Lake Atitlan To Semuc Champey: Step-By-Step Guide 2023

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Looking for the best ways to get from Lake Atitlan to Semuc Champey? You’re in the right place! Both Lake Atitlan and Semuc Champey are popular locations when backpacking Guatemala and are both worth visiting.

But how do you travel between Semuc Champey and Lake Atitlan? This post outlines everything you need to know about the two locations, from safety concerns, journey times, prices, drop-off points and more.

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

🚎 In a rush? Simply click here for prices and availability of shuttles and cars from Lake Atitlan to Semuc Champey.

Still have a question about the Lake Atitlan to Semuc Champey journey? Let me know over on Instagram or shoot me an email at jennie(@)jenniewanders.com!

🇬🇹 Other Guatemala posts:

• Semuc Champey From Antigua: Step-By-Step Guide
• Is Semuc Champey Worth It? A COMPLETE Guide
• How To Get From Flores To Semuc Champey

Lake Atitlan To Semuc Champey: A Summary

The distance between Lake Atitlan (Panajachel) and Semuc Champey is around 300km by road, and a 9-10 hour drive. This is a long way, so there are a few options when it comes to deciding how to travel between the two!

In summary, there are four main ways to get from Lake Atitlan to Semuc Champey. They are:

• Direct shuttle bus from Panajachel (11 hours)
• Shuttle via Antigua
• Public bus via Antigua
• Private transfer

It’s important to note that all shuttles from anywhere in Guatemala will stop in Lanquin, the town before Semuc Champey.

Both of these options take you to Lanquin, where you will then need to get either a 4×4, cattle truck or tuk-tuk to your accommodation.

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

But, if you’re a little more adventurous than us, you can travel to Semuc Champey from Lake Atitlan via public bus. This will take a longer amount of time, but of course, you get the adventure of being mixed in with the locals on a second-hand converted USA school bus!

1) Lake Atitlan To Semuc Champey by direct shuttle

One of the safest and easiest ways to travel between Lake Atitlan and Semuc Champey is via a direct shuttle. The shuttle journey takes around 11 hours and costs around £50/$60 USD per person.

Shuttles run all over Guatemala and are the most popular way for backpackers to travel around. Most even pick you up from your hostel (ours in Antigua did!)

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

As I mentioned, shuttles in Guatemala are full of other backpackers and tourists. They are safe, reliable and easy to use. They’re also modern and clean, and everyone will have their seat (no plastic chairs shoved in the middle of an aisle)!

I highly recommend using shuttles to travel around Guatemala when backpacking!

➡ Book your Guatemalan shuttle here!

2) Lake Atitlan To Semuc Champey via Antigua

If you don’t want to sit on a shuttle for 11 hours, another option is to travel via Antigua. In summary, you would need to:

• Board a 2.5-hour shuttle from Panajachel (Lake Atitlan) to Antigua
• Stay overnight in Antigua (or for however long you need)
• Board a 6-hour shuttle from Antigua to Semuc Champey

This is one of my preferred options when travelling between the two places, as it means you get to spend a little extra time in Antigua! It also has a shorter shuttle time, and that’s always a win.

Both the Atitlan to Antigua and Antigua to Semuc Champey options are popular routes with backpackers. You’ll find lots of other like-minded travellers on the same shuttles as you!

➡ Book your shuttles now!

3) Lake Atitlan To Semuc Champey by public bus

If you’re way more adventurous than us and would like to get the public bus from Lake Atitlan to Semuc Champey, it’s best to split the journey into two parts.

First, you will need to make the 3.5-hour public bus journey to Antigua, and then the 9-hour public bus journey from Antigua to Semuc Champey.

In summary:

• Panajachel (Lake Atitlan) > Antigua: 3.5 hours, involving 4 buses and 3 changes.
• Antigua > Semuc Champey (Lanquin): 9 hours, 3 buses and a taxi.

As these journeys are quite extensive, I recommend staying in Antigua for the night before completing part two. Coban is also a popular spot for backpackers to stop over for a night before reaching Semuc Champey.

If you do want to do this journey via public bus, I’ve split the exact route you will need to take into two sections below. Good luck!

Part 1: Lake Atitlan to Antigua

The journey from Antigua to Lake Atitlan via public bus would be (correct as of August 2023):

• Antigua > Chilmaltenango (50 minutes)
• Chilmaltenango > Los Encuentros (70 minutes)
• Los Encuentros > Salolá (40 minutes)
• Salolá > Panajachel (25 minutes)

Total time from Antigua to Lake Atitlan via public bus: 3.5 hours. As you can see, this is a much longer journey than taking a tourist shuttle. You’ve got to want the adventure to do it!

Important to know:

• The route from Antigua to Lake Atitlan via public bus involves 4 buses and 3 changes.
• Chicken buses run throughout the day, but can stop early in the evenings, so start early!
• You shouldn’t have to wait longer than 5-10 minutes between buses.

Part 2: Antigua to Semuc Champey

Travelling to Semuc Champey from Antigua can be done via public buses, but takes a long time, with three buses and two taxis/tuk-tuks. You may want to book accommodation in Coban to split the journey into two days.

The journey to Semuc Champey from Antigua would be (accurate as of August 2023):

• BUS: Antigua > Guatemala City (1 hour 30 minutes)
• TAXI: Guatemala City bus station > taxi to Transportes Monja Blanca bus station (10 minutes)
• BUS: Transportes Monja Blanca bus station > Coban (5 hours)
• BUS: Coban > Lanquin (2 hours)
• TUK-TUK/4X4: Lanquin > your hostel or accommodation (from 10 minutes up to an hour)

Total travel time: 8-9 hours.

