Guatemala · Alta Verapaz and Baja Verapaz

Las
Verapaces.

Semuc Champey, the Lanquín caves, the Quetzal Biotope and the northern waterfalls.

See what to do (6)Destination map

Photo: Conor Murphy

6 places
1 open
5 unconfirmed
checked Oct 2026
14 sources

Before you go,
understand the place.

Baja Verapaz has the Quetzal Biotope, a cloud forest, and the Chilascó waterfall, in the Sierra de las Minas.

Best time to go: According to the United Kingdom, the rainy season normally runs from May to November, with frequent flooding and landslides; poorly maintained roads and bridges have been known to collapse.
Getting there: This guide does not calculate road routes or travel times. According to CONAP's undated listing, Semuc Champey is 80 km from Cobán and 12 km from Lanquín, and a 4x4 is recommended in the rainy season; Prensa Libre (21 June 2025) reported that the 12.18 km stretch to Semuc was paved in April 2025. The current state of the road is not confirmed. The Quetzal Biotope is at km 160.5 of the CA-14 (University of San Carlos).

Get your bearings before you set out

Destination map

6 places with their status. Open a pin for details and sources, or use the list.

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Open
Status unconfirmed

Groups: the number in the middle is the total of places; the ring shows their statuses. Open a group to see the breakdown.

The “Open and seasonal” filter covers open (1) and seasonal (0) places. Check dates and conditions on each place.

Map: © Stadia Maps © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap

Three ways to explore

Themed guides

Places grouped by theme, to plan your day.

2 places
Semuc Champey and Lanquín
Semuc Champey and the Lanquín caves, in the same municipality; both have unconfirmed hours and fees.
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2 places
Cloud forest and waterfalls
The Quetzal Biotope, which publishes its hours and fees, and the Chilascó waterfall, in the Sierra de las Minas.
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2 places
Northern Alta Verapaz
Laguna Lachuá and Las Conchas, in northern Alta Verapaz; both have unconfirmed status.
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The place, in context

Everything you can do

Closed or restricted places are included and flagged, so you know what to expect.

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Showing 6 of 6 · 5 unconfirmed, flagged

