Vang Vieng is to Laos what Monteverde is to Costa Rica, just as Lanquin is to Guatemala; it is an eco tourism paradise which lots of possible activities. The most famous one being the Semuc Champey view which was a 40minute uphill hike and then swimming in these limestone bridged pools afterwards. It was even more beautiful than the photos and will forever stay my favorite place in Central America, and one to remember for life.
What I thought was the highlight was the cave exlorations, where I did not know what to expect beforehand. When we entered the cave we all got a candle light and was told to hold on to a rope as we walked for about an hour through the pitch dark caves. The water was pouring through and we had to climb, crawl and swim through the narrow caves before we came to the end where we could jump from about 3 meters, then slide down and head back the same was as we came from.
The tour, which had costs us about 20us total ended with half an hour tubing down the river where kids would run next to us and throw beers to us. Lanquin is known as a party hostel town but it is much more than that and a must visit if you are ever in Central America!
The view from our hostel “Vista Verde”
One hour with only candle light in the caves