Coban

Once the powerbase of the Rabinal Mayans, in the 19th century the hilly countryside around the small town of Coban was settled by German immigrants who built up vast estates growing both coffee and cardamom.

For the majority of foreign visitors, Coban serves as a stopping off point on the route less-travelled between Antigua, Lake Atitlan etc and the Peten region to the north. It is also a jumping off point for visitors looking to visit Semuc Champey and the Lanquin Caves.

The town itself is not unattractive, with a nice central square and church, although the main tourist attractions in Coban are outside town, namely a beautiful orchid garden and the opportunity to visit a local coffee farm.

For examples of how one can include Coban in a holiday to Guatemala, please refer to two of our sample itineraries, The Road Less Travelled and Complete Guatemala.