Guatemala’s volcanic highlands heat water and steam in several places: around Zunil, the Ministerio de Cultura’s listing for the municipal park notes sulphur fields, fumaroles and thermal water on the Zunil volcano. The sites below range from public thermal pools and a sauna hotel to a thermal waterfall, plus two natural sites that are not hot springs.
Here are eight spots, from cloud forest thermal baths to volcanic steam.
TL;DR: This guide compares 8 natural bathing spots. Fuentes Georginas (Q60 foreigners / Q40 nationals) is the classic hot spring near Xela, Semuc Champey (Q50 for foreigners, CONAP) has turquoise limestone pools, and Finca El Paraíso (about Q20, Ministerio de Cultura) is a thermal waterfall meeting a cold river.
Disambiguation warning: Several popular sites in Guatemala get called hot springs when they aren’t. Semuc Champey is a limestone formation over the Cahabón River with turquoise pools on top (CONAP). Laguna Chicabal is a sacred crater lake where swimming is prohibited (Soy502). Las Cumbres in Zunil is a hotel and spa built on natural steam and mineral thermal water. This guide separates real geothermal sources from the rest.
Master Comparison Table
USD at the Banguat reference rate of Q7.64157 per dollar for 10 October 2026 (today’s rate). A dash means none of the sources listed under Sources gives the figure.
| Site | Location | Type | Entry Fee (GTQ) | Entry (USD) | Temperature | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuentes Georginas | Zunil, Quetzaltenango | Hot spring pools | Q60 foreigners / Q40 nationals | $7.85 / $5.23 | – | Restaurant, changing rooms, cabins |
| Semuc Champey | Alta Verapaz | Limestone pools over the Cahabón River | Q50 foreigners / Q30 Guatemalan adults | $6.54 / $3.93 | – | Viewpoint; camping Q10 per tent |
| Finca El Paraiso | El Estor, Izabal | Thermal waterfall + cold San Antonio river | About Q20 | $2.62 | – | Restaurant, camping, lodging, toilets |
| Santa Teresita | – | Pools | Family pools: Q75 ages 1-9 / Q105 ages 10 and up | $9.81 / $13.74 | – | – |
| Aguas Amargas | Zunil, Quetzaltenango | Open-air thermal pools | Q25 (+Q10 parking) | $3.27 | – | Viewpoint, short trails |
| Las Cumbres | Zunil, Quetzaltenango | Hotel and spa: natural steam saunas, thermal tubs | – | – | – | Hotel rooms, some with a private sauna or thermal tub |
| Los Vahos | Hillside above Quetzaltenango | Volcanic-steam saunas | – | – | Steam only (no pools) | Cabins (2018 report) |
| Chicabal Crater Lake | San Martín Sacatepéquez, Quetzaltenango | Sacred crater lake | Q75 foreigners / Q20 nationals (Guatemala.com, 2025 prices) | $9.81 / $2.62 | – | Trails, no swimming |
Fuentes Georginas: The Classic
Fuentes Georginas sits at kilometre 220, 8 km from the town of Zunil, at the end of a paved road (Soy502, 3 June 2026). Full logistics, verified prices and the crowd clock: our dedicated Fuentes Georginas guide.
The Ministerio de Cultura listing gives opening hours of Monday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (read 28 October 2026).
The Pools
The Ministerio de Cultura’s listing (read 25 September 2026) counts seven thermal pools whose temperatures vary naturally; Soy502 (3 June 2026) describes four main pools of sulphur water at different temperatures. Neither of them, nor Guatemala.com, publishes a temperature for any pool, so test each pool by hand.
Costs
| Item | Cost (GTQ) | Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance, foreign visitor | Q60 | $7.85 | Ministerio de Cultura listing, read 25 Sep 2026 |
| Entrance, Guatemalan visitor | Q40 | $5.23 | Same |
| Child | Q25 | $3.27 | Guatemala.com, Jul 2025 |
| Parking, per vehicle | Q25 | $3.27 | Guatemala.com, Jul 2025 |
| Bungalow, per person per night | Q190 | $24.86 | Ministerio de Cultura; includes entry and parking |
Cash only (Guatemala.com). The Ministerio de Cultura listing, Soy502 and Guatemala.com give no menu or locker prices.
Getting There
From Quetzaltenango: take a chicken bus to Zunil, then a shared pickup up the 8 km access road; fares for those two legs are not in any of the sources listed below, so ask locally. Adrenalina Tours sells a villages-and-hot-springs day trip from Xela at US$55 per person, minimum two, entry included (read 24 August 2026) (details on our Fuentes Georginas page).