Nature and jungle · 4

WildlifeOpen
Mario Dary Rivera Quetzal Biotope
Km 160.5 of the CA-14, Baja Verapaz. The pin is the reserve's node in OpenStreetMap; it is not the entrance.39.4 km in a straight line from the regional map centre
Entry
Foreign visitor Q60
Hours
Every day 8:00–16:00
Booking
Not stated
A cloud-forest protected area in Baja Verapaz run by the University of San Carlos to protect the quetzal's habitat, with the Los Helechos and Los Musgos interpretive trails, according to its page.
Source: Universidad de San Carlos (IIQB/CECON) – Biotopo Mario Dary Rivera (consulta oct. 2026) · 2026 · +1
Practical details and sources
Entry
Guatemalans Q20 and foreign visitors Q60 (University of San Carlos).
Hours
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 365 days a year (University of San Carlos).
Tip: INGUAT's 2019 accessible tourism guide described it as low physical effort with universal access facilities; whether that still holds has not been checked.
Nearby: Chilascó waterfall (12.1 km)
Sources: Universidad de San Carlos (IIQB/CECON) – Biotopo Mario Dary Rivera (consulta oct. 2026) · INGUAT – Guía de turismo accesible (2019)
NatureStatus unconfirmed
Lanquín caves
Lanquín, Alta Verapaz. The pin is the national park in OpenStreetMap; it is not the cave mouth.9.7 km in a straight line from the regional map centre
Entry
Not confirmed
Hours
Not confirmed
Booking
Not stated
Limestone caves next to Lanquín, from which many bats emerge at night, run by the Municipality of Lanquín, according to the Ministry of Culture's directory.
Hours and fee not confirmed with the Municipality: they come from the Ministry of Culture's directory, with no visible date.
Source: SIC (Ministerio de Cultura) – Grutas de Lanquín · 2026
Practical details and sources
Entry
Guatemalans Q20, foreign visitors Q30 and children Q10, according to the Ministry of Culture's directory.
Hours
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., according to the same directory.
Nearby: Semuc Champey Natural Monument (6.2 km)
Sources: SIC (Ministerio de Cultura) – Grutas de Lanquín
NatureStatus unconfirmed
Laguna Lachuá National Park
Northern Alta Verapaz: according to CONAP, 90 km from Cobán to Chisec and 60 km along the Franja Transversal del Norte. The pin is the lake in OpenStreetMap; it is not the park entrance.77.7 km in a straight line from the regional map centre
Entry
Last known: Apr 2022
Hours
Not confirmed
Booking
Not stated
A national park run by the National Forest Institute (INAB) in northern Alta Verapaz, according to CONAP, which asks visitors not to use sunscreen, soap or shampoo in the lake.
Status not confirmed with INAB: the hours come from CONAP's listing, with no visible date, and the latest fee found among the sources consulted is INAB's of April 2022. Living in Guatemala (September 2026) says day entry closes at 2:30 p.m. and the dirt road needs a 4x4 in the rain.
Source: CONAP – Parque Nacional Laguna Lachuá · 2026 · +2
Practical details and sources
Entry
In April 2022 INAB gave Q50 for foreign visitors and Q25 for Guatemalans; Living in Guatemala (September 2026) gives Q50 for foreign adults and Q25 for children.
Hours
Monday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., according to CONAP.
Sources: CONAP – Parque Nacional Laguna Lachuá · INAB – Boletín de parques nacionales (abr. 2022) · Living in Guatemala – Laguna Lachuá (24 sep. 2026)
NatureStatus unconfirmed
Chilascó waterfall
Baja Verapaz: according to CONAP, a turn-off at km 144.5 of the CA-14 and 12 km of dirt road to the information office. The pin is the waterfall in OpenStreetMap; it is not the entrance.43.4 km in a straight line from the regional map centre
Entry
Not stated
Hours
Not confirmed
Booking
Not stated
A waterfall over 130 m high in the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve, run by its board, according to CONAP; the visit is 3 km, the last one very difficult.
Status not confirmed: the hours come from CONAP's listing, with no visible date, which asks you to contact the administration before going; the sources consulted give no fee.
Source: CONAP – Reserva de Biosfera Sierra de las Minas: Salto de Chilascó · 2026
Practical details and sources
Hours
Monday to Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., according to CONAP.
Tip: CONAP asks for good physical fitness and, in the rainy season, waterproof boots.
Nearby: Mario Dary Rivera Quetzal Biotope (12.1 km)
Sources: CONAP – Reserva de Biosfera Sierra de las Minas: Salto de Chilascó

Lakes, rivers and waterfalls · 2

WaterStatus unconfirmed
Semuc Champey Natural Monument
San Agustín Lanquín, Alta Verapaz. The pin is the attraction in OpenStreetMap, tagged with Wikidata; it is not the entrance.11.7 km in a straight line from the regional map centre
Entry
Not confirmed
Hours
Not confirmed
Booking
Not stated
A natural monument in San Agustín Lanquín (Alta Verapaz) run by CONAP, 12 km from Lanquín according to CONAP.
Status not confirmed with CONAP: the hours come from its listing, with no visible date, and the fee from its 2021 schedule, which Prensa Libre (June 2025) repeats. CONAP's listing recommends a 4x4 in the rainy season; Prensa Libre (21 June 2025) reported that the 12.18 km stretch to Semuc was paved in April 2025. The current state of the road is not confirmed.
Source: CONAP – Monumento Natural Semuc Champey · 2026 · +2
Practical details and sources
Entry
Foreign visitors Q50; Guatemalan adults Q30 and children Q10; Lanquín residents exempt; camping Q10 per tent and parking Q10, according to CONAP's fee schedule (2021).
Hours
Monday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., according to CONAP.
Nearby: Lanquín caves (6.2 km)
Sources: CONAP – Monumento Natural Semuc Champey · CONAP – Tarifario Semuc Champey (2021) · Prensa Libre – Semuc Champey atrae más turistas (21 jun. 2025)
WaterStatus unconfirmed
Las Conchas
Chahal, Alta Verapaz. The pin is the municipal park in OpenStreetMap; it is not the entrance.73.8 km in a straight line from the regional map centre
Entry
Not stated
Hours
Not confirmed
Booking
Not stated
A municipal park in Chahal (Alta Verapaz) with turquoise waterfalls and pools on the Chiyú river, run by the Municipality of Chahal, according to CONAP.
Status not confirmed with the Municipality of Chahal: CONAP says it is open 24 hours, with no visible date, and the sources consulted give no fee.
Source: CONAP – Parque Recreativo Natural Municipal Las Conchas · 2026
Practical details and sources
Hours
Open 24 hours, every day, according to CONAP.
Tip: CONAP recommends water shoes.
Sources: CONAP – Parque Recreativo Natural Municipal Las Conchas

