Cantabál lies just west of the Río Negro. The town is also referred to as Ixcán and Playa Grande. It’s quite a rough settlement with some very unattractive architecture but there are a few adequate hotels should you find yourself spending the night here.

Around and closeby
While you’re here you could hike the 4km to the beautiful, round lake in the Parque Nacional Laguna Lachua. It’s a very hot, dry walk so make sure you take plenty of water and wear a good sun block. Once you reach it you can cool off with a dip in the clear blue waters of the lake. You are allowed to camp here or if you prefer there is a shelter where you can stay on bunk beds.

Getting there
It’s not that easy to reach Cantabál as it is quite a long way from other towns. There are a couple of scheduled pick-ups from Cobán every day. If you are in Chisec then ask around because, although there’s no schedule, some pick-ups do travel to Cantabál every day.