Nicaragua – Budget Travel Tips

Guatemala is one of the cheapest countries in Latin America, so just being there is saving money. There is no way to avoid hiring a guide for the caves, nor would you want to. For the more adventurous there are 2 hour, 4 hour, and 8 hour private high risk tours available in the caves, but pray it doesn’t rain.

The El Portal Hostal located at the rivers edge in Semuc Champey is a wonderful base hostel for exploring all that Semuc Champey has to offer. If you plan to spend a few days there, choose to stay down by the river. The hostal may be slightly more expensive, but you won’t have to pay for transportation in and out of the valley back up to Lanquin every time you want to visit.
The lodging by the river is much more connected with nature and Lanquin is not much of town anyway. Larger and more expensive caves can be found in Lanquin, as well as whitewater rafting.
Aracely Castellani

Guatemala 3 Climbing Ladders

As if we were in a small mine, different levels of the cave were connected by ladders made of thin metal pipes held together with thick bands of rubber and black electrical tape. We had to climb these ladders, which in our minds would be a legal nightmare in the States, but I guess that is truly one of the advantages to adventures in Central America. Narrow tunnels led to different chambers in the cave, some with still pools of water and others with rushing water falls. The cave’s walls were decorated with stalactite and stalagmite formations.
We even had the option to climb up a waterfall and jump off a short cliff. Yes, all this inside the cave and far away from daylight. Jason went for it. I on the other hand, was particularly shy and nervous in the darkness of that cave and watched in disbelief as Jason trusted his life with our guide. He was the only one to make the jump.
The guide makes the journey fun with several surprises that we won’t disclose here. One bit of advice is to bring a glow stick to wear around your neck. We wish we did. We also don’t suggest this tour for those that aren’t physically fit, since some of the ladder climbing is a bit confined and difficult.
Aracely Castellani
(to be continued)