Las Verapaces · Practical guide

The essentials

The pools of Semuc Champey
The Quetzal Biotope trails
The bats leaving the Lanquín caves

Las Verapaces · Practical guide

Where to stay

Cobán: According to the US Department of State, tourist assistance (ASISTUR) works with the tourist police in areas such as Cobán; CONAP puts Semuc Champey 80 km away.
Lanquín: A town beside its caves, 12 km from Semuc Champey according to CONAP.

Las Verapaces · Practical guide

Practical tips

At Semuc Champey, Lanquín residents do not pay and camping and parking are charged separately (CONAP fee schedule, 2021).
At Laguna Lachuá, CONAP asks visitors not to use sunscreen, soap or shampoo in the lake; conditions for cooking or camping are to be confirmed with INAB.
For the Chilascó waterfall, CONAP asks for good fitness and for you to contact the administration first.

Safety and precautions

According to the United Kingdom (advice current on 3 October 2026), Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America, and incidents can also happen in tourist areas.
Spain (update of 8 May 2026) lists among the risk areas to avoid zones 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12 and 18 of Guatemala City, Villa Nueva and Mixco, and the departments of San Marcos, Huehuetenango, Escuintla, Petén and Izabal; it rates the rest of the country as medium risk and warns that there are no completely safe areas.
The US Department of State advises reconsidering travel to Guatemala because of crime and terrorism (level 3, advisory issued on 12 March 2026). It advises against travel to the departments of San Marcos and Huehuetenango, zone 18 of Guatemala City and Villa Nueva (level 4).
According to the Ministry of the Interior, a 15-day state of prevention came into force on 21 April 2026 in the departments of Guatemala, Escuintla, Izabal, San Marcos and Huehuetenango (Government Decree 6-2026). This guide does not confirm whether one is in force now: check the current situation before you travel.
INGUAT tourist assistance: 1500, free and 24 hours. National Civil Police: 110 and 120.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Semuc Champey?

According to CONAP's fee schedule (2021), Q50 for foreign visitors, Q30 for Guatemalan adults and Q10 for children; Lanquín residents do not pay. It is not confirmed that this still applies.

When is the Quetzal Biotope open?

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 365 days a year, according to the University of San Carlos.

Do you need a 4x4?

For Semuc Champey, CONAP's undated listing recommends one in the rainy season, and Prensa Libre reported in June 2025 that the last stretch had been paved; the current state of the road is not confirmed. Living in Guatemala (September 2026) recommends one for the dirt road to Laguna Lachuá.

Las Verapaces · Practical guide

Sources consulted

Information checked in October 2026. Prices, hours and rules change: confirm them with the official source before you travel.

Before you go,understand the place.

Themed guides

Semuc Champey and Lanquín

Cloud forest and waterfalls

Northern Alta Verapaz

Everything you can do

Nature and jungle · 4

Mario Dary Rivera Quetzal Biotope

Lanquín caves

Laguna Lachuá National Park

Chilascó waterfall

Lakes, rivers and waterfalls · 2

Semuc Champey Natural Monument

Las Conchas

The essentials

Where to stay

Practical tips

Safety and precautions

Frequently asked questions

Sources consulted

Other destinations

Before you go,
understand the place.