Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
at
El Bistrot Frances
(Km 318; mains Q60-100, s/d from Q150/235; 7am-8pm)
offers decent variety and
the daily special is always worth investigating. They also have extremely comfortable
rooms and bungalows. Any bus heading to Chisec can drop you here.
Pickups and the occasional bus for La Union (to access Cancuén; Q10, one hour) leave
from the stop one block uphill. There are at least five scheduled departures daily to both
Sayaxché (Q30, 2½ hours) and Cobán (Q30, two hours) from Raxruhá.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around Raxruhá
Parque Nacional Cuevas de Candelaria
Just west of Raxruhá, this 22km-long cave system, dug out by the subterranean Río Can-
delaria, boasts some monstrous proportions - the main chamber is 30m high, 200m wide
and has stalagmites measuring up to 30m in length. Natural apertures in the roof allow
sunlight in, creating magical, eerie reflections.
The caves were used by the Q'eqchi' Maya and you'll see some platforms and ladders
carved into the stone. Community-run operations offer tours into the various entrances to
the cave complex. You can walk, tube and spelunk the entire underground passage in
about two days, but must do so with a guide. Prices depend on group size, but will prob-
ably average around Q2000 per person, not including food. Contact any of the organiza-
tions listed here or Maya Expeditions (
Click here
)
for details. The following are listed
from north to south.
Located behind - and forming part of - the Complejo Cultural de Candelaria, the
El Mico
(
www.cuevasdecandelaria.com
;
Km 316.5; tubing/walking tour Q40/75; 9am-5pm)
complex is is probably
the most easily accessible and spectacular of the various cave tours. From the highway,
look for the sign for the
Complejo Cultural de Candelaria
( 4035-0566;
www.cuevasdecandelaria.com
;
Km 316.5; s/d from Q300/400)
, which offers supremely comfortable accommodation in stylishly
decorated cabins. Excellent French-influenced meals are included in the rates. Some
slightly cheaper cabins with shared bathrooms may be available.
A couple of kilometers west on the same highway is the turnoff to
Comunidad Mucbilha'
(Km 315; tubing or walking tour Q75;
8am-4pm)
. From the highway it's 2km along a dirt road to
