LAS VERAPACES - Guatemala - page 455

Recreation
Inadditionto swimming intheperfectlyplacidpools,thereisaseriesof trails andhanging
wooden bridges taking you to the sites where the river makes its underground plunge and
where it reemerges downstream. It is truly awe inspiring to see the force of nature as the
raging river is crammed into an underground cavern. A longer, 1.2-kilometer trail heads
straight upthe side ofamountain toafantastic lookout point, where youcan see the pools
from above. It's worth the substantial effort required to climb on the steep mountainside,
sometimes with the help of vines and tree roots. Closer to the park entrance is a walkway
thatwilltakeyoutoan observation platform whereyoucanseeaprettywaterfallgushing
into the Río Cahabón over the point where it re-emerges from its cave.
Across from the parking lot and park entry booth, you'll find a visitors center where
you can buy drinks and food. The latter is a set menu ($3-6) consisting mainly of local
dishesandgrilledmeats.Vehicleparkingcosts$1.30.Guidesareavailableheretotakeyou
around. As always, tipping is a good idea.
Accommodations and Food
There are now at least two hotels just minutes away from the park entrance. Coming from
Semuc Champey, the first place you'll come across is Hostal El Portal de Champey (tel.
7983-0046, $5 p/p to $26 d) where there are pleasant A-frame cottages set on a hillside
overlooking the Río Cahabón. Service at the on-site restaurant may be spotty when one of
the caretaker's frequent parties are taking place. (You might have better luck if you bring a
cooler full of beer with you.)
A better choice lies about one kilometer from Semuc Champey. Posada Las Marías
(tel. [phone], www.posadalasmarias.com ) enjoys a wonderful riverside location and of-
fers accommodations in dorms with shared bath ($4.50-6.50 p/p), rooms with shared bath
($20 d), or rooms with private bath ($23 d). The restaurant serves three meals a day ($4-7)
and the menu includes sandwiches, nachos, and barbecued steak. Activities include inner
tubingontheRíoCahabónandvisitstothenearbycavesofK'anBa($5forguests),where
you can explore an underwater river.
Another option near Semuc Champey lies a couple hundred meters away at Jam Bam-
boo (tel. [phone], cabralmariano@hotmail. com). There are private rooms ($7 p/p
shared bath, $12 p/p with private bath and fan) along with six-bed and 12-bed dorm rooms
($4 p/p, shared bath). The dorm beds consist of a small mattress on a wooden floor and are
set above the restaurant/bar. Otherwise, the beds are firm and there is hot water. Breakfast
here costs $4 and lunch or dinner cost $5; all are set-menu options. The hotel staff likes to
jam on their drums, lending credence to the lodge's peculiar name.
Getting There