Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
To reach the caves, take a bus or pickup (Q3, 15 minutes) from San Juan Chamelco to-
wards Chamil and ask the driver to let you off at the turnoff. From there it's about a 1km
walk to the entrance. Alternatively, hire a taxi from Cobán (Q100).
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Lanquín
One of the best excursions to make from Cobán is to the pretty village of Lanquín, 61km
to the east. People come for two reasons: to explore the wonderful cave system just out of
town, and as a jumping-off point for visiting the natural rock pools at Semuc Champey.
The Banrural on Lanquín's main square changes US dollars and traveler's checks, but at
the time of writing did not have an ATM.
Sights
Grutas de Lanquín
(admission Q30; 8am-6pm)
These caves are about 1km northwest of the town, and extend for
several kilometers into the earth. There is now a ticket office here. The first cave has
lights, but do take a powerful flashlight (torch) anyway. You'll also need shoes with good
traction, as inside it's slippery with moisture and bat droppings.
Though the first few hundred meters of the cavern have been equipped with a walkway
and are lit by diesel-powered electric lights, most of this subterranean system is un-
touched. If you are not an experienced spelunker, you shouldn't wander too far into the
caves; the entire extent has yet to be explored, let alone mapped.
As well as featuring funky stalactites, mostly named for animals, these caves are
crammed with bats. Try to time your visit to coincide with sunset, when hundreds of them
fly out of the mouth of the cave in formations so dense they obscure the sky. For a
dazzling display of navigation skills, sit at the entrance while they exit. Please be aware
that bats are extremely light-sensitive and tempting as it may be, flash photography can
disorient and, in some cases, blind them.
The river here gushes from the cave in clean, cool and delicious torrents. You can swim
in the river, which has some comfortably hot pockets close to shore.
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