Visiting Alta Verapaz: The Top 3 Destinations in Alta Verapaz

Photo by @tuqtuquilal

Calling all nature and adventure enthusiasts! Come and experience Alta Verapaz. Situated in central northern Guatemala, this beautiful part of the country is home to exceptional wildlife and pristine nature with a cooler climate and tropical ecosystems. You’ll find unique cuisine, natural landscapes, and a touch of magic.

Whether you’d like an action-packed itinerary, off-the-beaten-path excursions, or a little rest and recovery, it’s all possible here. Alta Verapaz has a little something for every type of traveler. Experience traditional culture, explore the area’s natural attractions, get in touch with Mother Nature, or unwind a bit.  

Explore Semuc Champey’s pools, Coban’s biosphere, Lanquin’s Caves, and cloud forests. Take a workshop or participate in a coffee tour. Get up close and personal with Indigenous communities through cultural experiences and traditional festivals. This hidden gem is waiting to be discovered and we’ve created a guide to help you plan the perfect trip! 

The 3 Must-See Destinations in Alta Verapaz

Uncover a part of Guatemala with fewer tourists, authentic attractions, and incredible natural beauty. Join us in this Naturally Smart Travel blog post as we highlight our top 3 destinations in Alta Verapaz.

Yes, you can rent a car and explore the area on your own. However, if you’re looking for a laid-back way to experience the area, book a tour! This way you can sit back, relax, and enjoy Alta Verapaz with a comfortable guided experience. 

Photo by Zdeněk Macháček on Unsplash

# 1 Cobán

First on our list is Cobán, a hidden gem that’s rapidly growing and changing. Here, you’ll find lush landscapes encouraging you to get up close and personal with nature, as well as experiencing this area's rich cultural heritage.

How about a hike in a cloud forest?! This area’s high altitude and climate are ideal for orchids, and the country’s flower, the Monja Blanca. And, keep your eyes peeled for the Resplendent Quetzal, the vibrant bird depicted on Guatemala’s flag. 

Aside from the natural attractions, visitors can also spend some time getting to know the city and shop for handmade textiles and handicrafts in the local craft markets. Go for a stroll in Parque Las Victorias or check out the Museo El Principe Maya.

Make sure to spend some time in the botanical garden, Orquigonia, dedicated to native orchids. Opt for a guided tour of the nursery and learn about various orchid and plant species. There are over 25,000 orchid species here with about 12,000 grown onsite. Did you know that it takes 10 years for orchids to be ready for market?! And, that orchids never die?! Not only are they beautiful but they’re fascinating too.

Cobán boasts tasty local cuisine. While here, you must try some of the famous foods like the 7 soups and the spicy cobanero pepper.  Enjoy a bowl of Kak’ik, a rich and spicy turkey soup, or some Chuchitos, tamales stuffed with meat & tomato sauce. And, the hearty meat stew, Suban-ik. To learn more about Guatemala’s delightful cuisine make sure you check out this article!

Cobán is also a great home base from which you can explore the Alta and Baja Verapaz, Semuc Champey, and Lachuá National Park. It’s about a 5-hour drive from Guatemala City and 5.5 hours from Antigua.

#2  Lanquín

Lanquín is a truly unique place in Guatemala. It’s an upcoming tourist destination in an old-school traditional farming mountain town vibes. It’s a smaller community with only a handful of restaurants. However, this farming town is changing due to the increase in tourism. 

Somewhat in a valley, it’s incredibly lush and a beautiful place to embrace some downtime, spend an afternoon by the river, and listen to nature. There are a number of hostels and lodgings along the river.

Outdoor adventurers will love the Lanquín Caves, (Grutas de Lanquín). Take a guided tour and explore the hidden chambers and underground rivers. If caves aren’t your thing, there’s also plenty of hiking, mountain biking, and river tubing. 

While here, make sure to check out Tuqtuquilal. This regenerative center is on a mission and helping the area’s community through development, education, Agroecology, and ecotourism. Their efforts include an emphasis on building back up the community postcolonialism and boosting the people’s confidence while reconnecting them with their spirituality and Indigenous foods.

Tuqtuquilal offers sustainable accommodations, volunteer opportunities, cacao tours and workshops. They also produce and sell artisanal products such as pure cacao and spices.

There’s one road arriving into Lanquín, coming from the west, directly from Cobán it’s well-paved, beautiful, and comfortable. On the other side, the road cuts through the town and goes east. This side is a dirt road, carved by the waters from the rainy season, and it’s a rougher road to travel but it’s a beautiful journey.

This rustic smaller town is a popular stop for those traveling to Semuc Champey. Lanquín’s surrounding areas boast cloud forests, natural wonders, and coffee plantations. It’s a growing hub for ecotourism and a must-see stop in Alta Verapaz!

#3 Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey means “Where the River Hides Under the Earth” in Mayan. This natural wonder features a natural limestone bridge under which the Cahabón River flows. There’s a series of crystal-clear turquoise pools cascading over natural limestone rocks that are perfect for swimming, river tubing, and relaxation. 

It’s a popular tourist destination and draws visitors from around the globe. Surrounded by lush tropical forest it’s a great area for bird watching and hiking. There’s breathtaking nature beauty and thrilling adventures.  

Considered sacred to the ancient Mayans, the remote and enchanting Semuc Champey is a must-see destination in Alta Verapaz. The park is a haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts with a diverse range of flora and fauna from vibrant orchids to colorful birds. 

The area surrounding Semuc Champey was once inhabited by the ancient Mayan civilization, who left behind Mayan ruins, such as the nearby K'anba Cave. Here, you can go on a thrilling cave exploration and discover the underground world as you navigate winding tunnels and rock formations. 

The surrounding Q'eqchi Maya communities offer visitors a unique chance for cultural exchange. Learn about this community's traditions, support the local businesses, and contribute to the area’s sustainable development. It’ll be a trip you’ll remember forever!

Thanks for Reading Our Guide to the Top 3 Must-See Places in Alta Verapaz

We hope this guide inspires your wanderlust and motivates you to visit beautiful Alta Verapaz! 

Over here, at Naturally Smart Travel, we’re all about curating culturally-immersive private and group tours. As a reputable eco-tour company, it’s our mission to support the local community and care for the environment with sustainable travel methods.  

When you book a tour with us, we make things hassle-free, take care of all the coordination details, provide private transportation, and offer local bilingual tour guides. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, we’d love to chat!

We hope to see you in Alta Verapaz!