Major city · Guatemala
Cobán
Spend 1‑2 days in Cobán: explore the city, Las Victorias park and take a day‑trip to Semuc Champey (≈2 h each way).
Cobán is a midsize highland town (≈212 k pop, 1,320 m altitude) known for coffee, orchids and nearby nature. The centre is walkable; a night‑or‑two lets you see the market, cathedral and Las Victorias, and reach Semuc Champey or Lanquín on day trips.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- GUA
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cobán110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cobán, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetyCobán is generally safe during the day; exercise usual caution at night and use licensed transport.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122/123 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGUA La Aurora International Airport (Main international gateway; take a Monja Blanca bus from Guatemala City to Cobán, about 4 h.).
- Getting aroundCobán is compact; walk where possible.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)Q10–15
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (≈5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (≈3.1 mi (5 km))Q20
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus/collectivoQ5–10
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personGTQ 80
- Mid-range bedMid‑range double room, a night, per roomGTQ 350
- High-end bedMid‑range double room, a night, per roomGTQ 500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 150 · Mid GTQ 250 · High GTQ 400
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GUA La Aurora International Airport (Main international gateway; take a Monja Blanca bus from Guatemala City to Cobán, about 4 h.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jul (19 rain days), driest Dec (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cobán: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
13 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
14 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
15 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
16 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
18 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
19 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
19 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
17 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
14 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Cobán is compact; walk where possible. Taxis cost about Q20 for ~5 km (use marked taxis). Local buses/collectivos depart from Plaza Magdalena to nearby villages. Rental cars are possible but road conditions can be rough.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Semuc Champey
goDoor to door: ≈5 h total
Private shuttle or tour from Cobán, about 2 h drive each way
Combine with Lanquín caves; book in town or via Casa d'Acuna.
Las Victorias National Park
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Walk or short taxi ride from city centre
Forested oasis with trails, lake and alligator sightings.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Casa d'Acuna
Hostel near Plaza Magdalena, budget rooms, good for backpackers.
Los Faroles Hotel
Mid‑range hotel with friendly service, a short walk from the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q250–400 excl. bed
- High
- Q400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed1 × 1 night × GTQ 120 | GTQ 120 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × GTQ 250 | GTQ 250 |
| Monja Blanca bus Guatemala City → Cobán (round‑trip)1 × GTQ 75 · check | GTQ 75 |
| Taxi within town (5 km)1 × GTQ 20 · check | GTQ 20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 47 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 512 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 512 |
2026 estimate in GTQ; flights and long‑distance shuttles excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | Q10–15 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | Q30–60 |
| Taxi (≈5 km) | Q20 |
| Local bus/collectivo | Q5–10 |
| Entrance to Las Victorias Park | Q5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Sidewalks are uneven; cars have right of way.
- Only use taxis with a licence plate number; unmarked cabs are unsafe.
- Nightclubs have reported safety incidents; stay cautious after dark.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122/123
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CobánCobán
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122/123
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
US consulate in Guatemala City; other embassies also in the capital.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Guatemala City → Cobán, Monja Blanca bus: about Q75 one‑way, ~4 h (check)
- Taxi within Cobán (5 km): about Q20
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis‑kul‑pe)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra‑see‑as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan‑to kwes‑ta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (don‑de es‑ta el ba-nyo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cobán. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night‑by‑night budget calculator (budget/mid/high).
- Link to day‑trip pages for Semuc Champey and Lanquín.
Sources
Ask about Cobán
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