Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
There are several tour companies in Cobán operating day and overnight trips to Lanquín
and Semuc Champey. Shuttle-only options are available and are highly recommended
as the best way to get here. From Antigua,
Old Town Outfitters
(tel. 5399-0440,
info@adventureguatemala. com,
www.bikeguatemala.com
) runs a four-day trip to Lan-
quín, Semuc Champey, and the cave of K'an Ba for $295 per person with a two-passenger
minimum, including transport, meals, and accommodations. There are stops in Cobán and
the Quetzal Biotope along the way.
If you're driving, you'll need a 4WD vehicle for the road from El Pajal to Lanquín.
Schedules change frequently so check current schedules. Hourly buses (5 A.M.-5 P.M.)
fromLanquíntoCobáncost$3.75.Therearesixmicrobusesandatleasttwoshuttlesaday
to Cobán.
Northern Alta Verapaz is quickly gaining momentum as the site for a varied assortment of
ecotourism options thanks to the presence of some well-organized community tourism ini-
tiatives and its location along the corridor connecting Alta Verapaz and Petén on a good
paved road. Among the highlights in this neck of the woods are the Candelaria Caves Na-
tional Park,Lagunas deSepalau, Cuevas B'omb'il Pek,andLaguna Lachuá National Park.
It will be interesting to see how this area grows and develops during the next several years
with the ever-increasing presence of international tourism. For now, the scene here is very
low-key,butitwon'tbethatwayforever.GetoutandexplorethispartofGuatemala,where
there are relatively few visitors, while you can.
From the El Pajal Junction, the road winds through the mountainous Alta Verapaz terrain
north to the small village of
Sebol
(about two hours), which is attractively set on the banks
of the Río La Pasión with waterfalls flowing into it. It might make an attractive stopover
someday,thoughthereisnoinfrastructure toaccommodate visitorsasofyet.Heretheroad
branches east to Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, referred to simply as “Fray” or “Las Casas.”
This nondescript town has a few basic accommodations, should you need to stay here. The
best of these are
Hotel Diamelas
($13 d) and
Hotel y Restaurante Bartolo
($8 d).
You'll find the town is fairly spread out, with the plaza and most visitor services on one
end of town and the bus terminal and market on the other, a 10-minute walk away. On or
near the plaza, you'll find a post office, police station, Banrural, and the local town hall
(
municipalidad
). There are at least three ATMs near the town entrance.
