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Visit Alta Verapaz

Alta Verapaz

By the time of the Spaniards' arrival, the Tezulutlán territory was being occupied by the kekchí, Pocomchí, Achí and other groups. The conquest of this territory was carried out quite peacefully by the Dominican friars, led be Friar Bartolomé de las Casas. During the first colonial years, las verapaces was being run by the Cacique (prince) Don Juan Metalbatz, who managed the province as a governor. Such province also included the modern-day departments of Petén, Belice and part of Izabal, besides the moder-day departments of Alta and Vaja Verapaz.

By the end of the XIX century, both Englishmen and Germans started colonizing the area in order to settle their coffee plantations. Agricultural production grew considerably and an the development of cardamom crops began to be encouraged. In order to ship the coffee produced in the, region, the Germans built the Verapaz Railroad which reached the lakeside of lake Izabal.

Cobán has a very climate. It is cold and there is a dense fog constantly covering the region, which in the turn causes the continuos so-called “chipi chipi”, a kind of constant an fine-misted rain. Cobán, previously know as Tezulutlán has a very steep landscape, with very fertile hills and mountains. Most of the funnels formed by the mountains ranges and gorges have no natural way to displace water, therefore end up erodes the landscape. Given its changing features and different altitudes and has several climates from the hot climate of Panzós to the cold of Tactic.

It's population is of mixed-breeding, eventhough the majority is of Kekchi and Pocomchí origin. Its main economic activity is agriculture, which has adapted to the different altitudes and latitudes, for which abundant coffee, corn, tea, cocoa, paper seed cardamom and other crops are obtained. Besides its rich agricultural value, other activities such as the commercial, industrial and mining industries, especially that of lead and zinc from the Caquipec mines. There are also several oil-digging companies their work in the region.

Cobán has a huge wildlife the lives particularly inside the vast cave system of the area, which makes it an interesting visited by cave explorers. One of the most interesting specimens of the plants that grow in the region is the Monja Blanca, the national flower. Additionally, its forests severe as a natural habitat for the Quetzal bird.

Alta Verapaz is a mountainous territory but with no high elevations. It is located at the center of the national territory. The department of Alta Verapaz is an unequalled destination of birdwatchers.

Places to visit in Alta Verapaz:

City of Coban
For information regarding the city of Cobán click here.

Lanquin Caves National Park
These caves are some of the most known caves in the Republic of Guatemala. They formed a magnificent net of galleries and holes, which exhibit a large part of their enigmatic beautifulness. At the entrance, there is the start of the Lanquin River that after running for 12 kilometers mixes with the Cahabon River.

The Cahabon River
Guatemala is a mountainous national with an abundance of river and stream resources. So it should come as no surprise that rafting has taken off in recent years. Guatemala’s clear blue rapids range from Class II to Class V and in spite of Guatemala’s dry season running from December to May, there’s almost always a river open for rafting or kayaking. Not only are the drops spectacular but especially on the Caribbean side rafters are likely to encounter monkeys, toucans, and parrots as they twist and turn their way down to sea level. It is becoming popular to combine biking with rafting tours and a recent British group celebrated in the Pacific crossing in ten days. Cahabon River is an ideal place to practice rafting and kayaking all year long and is surrounded of beautiful landscapes and places for camping, observe and explore nature or just for meditation.

Lachua Lagoon National Park
It has a length of approximately 4 kms²of surface. It is located at a very warm valley between the Icbolay and Chixoy Rivers, and the Peyan and Nueve Cerros Mountains. It is a place surrounded by forests and wild fauna, in a tropical-raining environment.

Las Victorias National Park
It is one of the most attractive and visited places in the department. It has an extension of 84 hectares and is an excellent resource for ecotourism, natural recreation, research and education. It is located inside the city perimeter in the city of Coban.

Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve
It is located on the southeast side of the department and it reaches up to the Mululja, La Cucaracha and Raxon Mountains at the Sierra de las Minas Mountain Chain. It is a very beautiful place but accessibility is difficult. It is an ideal place for mountain climbing.

Candelaria Caves and River
It is an extraordinary tourist place where a very big cave eats a river. The stream reaches a length of 19 kilometers before becoming a subterranean river. Nature exploration is one of the most rewarding things of this visit.

Semuc Champey
The Cahabon River immerses in this place into a big cave and after approximately 300 meters it flows again, but more quiet. Over the formed tunnel, water created a series of emerald swimming places. A very accessible place to walk and enjoy.

El Pozo Vivo
It is located on the Southern part of the municipium of Tactic, a water renascence with an extremely low stream. It has a diameter of approximately 18 meters. Because of the soil’s conditions, the most even soft step around the site makes the waters to move.

Las Islas Swimming Place
It is located 4 kms. From San Pedro Carcha, and it has an emerald stream and is an ideal frame to receive visitors. There are ranchos (houses made of palms), broilers, and many places to swim.

Local fairs
Coban, August 4; Cahabon, September 6; Chahal, August 28; Chisec, June 29; Fray Bartolome de las Casas, September 30; Lanquin, August 26; Panzos, August 30; San Cristobal Verapaz, May 3; San Pedro Carcha, June 24; San Juan Chamelco, June 24; Santa Cruz Verapaz, May 3; Senahu, June 13; Tactic, August 15; Tamahu, January 25; Tucuru, May 8.

Map of Alta Verapaz Department - Coban

View Alta Verapaz Department - Coban in a larger map

Guatemala Departments:

Picture Gallery

A collection of pictures taken around Guatemala. Click here