New Years in Guatemala

Since driving throughout El Salvador went so well,  I thought I would do the same in Guatemala.  Not the best idea.

I wanted to go to Semuc Champey.   So I headed north from Guatemala City.  My offline navigation app decided to stop working until it got it's next update, which I couldn't do because I didn't have internet access.  So I could pull up the maps and the GPS worked,  but I couldn't get the app to find a route.  So I had to drive a standard transmission, with a faulty app, up and down steep mountains,   along winding roads. I was in 1st or 2nd gear nighty percent of the time. 

After driving 3.5 hours and only driving a quarter of the distance of what was supposed to be only a 4 to 6 hr drive, I was wondering if I should turn around.   I only had 3 hours until sunset and I didn't want to be on these winding mountain roads in the dark.  The decision was taken away from me when the road ended at a river.  There was a bridge,  but it was on its side in the water.  So I turned around and went to Antigua instead (another 3.5 hours drive).   From Antigua, I was able to arrange tours to the places I wanted to go.  Better to let the experts handle the transportation.

My route in Guatemala

The river that blocked my path

My trusty rental car

I spent the next day traveling to Semuc Champey.   I was able to get to Lanquin using a shuttle.  However, we had to jump into the back of a truck to make it through the last hour of the trip to Semuc Champey.   My little rental car wouldn't have made it through this last section.

In the back of the truck, I met Rodrigo, Alexi, Enrique, Paul and Louise from Mexico City.  They were in Guatemala for business as they own a website for volunteering in other countries, Nomad Republic.   They had driven from Mexico city and had a similar experience driving in Guatemala as I did, which made me feel much less foolish.

Paul, Rodrigo, Enrique, Louise, and Alexi

We arrived in Semuc Champey late at night, but with enough time for dinner and some Latin dancing.  So it wasn't until the next morning that I got to enjoy the full slender of where we were.

Semuc Champey as seen from my hostel

We started the day with a 40 minute hike to the view point.  Now the route up was steep and muddy, requiring us to use ropes and trees to pull ourselves up, but the view was amazing.

Semuc Champey

We then got to swim in the pools.

Where the river goes underground

Swimming in the pools

After lunch, we got to explore the water caves of K'an-B'a.  Using only candles to guide our way, we climbed and swam our way through the caves.  There was even a waterfall that we got to climb up  inside the caves.

K'an-B'a water caves

K'an-B'a water caves

My new friend Lalique from Montreal

We ended the day tubing down the river.

The next day,  I traveled to Flores,  a beautiful island in the middle of a lake.   After exploring the city and enjoying some steak, I went to bed early.   This was quite lame of me as it was New Years Eve.  When I woke up at 6:30 am the next morning,  the music was still playing in the streets.

Flores at sunset

Flores

On New Years Day, I explored the ruins of Tikal, which are the largest ruins in Guatemala.  The ruins are in the middle of the jungle, so we got to see many animals such as howler monkeys,  occellated turkeys, and coatimundi.

Ruins in Tikal

Ruins in Tikal

Ruins in Tikal

Ruins in Tikal

Ruins in Tikal

Ruins in Tikal

Ruins in Tikal

I was joined by Veemal and Dylan from New Zealand on the tour of Tikal,  who I met on the shuttle to Semuc Champey, and kept running into every day for four days straight.  Great minds think alike.

Dylan and Veemal

I took an overnight bus back to Antigua.   I had the day to explore Antigua and relax.  

Antigua

The following day, I hiked the Pacayo Volcano, which gave spectacular views of Vulcan de Auga, Vulcan Acatenago, and Vulcan de Fuego.  Pacayo's last eruption was in 2014 and the underlayers of hardened lava still give off heat.  We were able to roast marshmallows using this heat.

Vulcan de Auga, Vulcan Acatenago, and Vulcan de Fuego

Me on my hike up Pacayo Volcano

Roasting marshmallows on Pacayo Volcano

The next day,  I  headed back to El Salvador to meet up with Justin who was flying back after working a week in Fort McMurray.   Although I had enjoyed my adventure on my own, I was more than ready to get back to traveling with Justin.