The pools are formed on a natural limestone bridge. Beneath it, the Cahabón River rushes underground through tunnels in the rock, while on top, rainwater has collected over many thousands of years into a chain of shallow pools. The water is a stunning shade of turquoise because of minerals in the limestone.
There are about a dozen pools in total, each one a slightly different shade of green or blue, depending on how deep it is and what time of day you visit. The pools step down like a staircase, with little waterfalls tumbling between them. Swimming from one pool to the next, you have to slide carefully over the smooth limestone lip.
The jungle around Semuc Champey is incredibly lush and alive. Thick ferns, moss, and tropical trees crowd the banks, and butterflies drift over the water. Spider monkeys have been spotted in the branches above, and bright green lizards sun themselves on the warm rocks.
Getting to Semuc Champey takes some effort — the road is rough and winding, and the final path is a steep walk through the forest. But from the viewpoint at the top, you can look down and see the whole chain of glowing pools spread out below you in the green jungle, which most visitors agree is completely worth it.