FAQs

Welcome to Greengos, your colorful jungle escape just minutes from Semuc Champey, Guatemala’s most stunning natural wonder. Below are answers to our most common questions to help you plan your stay. You asked, we answered!

About Greengos

Greengos Hostel is located in the Semuc Champey valley, just a 10-minute walk from the entrance to Semuc Champey and close to the area’s main attractions. We are 11 km from the nearest town, Lanquín, set in a remote jungle environment surrounded by mountains and rivers.

Greengos is a social hostel with hotel-level comfort. Guests choose us for quality facilities and comfortable, stylish rooms in a remote jungle setting. The hostel has an active, social atmosphere with games and group activities.

Travelers looking for a quiet, retreat-style experience may prefer a different type of accommodation.

Yes. Despite being completely off-grid, Greengos has reliable electricity and Wi-Fi.

We’re fully solar-powered, providing electricity 24/7, and we use Starlink for fast, stable internet in the main common areas. Most guests have no trouble with video calls, streaming, or remote work.

As with anywhere in rural Guatemala, brief slowdowns or outages can occasionally occur, but overall connectivity is strong and consistent.

Yes. Non-guests are welcome to visit Greengos between 8:00 AM and 11:30 PM.

All visitors are required to open a Day Pass account with a Q100 prepayment, which is fully credited toward food and drinks at the bar and restaurant. This means each visitor has a minimum spend of Q100.

Day Pass access is subject to availability, and we reserve the right to limit visitor access during peak periods.

No. We intentionally do not offer a guided tour to Semuc Champey.

Because we are located just a 10-minute walk from the park entrance, we encourage guests to explore the pools independently and at their own pace. Visiting on your own allows you to arrive early, avoid crowds, and spend as much time as you like without being tied to a group schedule.

Transportation

We’re located 11 km from Lanquín, the nearest town. Daily shuttles run to Lanquín from major cities like Antigua, Guatemala City, Flores, Rio Dulce, and Panajachel.

For guests staying 2 nights or more, we offer free pick-up service from Lanquín between 4 PM and 9:30 PM, when the last tourist shuttle arrives. If you’re arriving by collectivo, private car, or night shuttle, please notify us in advance.

Yes — but only in coordination with incoming tourist shuttles. Our pick-up service operates exclusively around scheduled tourist shuttle arrivals (day and night routes). Each day, we track all incoming tourist shuttles into Lanquín and coordinate pick-ups accordingly.

If you are arriving by tourist shuttle and have a reservation at Greengos: our pick-up is guaranteed from the Tourism Bus Terminal in Lanquín and no additional coordination is required on your end. Pick-ups are grouped by arrival, not by exact shuttle time, so a short wait can occur. This is normal and expected.

Guests arriving by any other mode of transport must contact us in advance so we can confirm availability and discuss options. We cannot guarantee private pick-ups outside shuttle arrival hours.

Yes. The return transfer from Greengos to Lanquín departs once daily at 7:00 AM.

  • Cost: Q35 per person
  • If you book an onward tourist shuttle through Greengos, the transfer to Lanquín is included in the shuttle price
  • If you are not booking an onward shuttle, the Q35 transfer fee applies


This 7:00 AM transfer connects with all 8:00 AM onward tourist shuttles departing from Lanquín. We do not operate regular transfers back to Lanquín at other times of the day, so transport outside this schedule should not be assumed

Yes. We sell tickets for tourist shuttles departing from Lanquín to all major destinations in Guatemala. The price includes your transfer from Greengos to Lanquín.

Shuttle tickets must be booked in person at reception, paid in cash, and arranged the day before your intended departure, before 4:00 PM.

Our transport service is not continuous throughout the day.

  • Pick-ups operate only while tourist shuttles are arriving into Lanquín
  • Departures from Greengos run once daily at 7:00 AM

Transport outside these times may be possible in limited cases, but is not guaranteed and should not be assumed.

Yes, but please plan carefully.

  • A 4×4 vehicle is recommended for the final 500 metres of road (from the yellow bridge to Greengos)
  • Some vehicles can arrive without 4×4 due to recent road work, but this cannot be guaranteed
  • Road conditions can be difficult, especially after rain — arrive during daylight.

Yes. Free parking is available outside the hotel entrance. If you prefer to leave your vehicle in Lanquín, paid parking is available in the town.

