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Your Guide to All the Best of Guatemala

Las Verapaces area

In this guide, the Verapaces Area includes the provinces of Alta Verapaz and Baja Verapaz. The most peculiar feature of this region is his climate. It is fresh, but not as cold as the Western Highlands. His flora richness and the green of his mountains has no rival in Guatemala. There are also many natural attractions in the area, like rivers, caves and humid forest to make this site the paradise of a lover of the natural wonders. The city of Coban was founded in 1543 by the spaniard dominic order and today it is center of several ethnical festivals.

Mountains

This area is crossed by the Mountains of Chama, the Mountains of Chuacus and the Las Minas Mountains where some peaks raise to 3800 masl.

Ecological

Las Verapaces is an area of great ecological importance. His countless mountains and hills covered with whispering forest of conifer in the center and north, the humid forest and swamps in the Polochic River area and the many caves in his karstic soil made of the Las Verapaces an ecological treasure and a shelter to many endangered species.

A few areas have been formally stated as ecological refugees, among these we have:

Lachua National Park
Located at the north-west of the Province of Alta Verapaz. It is a reserve of great ecological value. In an area of 10,000 hectares it provide refuge to several endangered species. The Lachua Lagoon is the main attraction of the Park. It has an area of 5 square kilometres and is 200 metres deep.
To reach here take to Atlantic Highway, cross in El Rancho to the City of Coban, then take to road to Chisec. The entrance at the park is in the Village of San Marcos, at 410 kilometres of Guatemala City. Other alternative is to hire a flight to Playa Grande, in the Province of El Quiche.

More:
Proyecto Conservación del Parque Laguna Lachuá
Biotope for Conservation of the Quetzal, Purulha, Baja Verapaz

Biotopo del Quetzal, near Coban, Guatemala

Other Attractions

Semuc Champey, Lanquin, Alta Verapaz
This natural beauty consist in a group of potholes and little waterfalls in the Cahabon River, as it passes trough the calcareous soil of the area. The water shows a tonality that goes from a beautiful emerald green to exquisite turquoise blue.
To reach here, from the City of Coban, take the road to the village of Lanquin (non-paved but in good shape), and then follow 8 kilometres of non-paved road to Semuc Champey.
Tourist operators make regular trips to Semuc Champey in helicopter from Guatemala City.

More:
Lankin Caves, A breath-taking group of kartisc caves, near the village of Lankin. Archeological vestiges have been found here.
To reach here, from the City of Coban, take the non-paved road to the village of Lanquin.

Main Cities and Villages:

Province of Alta Verapaz:

Coban

More:
- Coban, Guatemala’s eco-tourism destination
- Coban
- Guatemala - Coban & Semuc Champey
- Coban Travelog
- San Pedro Carcha
Province of Baja Verapaz:
- Salama
Indian villages

The Verapaces are, together with the western highlands, the regions with the most high level of indian population in the country. Some indian villages you could wish to visit are the following:
- Tactic, Alta Verapaz
- San Cristobal Verapaz, Alta Verapaz
- Senahu, Alta Verapaz
- Tucuru, Alta Verapaz
- Rabinal, Baja Verapaz
- Cubulco, Baja Verapaz
- San Jeronimo, Baja Verapaz

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