Guatemala > Coban

Top Things to Do

If you are stranded in Coban for a day due to transportation schedules, it can be interesting to walk around the town and get a feel for a Guatemalan town that does not revolve around tourism. A few things to keep you busy during your trip are:

1) Finca Margarita - A coffee plantation right in the center of town. 1 1/2 hour guided tours are available Monday - Saturdays ending in a coffee tasting lesson. Tours are available in Spanish and English. 3a Calle 4-12, Zona 2, reservations not required;

2) Vivero Verapaz Orchid Nursery - This nursery holds over 700 varieties of orchids and can make an interesting excursion for those who are interested in Flora. The orchidarium is open daily and is best reached by a taxi from the main square; and

3) Take a stroll to the Parque National Las Victorias which is 84 hectares of land in the middle of the city providing wonderful views. Warning - you should take caution in the park and not bring anything of value with you.

This system of natural waterfalls and pools are what put Alta Verapaz on the international traveler's map. The beautiful clear waters and staggered landings provide perfect places for lazing around on a hot sunny day. Tucked away in a forested area, and hidden from civilization, this area is a little piece of heaven. This makes a great (albeit long) daytrip from Coban combined with a stop at the Lanquin caves.

Several tour buses run from Coban, but we advise renting a car for the day or hiring a taxi if you have the means so that you can enjoy it at your own pace. Pack a lunch so that you can relax along the water and take in the scenery. There are picnic tables as well as changing rooms on site. Entrance Q20.

These caves, in the town of Lanquin, are filled with stalactite and stalagmite formations, some of which have been humourously named by the locals to reflect the shapes that they form. If possible, time your visit so that you are there at dusk to see the bats make their dramatic exodus from the cave. Be careful entering the caves as the passageways can be slippery and the lights are known to go out, leaving you in complete darkness (you may want to bring a flashlight anyways).

Outside the cave you will see the Rio Lanquin which runs through it. The town of Lanquin is over 60km from Coban, so be sure to set out early in the morning. The caves make a great stopping off point either on the way to or from Semuc Champey.

Candelaria is known to have the largest caves in Latin America at 30 km in length. These caves were a sacred area for the Mayans, whose traces you can see today through the stages and staircases within the cave. The Candelaria River runs through the hundreds of small caves that make up this site. As a result, much of the site is not accessible by foot and has not been excavated.

It is possible to do a walking tour of the outer-most parts of the cave or take a tour by kayak or raft to see some of the more remote areas (this is generally an overnight tour). Note that the caves themselves are not easily accessed from Coban. It is a long, bumpy road to get there and a guide is highly recommended.

Have a seat along the edge of this small lake and ponder exactly how it could be so perfectly round - was it really a meteor crater? The lake itself makes up a small part of the surrounding National Park with its beautiful mahogany trees. The water of the lake is high in sulfur content - hence the name (from the Mayan word meaning 'fetid water'), and is presumed to be a result of petroleum beneath the lake. The laguna can be reached by car - about 2 hours (60km) from Coban.