Comments on: Semuc Champey – What No One Told Me

By: Taj

Taj — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 03:19:25 +0000

In reply to Chris. This article had me laughing hysterically. Was reading about the cave tour from a few other (positive) travel blogs but it sounded horrendous to me all the same. Can’t believe how many people willingly agree to that madness. Great writing.

By: Tessa

Tessa — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 02:26:24 +0000

I just avoid remote caves period after the Thai cave disaster. Also bat faeces. Literally one of the worst things you can come into contact with. I’ll be enjoying the SC pools from outside ☺️

By: Charlie Marchant

Charlie Marchant — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 15:29:36 +0000

In reply to Vivien. Glad that you loved it, Vivien!

By: Vivien

Vivien — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:25:33 +0000

I have to disagree, the whole experience for me was amazing. it was one adventure after another. we were there in 2012 and I still remember every bit as fun and exciting. loved it. We stayed at Zephyr before it became oh so fancy and it was such a lovely spot. Couldn’t spend our money there as it was all so inexpensive. Brilliant time had

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 06:42:06 +0000

Those caves were the worst. I travel everywhere and it’s still a scary memory. Tubing on that river after a storm hit unexpectedly also gave me and my little sister a nightmare adventure. Don’t tube on that river or go in those caves! Go have fun at Semuc Champey!

By: Raphael Samson

Raphael Samson — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 03:19:01 +0000

I’m sorry you had a bad experience, but I would hate for someone to read this and be deterred like we almost were. I considered skipping this part of the trip but in the end decided to stick with the plan to go. Entering the caves, my heart was racing in anticipation but within 5 minutes, everyone was totally comfortable. With many candles the space was well lit. The water wasn’t too cold for us and it was easy for us to move along, mostly avoiding stubbed toes. The rope up the waterfall was optional, but an exciting experience. The chute was more like a large step down through a crack. I dropped in and went under water (while the guide held the candle and assisted) but my husband simply lowered himself down without going under. All in all it was a fun and unique experience. Our guide was great and everyone in our group loved it. Would absolutely recommend this experience.
*Though if you have a health condition, anxiety, or are claustrophobic, obviously don’t go on a cave tour.

By: Jane Hughes

Jane Hughes — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 13:53:28 +0000

Wish I’d read this before going here! Basically I wished I didn’t bother. The journey there in the truck was awful. I didn’t mind the cave as much as you but I did scream at one point.

By: Lea Askgaard

Lea Askgaard — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 14:43:53 +0000

Hiya, really enjoy reading your blog! I’m sorry you had such a bad experienced in the Semuc Champey caves. From your description it sounds like the cave tour is still much the same as when we visited in 2006 – candlelit, throwing yourself down holes etc – we LOVED it. I felt I would add my comments here for balance. After travelling in over 50 countries around the world this is still among my top 3 travel experiences. Highly recommended!

By: Charlie Marchant

Charlie Marchant — Wed, 29 May 2019 14:21:42 +0000

In reply to Terry.

Hi Terry – It sounds like you must feel quite similarly to me about this type of experience! I can certainly see why thrill-seekers love it, but for me it’s just not enjoyable. It’s good that your guide told you the “death chute” was optional. Our guide, unfortunately, said there was “no other way”. Only when I got really upset about the idea of going through did he say there was another way and sent me clambering up into the darkness. I actually then went in the wrong direction in the dark, on top of a big slippery rock with my candle flickering out. I eventually found the ladder down thanks to my partner who came up with me. It felt extremely unsafe though.

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 29 May 2019 02:54:50 +0000

Hi,
I just did the caves today. Not a great experience for me, although some may enjoy it. If I had been wearing contacts, I would have fared better, my eyeglasses kept fogging up. This resulted in my hitting my head. So, I took a break and didnt finish the journey with my group. I sat, in a cave, with a candle, by myself until they returned. When the aptly named “death chute” appeared, everyone else did it. I, on the other hand, had a full on panic attack. I will say from the get go the guide said it was optional. And he was cool and seemed to understand that I couldn’t do it. So, he led me back into the light of day. But I was shakey from the panic attack, so that sucked. Some people probably love this stuff. Me, not so much.