Important to know:

• The last bus to Lanquin from Coban is at 5pm, unless you arrive on a Sunday, and then it is earlier. If you’re travelling on a Sunday, you may want to book overnight accommodation in Coban.
• The estimated total price for the public bus journey to Semuc Champey from Antigua is 200 Q (£20). The shuttle from Antigua to Semuc Champey is 225 Q (£22.50). There isn’t a huge difference in price!

Related post: Lake Atitlan to Guatemala City

4) Lake Atitlan To Semuc Champey by private transfer

If you have a luxury budget, or if there is a bigger group of you (at least 3 or 4), you may want to split a private transfer.

Private cars will pick you up from your Panajachel accommodation (you will need to board a lancha if you’re not already there), and drop you off at the Lanquin pick-up point.

If you’re staying in the actual town of Lanquin, the transfer will be able to drop you off directly at your accommodation.

If you’re staying in an off-road hostel like Greengos, you will still need to orgnaise a 4×4 to collect you from the Lanquin pick-up point.

The journey to Semuc Champey shouldn’t take more than 10 hours, but again, this depends on the road conditions and traffic.

If you book via this company, prices range between £150-300 ($200-500), depending on group size. You can also hire a private transfer through Viator here.

Arriving in Semuc Champey (Lanquin)

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.

Where to stay 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. ⮕ 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!

Arriving/departing Lake Atitlan

STAYING IN PANAJACHEL?

Your shuttle will drop you off in one of two places; on the main street near Calle Santander, or at the boat dock. If you are staying in Panajachel, check your Google Maps to see which drop-off point is easier.

NOTE: Selina and the Dreamboat Hostel are both by the main lancha dock. But Panajachel is easy to walk around, and there are tuk-tuks if you get lost!

STAYING IN SAN PEDRO, SANTA CRUZ OR ANYWHERE ELSE ON LAKE ATITLAN?

You will need to make your way to the boat dock in Panajachel to reach your accommodation in another town around Lake Atitlan. Boats (aka lanchas) run regularly throughout the day, from around 6 am – 7 pm.

There’s no need to book, as they run every 15-30 minutes to all locations. They’re small but hold around 25 people and cost £2.50/$3 per one-way journey.

Lanchas on Lake Atitlan go to all areas around the lake (San Pedro, Santa Cruz, San Juan etc), and stop at private docks if you are staying in a specific hotel that is not close to a main town. You will just need to tell the captain when boarding!

➡ Check out my full post on how to travel around the lake via a lancha and visit all of the beautiful Atitlan towns!

Where to stay in Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan has many different areas for backpackers to stay in. Some are more popular than others for several reasons. Where you stay in Lake Atitlan will depend on what kind of traveller and person you are.

For example, if you’re keen to party, you’ll want to stay in San Pedro. Or if you want to experience the zen, hippy part of the lake, head to San Marcos. 

For a remote hostel experience (with little around, so you’re all-in with your hostel friends), look at hostels in Santa Cruz (like Free Cerveza). Another popular location is to actually stay in Panajachel, Lake Atitlan’s main town.

I recommend either staying in a social hostel or a hotel/apartment with a lake view. We stayed in a few different locations around the lake, and whilst we liked our Airbnb in Panajachel, it was so far away from the lake that it didn’t feel like we were there.

If we were to return, we’d splurge a little more and stay in an apartment in one of the smaller towns overlooking the volcanoes and water.

But of course, most backpackers (like us!) can’t afford this, so we stick to the hostels. Our favourite hostel on Lake Atitlan was Free Cerveza (a full review can be found here).

• Free Cerveza (Santa Cruz): for backpackers wanting to SUP, swim, socialise, be off the grid for a few days and soak in everything the lake has to offer ➡ BOOK NOW!

• Selina (Panajachel): for digital nomads in Lake Atilan. ➡ BOOK NOW!

• Dreamboat Hostel (Panajachel): if you want to party in Panajachel  ➡ BOOK NOW!

• Mr Mullet’s (San Pedro): for BIG party backpackers and solo travellers (they run their own crazy boat party)➡ BOOK NOW!

• Chirris Hostal (San Juan): for a nice hostel in the middle of San Juan ➡ BOOK NOW!

Lake Atitlan to Semuc Champey: FAQs

1) Can you get from Lake Atitlan to Semuc Champey?

Yes, you can travel from Lake Atitlan to Semuc Champey by either a tourist shuttle or a private transfer. The shuttle journey takes around 11 hours and costs around £50/$60 USD per person.

➡ Book your tourist shuttle here!

2) Is Semuc Champey worth it?

In my opinion, yes. Semuc Champey is worth it, especially if you stay in a unique jungle hostel like Greengo’s, Zephyr or Utopia Eco Hostel. 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!

3) How many days should I spend 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 or Lake Atitlan 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.

4) Does it cost money 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.

5) Do you need a guide for 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.

6) Do I need a SIM card to travel around Guatemala?

Yes, I highly recommend downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and safety in Guatemala We found most of the cities to be chaotic and difficult to find local SIM cards.

ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!

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!

Lake Atitlan to Semuc Champey: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about travelling from Lake Atitlan to Semuc Champey! 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 real-life travellers wanting authentic and down-to-earth information. 

I’m currently balancing travelling around the world and living in London with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst 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:

• Is Semuc Champey Worth It? A COMPLETE Guide
• How To Get From Flores To Semuc Champey: Guide
• Semuc Champey From Antigua: Step-By-Step Guide