Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
alternating between packed gravel and a tortuous exposed-boulder surface, but the trip is
fascinating. Bad weather can extend the travel time by two or three hours. Ask around to
see what conditions are like before committing to this trip.
Yalambojoch & Laguna Brava
In a lower-lying, more lushly vegetated zone between the Cuchumatanes and the Mexican
border, the northwest corner of Huehuetenango department has a distinctive culture where
the Awakateco language is spoken. About 20km east of the border post at Gracias a Dios
is the hamlet of Yalambojoch. Most of the inhabitants fled during the conflict of the
1980s, and have only recently returned to pick up the pieces of their lives. A European
NGO has provided funding to resettle the community, constructing wells, houses, a school
and a cultural center (per@cnl.nu) , and ecotourism is being developed in the area.
One of the chief attractions for visitors is the Laguna Brava (also known as Laguna Yolna-
jab), 6.5km to the north, an extension of Mexico's Lagunas de Montebello. There's good
swimming in the crystalline waters of the lagoon, reached by a two-hour descent on foot
or horseback from Yalambojoch (best attempted from March to June). There's a Q25 entry
fee to the lagoon, and guides charge Q75 to take you down, plus Q75 per day for horses.
East of Yalambojoch, a series of surprisingly intact Maya pyramids dating from the 10th
century stand near the site of what used to be the village of San Francisco, the site of one
of the civil war's most atrocious massacres, part of Rios Montt's scorched earth campaign.
Some visitors come here to experience rural life in a Chuj community, and volunteer
opportunities are available teaching at the cultural center or working on reforestation pro-
jects.
Accommodations at Yalambojoch include a few comfortable cabins and a large but
well-maintained dorm (Q50 per person). Guests have access to a well-equipped kitchen or
can get meals at a pair of comedores for about Q20.
Buses by La Chiantlequita (Q30, six hours) depart for Yalambojoch from Huehueten-
ango at 4:45am and 1pm, returning at 4:45am and 9:30am. There is also transport from
San Mateo Ixtatán.
West of Yalambojoch toward the border post at Gracias a Dios, is the Finca La Trinidad
junction, where a paved road leads south to the Interamericana. Approximately 5km south
of the Finca La Trinidad junction is the turnoff for Posada Rural Finca Chaculá ( 5205-9328;
www.unicornioazul.com ; s/d/tr incl breakfast QQ270/420/525) , a community-tourism project started by
 
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