Things to do in Coban, Guatemala

Coban was the first area we went to immediately after arriving in Guatemala. We choose to come here first because it’s an amazing area with cloud forests, caves and rivers. But, mainly because we made it our base to explore Semuc Champey, one of the most popular things to do in Coban Guatemala.

For a full Coban, Guatemala travel guide, read my article here. This will help you plan your stay or trip here super easily.

Coban is quieter than most other parts of the country and has a rural vibe that isn’t tainted by so much tourism. There’s far more to do here than just Semuc Champey. There are waterfalls and caves. Coban also has a really healthy coffee scene up in these mountains. It’s the best coffee I’ve ever had and I’m not a coffee person. I recommend coming to Coban if you want to experience the hughlands of Guatemala and the natural beauty of this country, along with visiting Semuc Champey.

There are so many incredible things to do in Cobán that go far beyond just using it as a base for Semuc Champey. You can explore the deep limestone caverns of Lanquín, tasting some of the world’s best high-altitude coffee and wandering through rare orchid sanctuaries. This is one of the best regions if you want to experience more nature in Guatemala.

If you’re visiting Semuc Champey I wrote an article on where to stay in Coban Guatemala.

Exploring Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey is the most popular attraction near to Coban and one of the most popular in the whole of Guatemala. It is a series of turquoise limestone pools that sit above an underground river surrounded by jungle. The pools cascade down the hillside, forming natural swimming holes that look like large steps with clear water and smooth rock ledges where people can sit and relax.

You can look at my Guatemala itinerary for a full guide on things to do in Guatemala including Semuc Champey.

Getting to Semuc Champey from Coban takes around two and a half hours by road. You have to pass through the town of Lanquin before continuing down a steep dirt road to the site. The journey can be rough, especially in the rainy season, but the scenery makes up for it. The final stretch is often done by local pickup trucks that shuttle visitors down to the entrance. Most travelers visiting Semuc Champeybook a day tour or stay overnight in Lanquin to visit early the next morning when it’s less crowded.

If you visiting Semuc Champey from the city, I have an article on how to get from Guatemala City to Semuc Champey. This should make your trip a breeze.

Once at the site, you can swim in the pools, hike to the El Mirador viewpoint, and walk along trails through the jungle. The hike to El Mirador takes about 30–40 minutes uphill and there is an amazing view. From above, you can see the limestone bridge and the vivid green-blue pools glowing between the trees. After hiking, you can cool off by swimming in the lower pools where the water is calm and clear.

Best time to visit Semuc Champey

Arriving before 8 am is very important because you want to avoid all the crowds from the Antigua and Guatemala City tour buses that arrive around noon. It costs $6.50 USD to enter.

You can only swim in specific swimming areas here because there is a strong current made by the strong flow of the river. The main pools are good to swim in and usually guides will show you exactly where to swim. There is also a visitors facility with stalls with food and drinks and an area with restrooms.

People usually do Semuc Champey along withthe Lanquin caves. The caves are located outside the town of Lanquin and you get to see the chambers filled with stalacites and stalagmites. Definitely do these when thinking about what to do in Coban.

Semuc Champey Tours from Coban

Several local operators in Coban organize day trips and multi-day tours to Semuc Champey. These tours include transport, guides, and sometimes meals. In the descriptions online they will say exactly what they offer. You could visit on your own, but, tours make the trip more comfortable and ensure you have a reliable vehicle for the rough road near Lanquin.

1. Coban Travels – One of the more established agencies in the area, Coban Travels offers daily tours to Semuc Champey that include pickup from your hotel in Coban, transport, entrance fees, and a guided visit to both Semuc Champey and Lanquin Caves.

2. Lanquin Adventures – This operator runs tours from Coban to Lanquin and Semuc Champey with local guides who explain the geology and ecology of the area. They focus on small group tours.

3. ADRENALTUR – Known for adventure travel around Alta Verapaz, ADRENALTUR offers tours that combine Semuc Champey with caving, tubing on the Cahabón River, and hiking.

4. Coban Tours & Travel – This agency offers private and group trips to Semuc Champey and other nearby natural attractions. They’re a good choice if you prefer a customized itinerary.

5. Guatemala Tours Alta Verapaz – Based in Coban, they specialize in multi-day packages that include Semuc Champey, Lanquin Caves, and other regional attractions.