If you plan to park in Lanquín, please contact us in advance so we can help you to coordinate transport from Lanquín to Greengos. Please remember that we do not offer all-day pick-up service from Lanquin.

Yes, it’s possible, but it requires multiple bus changes and careful timing.

While some travelers choose this option to save money, many find that delays or missed connections mean they don’t reach Lanquín in one day and end up overnighting in Cobán. In these cases, guests will lose a night of their reservation at Greengos, as the room has been held for them.

If you plan to travel by local buses, we strongly recommend departing very early in the morning and allowing extra time. For most guests, a tourist shuttle to Lanquín is the more reliable and straightforward option.

Booking & Reservations

Check-in is from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Because of our remote location, arrivals typically happen either early in the morning (via night shuttles) or late afternoon/early evening (via day shuttles).

Guests arriving early in the morning are welcome to register at reception and use the facilities while waiting for their room or bed to be ready. Room and bed access is guaranteed by 2:00 PM at the latest.

Please note: arrivals after 10:00 PM are not possible, and we are unable to check in guests late at night.

Check-out is at 11:00 AM. Because all onward tourist shuttles from Lanquín depart at 8:00 AM, guests continuing by shuttle must check out early, between 6:00 and 6:45 AM, to catch our 7:00 AM truck transfer to Lanquín. This is the only option for onward shuttle connections.

Guests departing later in the day are welcome to remain on the property after check-out, provided that:

  • Rooms are vacated and keys returned by 11:00 AM
  • Final bills are settled by 1:00 PM

After 1:00 PM, continued use of the facilities requires opening a Day Pass account. This involves a Q100 prepayment, which is fully credited to your account and can be used toward food and drinks at the bar and restaurant.

Yes. We’re happy to store luggage for guests before check-in and after check-out.

If you arrive early, you can leave your bags at reception while you wait for your room or bed to be ready. If you’re departing later in the day, luggage storage is available after check-out so you can continue to enjoy the property or explore the area.

You may cancel or modify your reservation up until midnight, 72 hours before your scheduled check-in date. Once the 72-hour window has passed, changes or cancellations are no longer possible, and the reservation becomes non-refundable. Nights cannot be reduced after arrival or within the 72-hour window.

To be clear: the 72-hour period is calculated from your check-in date, not from individual nights during your stay.

Approved Group Bookings require full prepayment 14 days prior to check-in. Once payment has been received and the booking is confirmed, Group Bookings are non-refundable and not eligible for date changes or reductions in group size.

Reservations during Semana Santa require full payment 30 days prior to check-in and are non refundable once paid.

Yes. Reservations can be modified up until midnight, 72 hours before your scheduled check-in date, in line with our cancellation policy.

Once the 72-hour window has passed, modifications are no longer possible, including changes to dates or a reduction in the number of nights.

Reservations for 6 or more people are considered group bookings, and are subject to additional terms and conditions outlined in our Group Booking Policy.

As a rule, we do not accommodate large groups (more than 12 people), as they can significantly impact the experience for other guests. Any exception requires explicit approval in advance and must be arranged directly with us before booking.

Approved group bookings must be paid 14 days in advance and are non-refundable once confirmed. Additional terms and conditions apply and will be communicated prior to confirmation.

We reserve the right to cancel any group booking that does not comply with our policy. In the event of a cancellation, the group’s primary contact will be notified promptly.

No. One-night stays cannot be booked in advance; reservations require a two-night minimum.

If you’d like to stay for one night, you’re welcome to arrive without a reservation and request a one-night stay upon arrival. We’ll let you know which accommodation options are available at that time, and you can choose from those. We recommend contacting us the day before or the day of arrival to check availability before driving up to the hostel.

Please note that one-night stays incur a 25% surcharge on the standard rate.

Policies & Accessibility

Yes. We require a refundable security deposit at check-in to ensure the return of room keys and hotel property (such as towels and sheets), to serve as collateral in the event of accidental damage, and to ensure that any open tabs are settled before departure.

Guests may leave either a passport or a cash deposit of Q500 per room. Deposits are stored securely under camera surveillance and are returned at check-out once the room has been vacated, room keys and hotel property have been returned, any open tabs have been paid, and a quick room check has been completed.

No. Outside food and drinks are not permitted.

Greengos operates a full bar and restaurant on-site, and outside food or beverages are not allowed anywhere on the property. This policy helps us maintain hygiene standards, manage waste in a remote jungle environment, and support the staff and services that keep the hostel running smoothly.

