 3.5km from the Semuc Champey entrance. ⮕ BOOK UTOPIA NOW!

• Ch’i Bocol: This is the most ‘off-the-beaten-track’ hostel, which requires a 30 minute uphill hike to reach even after the shuttles have dropped you off. Stay here if you want a true, authentic experience amongst Guatemalan nature! ⮕ BOOK CH’I BOCOL NOW!

• Zephyr Lodge is another popular hostel near Semuc Champey. To reach the Semuc Champey waterfalls, you will need to take a 4×4 for around 45 minutes which can be arranged by the hostel. From other backpackers, I’ve heard it’s another great choice, and the jungle views from the dorm rooms are incredible. Again there’s an onsite bar and restaurant, so you don’t need to leave unless you’re visiting the Semuc Champey waterfalls. From what I’ve heard, Zephyr is more of a ‘party’ hostel than Greengo’s is. ⮕ BOOK ZEPHYR LODGE NOW!

Overall, they’re all great choices when it comes to staying in Semuc Champey. I’m biased because we stayed at Greengo’s and had such an epic time there, but I’m sure both hostels will give you an incredible experience. But things change quickly when it comes to hostels, so make sure you always read the reviews first.

Again, my biggest piece of advice is to book hostels in advance. We missed out on so many of the best hostels in Central America as they fill up so quickly – get booking!

Flores to Semuc Champey FAQs

How far is Flores from Semuc Champey?

Flores is roughly 255km from Semuc Champey. If you are getting a shuttle between the two locations in Guatemala, it will take roughly 8 hours with 3-4 stops (including a lunch break). Shuttles cost around £20 per person and can be booked via your hostel or pre-booked online here.

🤩 Visiting Tikal for the first time? Check out my complete Tikal guide here!

Is it worth it to go to Semuc Champey?

In my opinion, yes. Semuc Champey is worth it. Semuc Champey is an off-the-beaten-track natural monument near Lanquin, Guatemala. It isn’t easy to reach – in fact, it’s quite the detour – which is why so many people question whether it is worth it or not.

If you do make the trip, you can spend your time at Semuc Champey cliff jumping into natural waterfalls and pools, hiking through caves, tubing down lazy rivers, meeting some of the locals in the nearby villages and swimming amongst some of the best views in Guatemala. To make your trip even more special, make sure to stay in one of the jungle hostels located in the mountains. The views are just unbeatable.

⮕ BOOK YOUR SEMUC CHAMPEY JUNGLE STAY HERE!

How much does it cost to go to Semuc Champey?

Actually visiting Semuc Champey itself is budget friendly – the park entrance is just 100 Q (£10/$12) per person. However, if you don’t want to visit the park by yourself and would prefer a guide, tours range from 90 Q (£9/$11) booked directly with your hostel, or upwards of £20+ each by pre-booking online.

How long should I stay in Semuc Champey?

If you are visiting Semuc Champey for the first time, I highly recommend at least 3 nights. The journey to Semuc Champey from Flores takes near enough a whole day, and if you stay just 1 or 2 nights, you won’t have time to see it all!

We stayed for 4 nights at Greengo’s hostel, and found this was perfect to enjoy the hostel views, pool and atmosphere and explore Semuc Champey without rushing.

Do you need a tour guide to visit Semuc Champey?

No, you do not need a tour guide to visit Semuc Champey. If you are staying in one of the nearby hostels (like Greengo’s), you can actually walk to the entrance yourself. If you are staying in a hostel in Lanquin or a little further out, you will need to arrange transportation to reach Semuc Champey. But you can still explore the park by yourself without needing a guide or tour.

How many days should I spend in Flores, Guatemala?

The biggest activity to do in Flores is Tikal (Mayan ancient ruins), which requires at least one full day. In my opinion, 2 nights is enough in Flores, Guatemala. The other day you can explore the island, head over to the rope swing, enjoy a cocktail at Sky Bar and relax.

There isn’t too much to do in Flores apart from Tikal, so you don’t need much time there.

Where to go after Semuc Champey

If you are backpacking in Guatemala, there are a few options when deciding where to go next. They are:

• Antigua (a most popular choice)
• Rio Dulce
• Flores (another popular choice, if you haven’t just come from there)
• Lake Atitlan

We decided to travel to Antigua after Semuc Champey. Antigua turned out to be another one of our favourite places in Guatemala, and I’m so glad we made this decision!

Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America

If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.

Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.

If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.

With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)

Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!

If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!

How To Get From Flores to Semuc Champey: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about how to get from Flores to Semuc Champey whilst backpacking Guatemala.

When you’re planning a trip to Guatemala, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m backpacking Central America with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Guatemala content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

Other Guatemala posts:

• Flores to Belize City: Complete Step-By-Step Guide
• How To Get From San Ignacio To Flores: Backpacker Guide
• Belize 7 Day Itinerary: One Week COMPLETE Guide! (2023)