Each of these tours can be arranged in Coban either through your hotel or directly with the agency’s office in town. If you prefer more flexibility, you can also take a local shuttle to Lanquin, stay overnight, and visit Semuc Champey on your own the following morning.

Visiting the Lanquin Caves

Lanquin is the closest base town to stay in before going to Semuc Champey. Lanquin also has it’s own things to do like the Lanquin caves. These are really cool networks of limestone caverns that go very deep underground and some parts are submerged in water. The main entrance is often visited because it’s well lit and easy to get to without navigating all throughout the cave’s more inner parts.

The local Maya community think that the caves here are sacred and is important to them. You can also come here very late in the afternoon to see the bat show that happens around sunset. Thousands of bats fly out of the cave entrance all at once and filling the sky with a steady stream of black creatures zooming by. It’s really one of the most amazing things to do in Guatemala.

You could get to Lanquin by a shuttle from Coban. It would take about 2 hours, but most people also see Semuc Champey at the same time because that makes the most sense.

Coffee Plantations Around Coban

Coban is one of the main coffee growing areas in Guatemala. The high altitude, cold temperatures and plenty of rain creates a wonderful environment for producing high quality Arabica coffee. If you’re a coffee lover, visiting a plantation is one of the most interesting things to do in Coban Guatemala. Most of the large coffee farms offer guided tours that explain the entire coffee making process. from a bean to an actual cup. You also get to taste several drinks of coffee.

Finca Santa margarita is one of the best plantations in the region that’s open to visitors. The tour covers the coffee fields, processing areas, and roasting facilities, and ends with a tasting session. This is a great way to learn about the most famous export in Guatemala and understand how it affects the local economy.

Orquigonia Orchid Sancturary and Eco Parks

The Orquigonia orchid sanctuary, located just outside Coban, is another one of the best things to do in Coban, Guatemala. There are over 700 orchid species in this botanical garden and all are native to the region. There are also very rare and mini varieties. Coban has a cold and misty climate so it’s ideal for growing orchids and many of them bloom all year. The garden is part of the local orchid conservation effort and offers guided tours that explain how these plants are grown and protected.

When you book a tour here it comes with a guided tour, magnifying glass, and insect repellent. It’ll probably take about 2 hours to fully explore at a regular pace. There’s also a gift shop here to.

For travelers who enjoy nature walks, several eco-parks and reserves surround Coban. The Chicoj Nature Park, located just outside the city, combines coffee cultivation with forest conservation. Visitors can hike through the forest, visit coffee plots, and see the good views of the mountains. The park also has a small lake and a canopy zipline for people like us who love some more adventure travel action.

Ram Tzul Nature Reserve and Waterfall

Ram Tzul is one of the most scenic places near Coban. It’s located about an hour away on the road toward Biotopo del Quetzal, it’s a private nature reserve with hiking trails, waterfalls, and dense cloud forest. The main thing to visit and see here is the 60-meter waterfall that drops into a deep gorge surrounded by moss-covered cliffs. The reserve also has a restaurant and lodge for visitors who want to stay overnight.

Hiking through Ram Tzul is peaceful. There are trails that wind through thick vegetation and over small bridges. It’s also a good place for birdwatching, as the region is home to many endemic species. Local guides are available to lead hikes and explain the flora and fauna.

El Calvario Hill Viewpoint

In the town of Coban, El Calvario Hill is the best spot to get a god view of the entre city and everything around it. The climb up is short but steep, leading to a small church at the top and a wide view over Coban’s red roofs and the surrounding hills. It’s a quiet place, often visited in the late afternoon or early evening when the light softens over the valley.

Getting around Coban

When I traveled from Guatemala City to Coban it took about 3 hours and there wee lots of construction being donw on the roads. It shouldn’t be like that for everybody, but I recommend having someone else do the driving when in Guatemala. I find it difficult to navigate around, especially in the city. That’s coming from someone who strictly rent’s cars everywhere I go.

Once in town, most attractions nearby require either a local guide or organized tour due to the remote terrain. Shuttles and pickup trucks operate between Coban, Lanquin, and Semuc Champey daily. Tour agencies and hotels can arrange private transport if you prefer more comfort.

The town itself is walkable, with a small market, central park, and a few colonial-style buildings. I always say the best way to immersive yourself and to see somewhere is to simply start walking. It’s a good place to spend a quiet evening after a day exploring the surrounding nature.