If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, please let us know in advance so we can assess whether we’re able to accommodate them.

No. Guests are not allowed to bring pets.

Greengos does have a few resident animals, including dogs, a cat, goats and chickens that live on the property. However, for everyone’s comfort and safety, outside pets are not permitted.

Greengos is an 18+ hostel due to its active, social atmosphere.

If you are traveling with mature teens, advance contact is required for approval. This is not a family oriented property, and we want to ensure a good fit for all guests.

Due to our remote jungle location and natural terrain, Greengos is not suitable for guests with limited mobility. The property includes uneven ground, stairs, and pathways that can be challenging to navigate, and we do not have wheelchair-accessible rooms or facilities.

If you have specific accessibility needs and would like to check whether the property might still be a workable fit, feel free to contact us in advance and we’ll be happy to advise honestly.

Payments & MOney

In most cases, payment is collected upon arrival at the time of check-in.
Exceptions:

  • Group Bookings (6 or more guests): Full payment is required 14 days prior to check-in.
  • Semana Santa reservations: Full payment is required 30 days prior to check-in.

For reservations that require advance payment, guests will be contacted directly with payment instructions.

Greengos operates on a tab system for food, drinks, and some on-site services. Guests cannot pay as you go at the bar and restaurant.

  • If you leave a passport as your security deposit, you may open a regular tab, which is settled at the end of your stay.
  • If you leave a cash deposit, you are required to use a prepaid tab, which is paid upfront with a minimum amount. Any unused balance is refunded at the end of your stay.

Please note that tours and shuttle services must be paid upfront in cash and cannot be added to a tab.
All tabs must be settled in full before check-out. Security deposits are returned only after tabs have been paid, room keys and hotel property returned, and the room check completed.

Yes. We accept credit card payments, but please note that a 6% processing fee applies to all card transactions. Tours and shuttle services must be paid in cash, as these payments are passed directly to third-party providers

No. There are no ATMs in Semuc Champey. The nearest ATM is in Lanquín (about 11 km away) and isn’t easily accessible once you’re at Greengos. This ATM can also be unreliable and often runs out of cash, so we recommend withdrawing enough cash in a larger city before coming to the area.

Yes, we exchange USD to Guatemalan Quetzales at a rate of Q7 = $1. We only accept bills that are in good condition.

Amenities & Services

Yes. We provide 24/7 Wi-Fi using Starlink satellite internet. Wi-Fi is available in the main common areas, including the bar and restaurant, and it typically reaches down to the pool area. While generally fast and reliable, service may occasionally fluctuate or experience brief interruptions.

Wi-Fi is not available in most rooms. If in-room Wi-Fi is important to you, please contact us before booking to confirm availability.

Yes. Greengos operates on a large on-site solar power system with battery storage, providing electricity throughout the property 24/7. On rare occasions, brief interruptions may occur. In those cases, we activate our backup generator to ensure continued power.

As a solar-powered property, we appreciate guests being mindful of energy use — charging laptops and devices during daylight hours when possible, and turning off lights and fans when not in use.

Yes, all showers at Greengos have hot water. We provide hot water using two systems: a central wood fired boiler and individual propane gas heaters.

The wood-fired boiler is lit each afternoon to ensure strong hot water during the cooler evening hours. As a result, water may be less hot earlier in the day. It may also take a short time for hot water to reach full temperature while it travels from the boiler to your shower.

For propane-heated showers, an occasional gas tank change may be required. If your shower is not heating properly, please inform reception so we can resolve it quickly.

Yes. Laundry service is available for Q10 per pound. Please bring your laundry to reception before 11:00 AM, and it will be returned the same day between 5:00–7:00 PM.

This is a basic convenience service, not a professional laundromat. We ask that you do not include delicate or high-value items. While we take care with all items, we cannot guarantee specialized washing or folding standards, and we are not responsible for loss or damage.

Greengos operates as a hostel, not a full-service hotel.

Rooms are cleaned between check-outs and check-ins, but daily housekeeping is not provided for in house guests. Each guest receives one towel free of charge. Towel changes are available at reception for a Q10 fee.

If you would like additional room cleaning during your stay, please speak with reception so we can advise on the available options.

Luggage assistance is not included as a standard service.

If you require help with your luggage, assistance can be arranged for a Q10 fee per bag, subject to availability. Due to our jungle setting and uneven paths, we recommend traveling with backpacks or manageable luggage.