After a short hike through the park, you come to an area that seems like another world. The beauty and magnificence of the space is breath taking. Nestled in Guatemala. Naturally carved by mother nature, is the beautiful oasis of Semuc Champey.
You can hike to the top of a mountain to view it from above. But one of the most wonderful things after the tough climb is the descent, into the water to cool off. You can swim on the different levels of the water system.
If you just want to relax and enjoy a pedicure, you can hang your feet in the water to let the little pirahna's come up and take the dead skin off of your toes. Which tickles. A treatment which costs $20 USD for tourist road side traps in Cancun, or Playa Del Carmen.
But one thing is for sure. Do not swim too far up stream. They have built a fence upstream on account of a natural phenomena which has surely played its part in carving out this wonderful little piece of Earth.
Ascending from deep within the heart of the mountain. Unseen to you from the photo above. On the right side of the river, is another river which comes rushing in from the hills, and connects with this river at the back. Some years ago, there was a photographer who was swimming back there with his camera. Trying to get a nice photo of the way the water comes sweeping down, and has tunneled its way beneath this system of pools. In fact, he got so close that he was pulled into that underwater tunnel. Only parts of him were found down stream. Not much is known as to where the rest of him ended up. Maybe hung up inside of that tunnel. Eaten by fish, if they can get in there. Or...who knows? Just don't do it, alright?
One other really interesting thing you can view in the area is just downstream of the swimming spot. You walk along the side of the river a way, and you can see where that underwater river comes up from its tunnel to join with this emerald green water.
At that point, you can see the murky brown water of the mountains core mixing together in a slurry of activity.
Truly something to behold. Just. Be wary. If you should choose to be travelling with your dog, be wary of the American owned 'Utopia Eco Hostel' on account of one experience I had. My friend had her puppy along with us, which was attacked as soon as we arrived. After explaining to us that their dog was rescued from a dog fighting circle, they kicked us out of the place. Leaving us high and dry for a place for the night.
We ended up going down the road to the beautiful El Zapote, which is owned by a local family who's family runs the park and tube rental company everyone loves. It's also a much more scenic location. On top of that, the prices are far better, the food is more tasty, and the smiles that come with the service are a little more friendly.
Now I had my feelings of doubt that my initial experience may have been tainted. But that first visit, the park happened to be closed for a strike that was taking place with the park workers. Which meant noone was charging the fees at the gate. So, we got in free. But the friends who ended up staying at Utopia had to pay the usual 300q for entry. It should also be noted that entry for anyone other than the Utopia guests is far less than this on a regular day.
So I decided to try going back years later, and was pleasantly surprised. Considering, I was carrying the bug. And spent most of my time shitting and in bed. I could honestly have cared less about where I was, so long as I had a hammock to sleep in. This was also the place I happened to heal my body. So, anyways. if I had my choice I'd stay at the El Zapote in a heart beat.
They've even done some recent rennovations, and expansion work. Plus they've got a cave next to their hostel where you can climb in and look around which is also really neat. And there's a cool bridge just around the corner where you can jump from. And a small park in front, where our friends eventually ended up coming to. We had enough food left over to make ourselves meals for a few days, and camped out in that park without any issues for an extra night or two before flagging down a collectivo to get back to where we were going.
Such beautiful memories.