Adrenalina Tours also includes an English- or Spanish-speaking guide and private round-trip transportation in that villages-and-hot-springs trip (read 28 October 2026).
Explore Quetzaltenango on the map.
Tips
- Go early. Guatemala.com advises arriving early, especially at weekends.
- Bring a towel. Adrenalina Tours tells its clients to bring a swimsuit, sandals and a towel.
- Bring cash. Guatemala.com says cards are not accepted.
Semuc Champey: Turquoise Limestone Terraces
Semuc Champey is not a hot spring. CONAP describes karst walls forming a natural limestone bridge about 500 m long, with the Cahabón River flowing underneath and turquoise pools on top; at one end the river enters a limestone cavern and passes under the pools.
What You Will See
The turquoise pools on top of the limestone bridge, and the spot where the Cahabón River disappears into the cavern. CONAP notes a viewpoint (mirador) with a view over the natural pools and the karst walls.
Costs
| Item | Cost (GTQ) | Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance (foreigner) | Q50 | $6.54 | CONAP tariff book |
| Entrance (Guatemalan adult) | Q30 | $3.93 | CONAP tariff book |
| Entrance (Guatemalan child) | Q10 | $1.31 | CONAP tariff book |
| Entrance (Lanquín residents) | Exempt | – | CONAP tariff book |
| Camping, per tent | Q10 | $1.31 | CONAP tariff book |
Getting There
Semuc Champey is in Alta Verapaz, and CONAP’s tariff exempts residents of the municipality of Lanquín. For shuttles, lodging and the road in, see our Semuc Champey logistics guide and our driving guide.
Tips
- Hike to the viewpoint first, then cool off in the pools after.
- Bring water shoes or sandals with straps for the limestone.
Finca El Paraiso: The Hot Waterfall
The Ministerio de Cultura’s directory (read 10 October 2026) describes Finca El Paraíso, in El Estor, Izabal, as known for its thermal waterfall, one of the few of its kind in Guatemala: hot water from the mountains mixes with the cold water of the San Antonio river. The waterfall is about eight metres high and forms natural pools where visitors can swim.
Location + Access
- Department: Izabal, municipality of El Estor
- Entry fee: about Q20 per person (about $2.62)
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Facilities: restaurant, camping area, lodging, toilets and security, per the same listing
What It Is
Hot water emerges from the mountains and meets the cold San Antonio river below an eight-metre waterfall, with natural pools and walking trails around it. Near the finca there is a lagoon with recreational activities such as banana-boat rides, per the listing.
Getting There
Get to El Estor first, then ask locally for transport to the finca. For the Izabal region, see our Rio Dulce and Livingston boat guide.
Santa Teresita: Family Pools
Santa Teresita’s own price page (santateresita.com.gt, read 10 October 2026) lists its family pools (piscinas familiares) at Q75 for ages 1 to 9 and Q105 for ages 10 and up.
| Item | Cost (GTQ) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Family pools, ages 10 and up | Q105 | $13.74 |
| Family pools, ages 1 to 9 | Q75 | $9.81 |
Best for: Families with kids. Check the site’s own pages for location, hours and other areas before you go.
Santa Teresita lists its address as Avenida Puente La Gloria, Riveras del Río Michatoya, Amatitlán. Its hotel and thermal spa hours are Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and it notes hours may vary on holidays and special dates. Its family pools are available every day (Santa Teresita price page, read 28 October 2026).
Las Cumbres: a Sauna Hotel in Zunil
Las Cumbres Eco-Hotel, Termalismo y Spa sits at km 211.5 on the road from Zunil toward Retalhuleu (Soy502, 23 September 2026). Its own site says its main draw is natural steam and mineral thermal water, and Soy502 says it is built over a reservoir of Zunil’s geothermal system. The first saunas were built in 2001 and the spa opened in 2009, and some rooms have a natural sauna, a thermal-water tub or a thermal-water jacuzzi. Its site showed no prices when checked on 25 September 2026; reservations on +502 2507 9989, WhatsApp +502 5304 2102.
Zunil’s third option, Aguas Amargas (km 207, Q25 plus Q10 parking, 7:30-18:00 per Guatemala.com in June 2025), and a side-by-side of all three are on our Zunil hot springs page.
Best for: Couples and anyone who wants a private soak and a room rather than public pools. Explore Quetzaltenango on the map.
