Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
can hire a boat (Q200 to Q350 for one to 16 people, round trip) to the site. You can also
hire a guide (Q50 to Q150, depending on group size) to take you on the 4km walk to the
site from La Unión, but in the rainy season this will be a very muddy affair. If walking or
going by
lancha
(small motorboat)
,
pay at the small store where the bus stops - the boat
dock is an easy 1km walk from there. Pay your entrance fee at the site when you arrive.
The last pickup leaves La Unión for Raxruhá at 3pm.
Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas
POP 9200
This town, often referred to simply as Fray, is a way station on the backdoor route
between the Cobán/Lanquín area and Poptún on the Río Dulce-Flores highway (Hwy 13).
This route is dotted with traditional Maya villages where only the patriarchs speak Span-
ish, and then only a little. This is a great opportunity for getting off the 'gringo trail' and
into the heart of Guatemala.
Fray is substantial considering it's in the middle of nowhere, but don't let its size fool
you. This is a place where the weekly soccer game is the biggest deal in town, chickens
languish in the streets and siesta is taken seriously.
The town itself is fairly spread out, with the plaza and most tourist facilities at one end
and the market and bus terminus at the other. Walking between the two takes about 10
minutes. Coming from Cobán, you'll want to hop off at the central plaza.
The post office and police station are just off the plaza. Nearby, Banrural changes US
dollars and traveler's checks and has an ATM. The
municipalidad
(town hall) is on the
plaza.
Hotel La Cabaña
( 7952-0352; 2a Calle 1-92, Zona 3; r per person with/without bathroom Q50/40)
has the
best accommodation in town. Eating options are limited here - try Comedor Jireh and
Restaurante Doris on the main street. Otherwise, grab a steak (with tortillas and beans,
Q15) at the informal barbecue shacks that open up along the main street at night.
At least two daily buses departs from the plaza for Poptún (Q35, five hours). Buses for
Cobán leave hourly between 4am and 4pm. Some go via Chisec (Q40, 3½ hours). Others
take the slower route via San Pedro Carchá.
