Is it worth going? How does it compare to Chiapas in Mexico or any of the nearby Central American countries. Any stories are welcome as well.>How do I avoid the apparent hordes of Israelis
i went for a month a few years back. it was one of the best trips I've ever taken. I'll come back and post pics and travelog later after work.
semuc champey is one of the coolest natural wonders I've ever seen. A mountain river spilling out of the jungle into these cascading pools, which are probably 80 feet wide, and 6 feet deep, warm, clean, and full of colorful fish that will clean your feet if you let them. it takes several hours of sketchy bus rides to get to, but once you are there, the amenities are decent, the people are cool, and no crime that i could see. also the locals vacation there with their families so it's not some kind of gringo trap. you can take a guided tour of the caves near there, which are amazing and, frankly kind of dangerous. still worth it though. make sure you have good shoes as it's very easy to lose flipflops in the pitch black water filled caverns
the outdoors are amazing and you should try to do it all--mayan ruins, volcano guided hikes, semuc champey, etc. But i also recommend going to one of the midsize cities there like Xela, if you're interested in experiencing daily city life.
>>2871532Guatemala is very insecure, but the guys are smol and not much of a physical threat one on one. You still have to beware of machete wielding robbers, especially in the countryside. There have been motorbike or car travelers who stop in village only for word to get around that a gringo is passing through and an ambush to be laid on a remote stretch of mountain road up ahead. If you are spending a lot of money to do tourist stuff like the poster who visited the natural monument, you should be safe, as the villagers won't fuck with their cash cow. But if you're wandering down random streets alone, you have to be on guard and have no tolerance for being fucked with. Always assume that everyone is carrying a knife, and don't let yourself be surrounded. If you think someone is following you, fast walk and their stubby little legs won't be able to keep up without running (and you'd hear them if they came running up behind you).
