Top Things to do in Alta Verapaz Department
Countries
7 Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers in Alta Verapaz Department That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Alta Verapaz Department, Guatemala including Semuc Champey, Candelaria Caves, Lanquin Caves, Grutas Las Marias, Biotopo del Quetzal, Parque Nacional Laguna Lachua, Grutas del Rey Marcos.
Restaurants in Alta Verapaz Department
1. Semuc Champey
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,216 reviews
Reviewed By bucketlisttravellers - Sydney, Australia
Semuc Champey is absolutely stunning and well worth the trek to get there! The pools have a stunning greeny turquoise colour and are very clear. You can see fish clearly and they are the ones that harmlessly nibble away at your feet if you sit still enough. There are a large number of pools and it is worth popping into each as most people stay on the top ones. The lower pools even have natural rock waterslides too if you like a bit of adventure! We did a day tour from Lanquin and this tour also covered a candlelight adventure into nearby caves, a couple of hikes and also a few jumps and swing rope into the river. The pools are visited in the tour after lunch and the one hour round trip hike up to the lookout. There are a lot of steps for this hike and a moderate work out, I wouldn't recommend if you don't have good knees. It is a rough 45min trip to get there from Lanquin standing up in a ute, but this is all part of the adventure. We purchased through La Poza River Lodge for Q195, however we later realised that other hostels are cheaper for the same tour. You could also stay at a hostel near the pools as well, however these are typically not as rated in TA as highly as others in Lanquin.
2. Candelaria Caves
3. Lanquin Caves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 256 reviews
These limestone caves are part of a national park system, with many of the caverns lit by lanterns for visitors to explore.
Reviewed By aph1985 - Melbourne, Australia
It was our first ever cave experience. The guide gave everyone a candle. There is a rope that goes to the cave, so we don't get lost. The cave had everything, jumping from a waterfall, climbing a waterfall inside the cave, swim in the dark pool. It's very slippery, and luckily we wore tracking sandals and helped us a little. Lots of people were barefooted and struggled. After the caves, we were given tubes to do tubing in the river. Overall, a very spooky day for us in the caves. It's a must do in Semuc Champey.
4. Grutas Las Marias
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By bucketlisttravellers - Sydney, Australia
We went to these caves as part of a Semac Champey tour. The caves are right next to the river and there is water running through the cave that you need to swim through in parts. At the entrance to the cave everyone is given a candle, and exploring the cave by candlelight really adds to the atmosphere of the tour. There is a bit of climbing involved in the tour and the cave exploration definitely wouldn't pass western safety standards, but it is loads of fun. At the furthest point in the cave that the tour goes to you have the option of jumping from a 2 metre ledge into the water. There is also a part that you can slide down. We really enjoyed this cave and would recommend visiting it if you are in the area.
5. Biotopo del Quetzal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By teejaydblyu - Montreal, Canada
We walked the long trail and enjoyed every minute of it! We arrived too late to see a Quetzal, and I think they would be pretty hard to spot anyway, but it was still a gorgeous walk.
6. Parque Nacional Laguna Lachua
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
7. Grutas del Rey Marcos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By GabidelCid - Guatemala City, Guatemala
We visited the park with tour operator @CobanTravels (super recommended - Don Leonel, our guide was the best). We were there just 2weeks after ETA & IOTA storms so many sights were still down (repairing for reopening). From downtown Coban to San Juan Chamelco, we took a ~30 min drive (do to rains, our guide drove an AWD as precaution). We were lucky to have the entire park to ourselves. We spent 30/45 min on small rafts oaring up a stream, after which our guide provided Boots, Helmets and lamps to go into the cave. (Important to bring extra clothes - since water level was high from recent rain; we changed shirts, pants and socks after coming out) The whole walk through the cave took about an hour (in/out). It is quite narrow at times and super slippery. We had our teenage daughters us (14/16 yo) and did more than fine. They enjoyed the experience a lot! There is a short canopy you can take over a pond and also a hanging-bridge. The park has much more room to spend the whole day and even do a Barbecue. Just to be there, taking the environment in and breathing the chilly breeze was wonderful. Their cafeteria and restaurant were closed (again... recent storms) so we brought water with us and lunched until later in Coban. We completely recommend the experience!!!