Los Vahos: Volcanic Steam Saunas
Los Vahos is a set of volcanic-steam saunas over hot rocks on the hillside above Quetzaltenango, with no pools and with cabins, as described by the Xela NGO magazine EntreMundos in November 2018, which put it a 30 to 60 minute walk uphill on 9a Avenida. That article is the only dated source for this site in this guide, and its 2018 price is too old to rely on, so ask on arrival.
Best for: Visitors to Quetzaltenango who want volcanic steam rather than a pool. Combine with a Santa Maria volcano hike for the ambitious.
Explore Quetzaltenango on the map.
Chicabal Crater Lake: Sacred but No Swimming
Laguna Chicabal sits in the crater of the Chicabal volcano in San Martín Sacatepéquez, Quetzaltenango, and Soy502 describes it as a sacred site of the Maya Mam people where ceremonies are still held; for that reason swimming is prohibited.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance | Q75 foreigners, Q20 Guatemalan adults, Q10 children ($9.81 / $2.62 / $1.31) | Guatemala.com, 2025 prices; Soy502 (20 Aug 2026) gives Q20 |
| Parking | Q20 ($2.62) | Guatemala.com, 2025 prices |
| Hike to crater | 1.5 to 2 hours, about 5 km from San Martín Chiquito | Ministerio de Cultura listing |
See our Laguna Chicabal guide for the full visit.
What to Bring
| Item | Hot Springs | Semuc Champey | Los Vahos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swimsuit | Yes | Yes | Optional |
| Towel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water shoes | Optional | Essential | Not needed |
| Sunscreen | Yes | Yes | Not needed |
| Water (1L+) | Yes | Yes (2L) | Yes |
| Snacks | Recommended | Essential | Optional |
| Change of clothes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waterproof phone case | Recommended | Essential | Not needed |
Sources
- Fuentes Georginas: Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Sistema de Información Cultural listing (read 25 September 2026); Soy502, 3 June 2026; Guatemala.com, 16 July 2025. Research notes on our Fuentes Georginas page.
- Semuc Champey: CONAP, Libro Tarifario (updated 11 November 2021, read 13 August 2026), and CONAP, Turismo responsable en áreas protegidas (read 24 September 2026).
- Finca El Paraíso: Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, SIC listing (read 10 October 2026).
- Santa Teresita: price page (read 10 October 2026).
- Aguas Amargas and Las Cumbres: Guatemala.com (16 June 2025), Soy502 (23 September 2026) and the Las Cumbres website (read 25 September 2026).
- Los Vahos: EntreMundos, November 2018.
- Laguna Chicabal: Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, SIC listing; Guatemala.com (2025 prices); Soy502, 20 August 2026.
- Exchange rate: Banguat reference rate for 10 October 2026.
- Adrenalina Tours, villages and hot springs trip, read 28 October 2026.
Related Guides
- Hiking Volcanoes in Guatemala – including Santa Maria above Quetzaltenango
- Adventure Sports in Guatemala – canyoneering and caving near hot springs areas
- Free Things to Do – free natural attractions
- Is Guatemala Safe? – safety data for each region mentioned
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best hot springs in Guatemala?
Fuentes Georginas, in Zunil above Quetzaltenango, charges Q60 for foreign visitors and Q40 for Guatemalans per the Ministerio de Cultura listing read 25 September 2026. Finca El Paraíso in El Estor, Izabal, is a thermal waterfall that the same ministry’s directory calls one of the few of its kind in Guatemala, with entry of about Q20. Semuc Champey in Alta Verapaz is a set of turquoise limestone pools, not a hot spring; CONAP’s tariff charges foreigners Q50.
How much does it cost to visit Semuc Champey?
CONAP’s tariff book (updated 11 November 2021, read 13 August 2026) charges Q50 for foreign visitors, Q30 for Guatemalan adults and Q10 for Guatemalan children; residents of Lanquín are exempt, and camping is Q10 per tent. Ask any tour operator for a written quote for transport and guiding.
Can you visit hot springs near Antigua Guatemala?
Fuentes Georginas, Aguas Amargas and Las Cumbres are in Zunil, Quetzaltenango, so plan those from Xela; Laguna Chicabal is in San Martín Sacatepéquez, Quetzaltenango; Finca El Paraíso is in El Estor, Izabal; and Semuc Champey is in Alta Verapaz. For Santa Teresita, check its own website for location and prices.
Where is Santa Teresita in Guatemala?
Santa Teresita lists its address as Avenida Puente La Gloria, Riveras del Río Michatoya, Amatitlán (read 28 October 2026).
