Lanquín
Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean · Guatemala
Did you know?
- River tubing follows the water downstream to El Retiro.
- An August festival honors St. Augustine with parades, regional food, music and dance.
- Bats stream from the local cave mouth at twilight.
See also
Semuc Champey
Guatemala15.53°N 89.96°W
Cobán
Guatemala15.48°N 90.37°W · 1,320 m
Rio Dulce
Guatemala15.66°N 89.00°W
Overview
Lanquín is a warm valley base for visiting Semuc Champey. Hostels, caves and river tubing give travelers reasons to linger between onward journeys.
Languages: Spanish
Why go?
Lanquín is a small, steamy town in Guatemala's Northern Lowlands that serves as the gateway to Semuc Champey, one of the country's most spectacular natural attractions. The town itself has a relaxed backpacker atmosphere with several hostels, caves to explore, and river tubing. It's much hotter here than the highlands due to its deep valley location between mountains.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get in
Most travelers reach Lanquín from Cobán via minibus, costing Q25 as of February 2023, with stops to pick up locals along the route. Private shuttles are available but cost more. Several guesthouses can arrange transportation for guests.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
Walking is the best way to explore Lanquín, as most attractions are within a twenty-minute walk. Tuk Tuks operate on the streets, sometimes as late as 11PM. Local trucks can be hitched for a couple of quetzales.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
See
The Grutas de Lanquín (Lanquín caves) offer a stunning bat show at twilight, with millions of bats streaming out of the cave mouth. Arrive just before sunset for the best view from the riverbank, which is free. For waterfalls, continue past El Retiro for about four miles to another village and ask locals about the cascadas or cataratas.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Do
River tubing down the Lanquín river to El Retiro costs Q20 for tube, ride, and entrance fee, with stops to purchase beers. The Semuc Champey tour from El Retiro includes a candlelight swim through Grutas de Las Marias, a 9m bridge jump, river float, and exploration of Semuc Champey's pools. The town's annual festival honoring St. Augustine runs August 24-28 with parades, carnival, games, regional food, music, and dance.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buy
There is a small market in town selling typical Guatemalan goods. The Banrural bank on 5B Avenida has an ATM for cash withdrawals.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Eat and drink
Comedor Shalom in town serves standard Guatemalan fare for Q25. Comedor Champey on the road between Lanquín center and El Retiro near the bridge offers delicious schnitzel for Q25. El Retiro serves a communal dinner nightly but requires signing up on a list beforehand; it's more expensive but well-regarded for food quality. El Retiro also has a lively bar with dancing and late-night entertainment.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sleep
Zephyr Lodge is an eco-friendly hostel on a hilltop with river views, offering private rooms from Q80 and dormitories from Q35, with Q30-40 meals and Q20 breakfasts. El Recreo near the town entrance has swimming pools and zip lines. El Retiro is a large guesthouse complex by the Lanquín River with sleeping options from hammocks to private rooms, a fire pit, river access, and surf board; internet costs Q20 for unlimited use during stay.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
El Retiro arranges shuttles to Antigua, Cobán, Flores, and Rio Dulce (via El Estor). Regular minibuses run to Cobán. From Sayaxché, travelers can continue to Flores to visit Maya ruins in the region.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
El Recreo
Guesthouse with swimming pools and zip lines near town entrance
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
El Retiro
Large guesthouse complex on the Lanquín River with hammocks, rooms, and communal dinners
Recorded price: Hammocks to private rooms, internet Q20 unlimited
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Zephyr Lodge
Eco-friendly hilltop hostel with river views, hammocks, and tubing access
Recorded price: Dorms Q35, privates Q80, meals Q30-40
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Comedor Champey
Roadside comedor known for delicious schnitzel
Recorded price: Q25
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Comedor Shalom
Local comedor serving standard Guatemalan fare
Recorded price: Q25
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
El Retiro
Communal dinner served nightly, more expensive but delicious
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Grutas de Lanquín
Caves with spectacular bat flight at twilight
Recorded price: Free from riverbank, negotiate reduced rate for cave entrance
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Semuc Champey
Along rough road is a series of tiered limestone pools of varying shades of turquoise. A wild river runs underneath the pools here. Hike up to the mirador for a view pools. Swim in the pools and jump off of the rocks. Q25 for a pickup ride from Lanquín to Semuc Champey. The road is under construction to be replaced with a paved road, therefore, expect extra time to get there.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
WiFi available at Zephyr Lodge and El Retiro, though El Retiro's internet often doesn't work well.
Etiquette
When visiting local waterfalls, ask villagers for directions—they'll point out the cascadas. Arrive at caves before sunset for the bat show.
Money
The Banrural bank on 5B Avenida has an ATM. Bring enough cash as options are limited in town.
Transport
Minibus from Cobán costs Q25 (Feb 2023). Tuk Tuks available until 11PM, or hitch a truck for a few quetzales.
Weather
Lanquín is significantly hotter than the Guatemalan highlands due to its deep valley location between mountains.