We are planning a road trip to one of our favorite places soon: Coban, Guatemala (not to be confused with Copan, Honduras -- another favorite spot).
Coban is a great place to visit: mostly an indigenous Mayan population who still retain much of their culture, language(s), and crafts (at good prices too!), some of the best coffee in the world (look up Dieseldorf Kaffee), 100% organic chocolate (no sugar, no nada, added), beautiful scenery -- including cloud forests and dramatic waterfalls...the total list is long! Visit
CobanAV.net - A Traveler's Guide to Cobn and the Verapaces for more info.
The cool high-altitude (4K to over 9K feet!) climate is ideal for the many varieties of naturally occurring orchids which grow there in Las Verapaces (a commonly used reference to both the departments of Baja Verapaz and Alta Verapaz).
And, as if that weren't reason enough to go, the Coban Orchid Exhibit occurs during the first week of December. Featuring orchids presented by enthusiasts from all over Guatemala. Entrance fee is 2 Quetzals (or "Q"...about 30 cents in US$).
Yahoo, Road Trip! Really looking forward to it!
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