Hostal El Portal de Semuc Champey — Hotel in Lanquín

Stayed here for 2 nights while exploring the area. As everyone mentioned, the location is great. You are near the entrance to caves and Semuc Champey. The river runs right in front of the property so you can see it while eating. Beyond the wonderful experience of the caves and park, I was hoping for a better experience at Portal. Overall, the staff was kind and tried their best and I’m appreciative of that.

The food was very disappointing. I didn’t expect a 5 course meal but hoped for a bit better food. If you order the omelette, it is doused in cheese whiz or liquid cheese and not the good kind. It was oozing out the sides. I say this because if you are a person who can’t have cheese, make sure you tell them. I got the pancakes the next day and they were good. I ordered the spaghetti for dinner and it was pasta with what tasted like salsa dip mixed in. A different take on spaghetti I suppose.

All electricity is cut off around somewhere between 10:30 pm - 12 am (I fell asleep) and doesn’t come back on until late morning/early afternoon. This wouldn’t have been so bad if there was a warning or sign that said so. I thought I was going crazy so I went to the front desk and they told me then. I didn’t properly prepare to charge my phone for the next day. This also includes power to the light in main room. The bathroom had a very small light. Make sure you are packed or prepared for the dark.

The place is located in the middle of nowhere so I didn’t expect too much in terms of accommodation but there was very little water in the bathroom sink. I legit couldn’t wash my face with it. The shower has no hot water (building character I guess).

There’s nothing else to do in the area and it didn’t help it rained most of my time there so I was a bit bored. I say all this to present the facts of my experience. I probably would stay in Lanquin next time and make the short drive to Semuc Champey.

PS: The caves and Semuc Champey were amazing! Definitely bring water shoes (sturdy ones too. Mine broke and I had to rent a pair). If you want to take photos, bring a water...

I personally think that there's nowhere else I would stay if I want to enjoy the magnificent natural pools of Semuc Champey and the Kamba caves at its fullest. El Portal is a couple of minutes walk of the entrance of both amazing attractions. If you stay in Lanquin, there might be more ammenities and connectivity, but you are still 45 minutes and a really rough drive away from the natural pools. And there's nothing like waking up early in the morning and walk along the river to the beautiful waterfalls. The hotel's location is simply idyllic. Lush vegetation, a beautiful river, and the hotel architecture itself is very harmonious with the surrounding nature. There is no hot water and no internet. And electricity is cut off at around 10:30 pm. So if you want to use your Semuc Champey as an opportunity to disconnect and enjoy nature at its fullest, you are in the right place. Rooms are basic, but clean. And so is the food at the restaurant (hearty, no frills but not terrible either). There are many options in the menu to choose for. My only big issue with the hotel (and its important for you to know) is that they play very loud music at the restaurant area until around 11 or 11:30 PM, and the noise can be felt in all the hotel rooms. It kinda kills the purpose of a nice and quiet natural experience, but again, I think the hotel's location trumps the loud music. I really wish there would be more consideration for those of us who would like to have a quieter experience. Overall, a fantastic experience, and in spite of the loud music, I would definitely stay...

Every tour or travel guide go mad about this place... But if you have seen waterfalls and pools in Turkey or Italy or have visited the Alps, it's not so exceptional...|The point is: it's very difficult to access. From Lanquin you need a real 4x4 pick up truck to get you there.|The path is very rough indeed, about 40 mn, muddy, slippery and very very steep.|Do not attempt to drive it yourself.|Once you get to the "hotel ", watch out for the price range... your booking may not always be found..we were given a top floor open space ( no mosquito net or windows ", single beds in a very poor state.. no towels and sharing loos and cold showers with another 12 people and yet we booked a standard room!|We were then upgraded to a private tiny room, with loo and a trickle of cold water.|Electricity is switched off at 9 pm|The place is very damp and cold at night: there's no blankets! Pillows are disgusting.|The views are nice to the flowing river and you can do a hard trek up 500 m to the Mirador.|Food is basic but ok, very slow service, one and a half hour to wait for breakfast.|This is more for young backpackers to chill out and for the locals to enjoy their lovely landscape free.|Other pay an entrance fee of 50 quetzales a day.|A friendly place but...