Guatemala is a backpacker’s paradise. I didn’t know much about Guatemala when I turned up there. Now, I can confidently say that it’s my favourite country I’ve ever travelled to.
Semuc Champey, near Lanquin in the Northern Mayan region of Guatemala is a truly wonderful natural sight. The Cahabon River meets a natural limestone bridge that cuts through the Guatemalan jungle. It creates some stunning turquoise pools, perfect for swimming and exploring. Semuc is quickly becoming a more popular tourist attraction.
I knew I had to visit, but the nearest town was over 11km away. Luckily for me (and all the other tourists) there is Greengo’s Hostel. An eco-resort/hotel/hostel right in the heart of the jungle, just walking distance away from Semuch Champey.
Here’s an HONEST Greengo’s Hostel review to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
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Getting to Know Greengo’s Hotel
Anyone backpacking in Guatemala should visit Semuch Champey. In my opinion, the place to stay in this region is Greengo’s Hotel. It’s a sustainability-focused hotel-hostel, driven by the mission to:
“Provide an energetic, beautiful space for travellers to unwind and create memories while minimizing environmental impact and give back to the community and planet”
Whilst there are definitely some drawbacks to the place, I would say that it is one of the most memorable hostels I stayed in on my Central American adventure.
Rated 8.6 on HOSTELWORLD by over 1000 backpackers, it’s safe to say that overall, this hostel satisfies the masses. Whilst I can sympathise with some of the dissatisfied customers, I would still say that considering its location, Greengo’s does a damn good job.
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What’s Unique About Greengo’s Hotel?
Greengo’s is a very unique hostel. It has numerous features, both good and bad, that are rare. Let’s discuss them, shall we? What makes Greengo’s unique are the following…
- Remote jungle location
- Awesome activities
- Weird payment system
- Basic rooms/facilities
- Amazing hostel design and pool area
The best thing about this hostel is the tours and activities at Greengo’s. In addition to being within walking distance of the stunning Semuc Champey pools, you can take a tour through the hidden caverns of the K’an Ba Caves, join chocolate and community workshops and best of all… EXTREME TUBING!
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
Location of Greengo’s Hotel
Greengo’s Hostel is nestled in the heart of the Semuc Champey jungle, one of the best places to visit in Guatemala. The remote location has both its pros and cons.
Whilst you get to wake up to paradise on your doorstep, the remoteness is far from convenient. One of the main cons to this place is the lack of food/restaurants nearby. You have to pay for all supplies from the hostel directly, and they have a weird pre-payed card punching system I was not a fan of.
There are no cash points in the jungle, and they charge 6% extra for card payments. The nearest cashpoint is 30 minutes away in Lanquin!
If you’re travelling in Guatemala, BRING CASH!
At Greengos they offer various room types:
• Dorm Rooms: 7 and 9 bex mixed dorms. 18 Bed Noisy Room.
• Private Rooms: Riverfront Private Room Shared Bathroom, Pool-Front Semi-Private Rooms, 3 and 2 Bed Balcony and Bathroom Private Rooms, Queen Rooms with Shared Bathrooms and Standard Private Rooms with Balcony and Bathroom.
• The prices of dorm rooms range from $14 to $17.
• Private room prices vary greatly. The queen rooms with shared bathrooms are only $44 while the 3 bed private rooms are $66.
Get Insured Before You Travel
Remember guys, better safe than sorry. Guatemala can be dangerous – watch your own back with some solid travel insurance.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Do I Recommend Greengo’s Hotel?
Despite having some drawbacks, I can 100% recommend Greengo’s Hostel to anyone looking to visit Semuc Champey in Guatemala.
I came here not expecting much, but it turned out to be one of the best things to do in Guatemala. I extended my stay twice! It turned out to be one of the most unique and fun hostels in the country too.
It’s a wonderfully remote location, has a ton of cool facilities, is eco-friendly, and most of all, offers some amazing tours.
If you have any questions or comments about Greengo’s Hostel, hit me up in the comments section below! I’d love to hear your opinion on Greengo’s too. ‘Til next time guys!
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