Cobán
Capital of Alta Verapaz, known for coffee and orchids, and a transit hub for trips to Lanquín and Semuc Champey.
Cobán is the capital of Alta Verapaz. In the 19th century, German immigrants established large-scale coffee plantations here and left behind many German-style estates and buildings. Beside the central plaza stands the 16th-century Santo Domingo Cathedral, and nearby the Calvario Church has steps you can climb for a view over the town. On the outskirts, the Orquigonia orchid garden and the Finca Santa Margarita coffee estate let you see orchids and the coffee-making process. Every July and August, the national folk festival Rabin Ajau (the Maya Princess beauty pageant) is held. Cobán is well connected: a bus from Guatemala City takes about 4-5 hours, and a minibus from here to Lanquín takes about 2-3 hours. It is a good place to break the journey with an overnight stay.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Grutas de Lanquín
- Lanquín
- Semuc Champey Pools
- El Mirador de Semuc Champey
- K'an Ba Cave
- Cahabón River Tubing