The Verapaces

How to get There

Cobán is located 212 km. from  Guatemala city. To get there, take the Atlantic Highway (CA-9) to El Rancho (km. 84), then turn north for another 128 km.

The Verapaces are a natural paradise with forests, rivers, waterfalls and caves which have been taken care of by the  natives and by foreigners who established them selves in the region during the course of history. Traditional tourists as well as the most adventurous ones will find lots of activities and places to visit in the region of "True Peace".

Cobán and Surroundings

Cobán was named "Imperial City" around 1558 by Charles V, king of Spain. The city conserves a traditional ambiance and several ancient buildings. Among the main spots of interest in the city are the central park (being refurbished), the park is surrounded by the colonial church and the elegant two story building which houses the local government. Cobán's Calvary is a special place; although the church is modest, to reach it one must climb a stairway with more than 100 stairs containing several maya altars. From atop the shrine in El Calvario one has a magnificent view of the whole city of Cobán. On Sunday mornings Mass is celebrated in Q'eqchi' language and with marimba music. Two national parks in Cobán offer the chance of a field trip without leaving the city. Las victorias park has several trails and  sport tracks, as well as a recently restored colonial building. San José La Colonia park has a cold water swimming pool filled with water sprouting from the mountains inside the park. The surroundings of Cobán are colorful and full of unique landscapes. Tea plantations from a local cooperative can be seen on the road to San Juan Chamelco. In Chamelco one must visit the church which has a curious outer design and on the inside is reminiscent of the first churches built in the country. The road to San Pedro Carchá offers beautiful landscapes with pine forests. The church, central park, and market are worth a visit in Carchá. Near Carchá, Las Islas park is bathed by a river which forms some waterfalls and a series of natural pools which are ideal for swimming. After swimming in the cool natural waters nothing is better than a hot plate of the local soup known as kak ik. The towns of Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal are located a little farther away from Cobán. Both towns have churches dating from colonial times. In San Cristobal one may enjoy several attractions such as the Poqomchi' culture museum, Chicoj lagoon, the Calvary shrine, or any of the other sites from which the town and the lake may be seen. Near the Calvary there is a small factory where they make marimba, Guatemala´s national instrument.

Northern Alta Verapaz

The main natural destinations in this region include Laguna de Lachuá, Candelaria caves, Sepalau lagoons, Bombil Peccaves and Las Conchas river in Chahal.

Baja Verapaz

Several archaeological sites and colonial buildings are located on the green valleys which nestle Salamá and San Jerónimo. In San Jerónimo the main attraction is a museum located in the restored facilities of what used to be a sugar mill during colonial times. In different places around the town one may find the ruins of what used to be the aqueduct supplying water to the mill. In Rabinal the main handicrafts are gourds decorated with a 100% natural glaze made by mixing insects (Nij) with soot. The town´s church is decorated with a special style known a "almohadillado". Around Rabinal several rivers sprout from the mountains and offer a cool bathing place.

Polochic

The region formed by the Polochic river valley and its tributaries is one of the unexplored paradises in Guatemala. A series of small towns (Tamahú, Tucurú, Telemán, La Tinta, Senahú, and Panzós) have pretty river landscapes as well as mountain forests.

Lanquín

Lanquin cave, located some 2 hours away from Cobán, is Guatemala´s most famous cave. The first view of the cave is amazing; a huge rock wall covered by dense vegetation and in the center you can see the entrance to the cave; on the base of the wall the Cahabon river pounds strongly with its turquoise colored waters. It is estimated that the Lanquin caves system is some 100 km. long. The first 400 meters are artificially illuminated and can be visited by crossing a series of iron stairs and bridges. Salactites, stalagmites, and towers sculpted through thousands of years seem to form ghostly figures inside the cavern. At sunset thousands of bats can be seen flying out of the cave as they seek food in nearby forests. Due to its geological origin, the Verapaces region has many caves. Rey Marcos caves in San Juan Chamelco offer a chance to dip into an underground river. Candelaria caves in Chisec also have a river, and they are fantastically illuminated by natural windows on their walls. The Chinchoy caves in Tactic are a sacred place where Maya rituals are carried out. Remember that caves are special ecosystems which are not fully understood. Do not litter inside caves, remain on marked trails, and avoid making marks on the walls or breaking rocks which have taken thousands of years to form.

Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey, the realm of the green pools, is one of nature's  most beautiful works. The name is derived from the local Q'eqchi' language and it means (water) "that hides under the ground". This amazing place is formed by a natural limestone bridge. The  Cahabón river forces its way below the rocks, forming an impressive white water current which runs so violently that its waters have the smell of the crushed herbs ripped off from the basin. Over the rocks, several streams form a magnificent series of natural pools. Water in the pools is so clear than one can easily see the rocks at the bottom, even in the pools deeper than 3 meters. Seen from a short distance, the pools have a turquoise color due to the mineral components of the rocks. The hot weather of Laquín and the fresh waters of Semuc make this a favorite spot for swimmers. Semuc Champey is a fragile site, so there has been a considerable amount of work in trying to protect it as a  Natural Monument. It is outfitted with trails, bathrooms, and areas for camping and picnics. Semuc is located 13 km. away from the town of Lanquín, which is 40 km away from Cobán. Semuc Champey became famous thanks to its relative nearness, however  there are many similar marvels throughout the Verapaces region. Sepalau lagoons, located near Chisec, and Las Conchas in Chahal, are among the newly publicized natural pools in this region.

Biotopo del Quetzal

A magic world of waterfalls, tumbling brooks, fragrant ferns and ancient trees draped with mosses, bromeliads and orchids. Choose from one of two trails. With luck, you'll spot a quetzal.

Chixoy

Site of Guatemala´s largest dam and hydroelectric plant, capable of supplying all of Guatemala with electricity.

Cahabon River

Enjoy rafting down the river. Portage around the Chulac Falls and continue downstream to the lower gorge. The river flows into a rugged canyon with exciting rapids and calm pools.

Semuc Champey

Six miles south of Lanquín. Natural pools and wild rivers provide a contrast of color and motion.

Coban

Cobán is located in humid mountains of northern Guatemala. Its lush, subtropical cloud forests are perched on top of the watershed dividing the Yucatán Peninsula: the pristine rivers of Alta Verapaz feed into the Chixoy-Usumacinta system (Gulf of Mexico) to the west, and into Lake Izabal-Rio Dulce (Caribbean Sea) to the east. Cobán is the center of Guatemala's gourmet coffee-growing region, and also produces cardamom and allspice for export. Cobán is often called the Imperial City because it was chartered by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (hence the churches in Alta Verapaz exhibit Mayan versions of the Hapsburg double-eagle on their facades).

The Verapaces harbor some of the greatest attractions in Guatemala: Semuc Champey, a place where one river flows over another in a series of natural pools and waterfalls; Lake Lachua, like a little Caribbean sea set down in the tropical rainforest of Alta Verapaz; Candelaria, a cave big enough to build a cathedral inside. There are huge coffee fincas (plantations) and cloud forest where you can see the famous feathered serpent, the Quetzal. It's possible to go trekking, caving, and white water rafting, and see Mayan holy places and ceremonies.