Cobán lays in the heart of the rain-soaked mountains, which makes it the best place to grow coffee in all of Guatemala. Cobán mountains are laden with orchids, the rare Monja Blanca orchid is the departmental symbol. Many regulations protect the orchids but much like the trade in illegally harvested timber, the market is full of illicit orchids. These mountains also contain several of Guatemala's national parks and abundant caves and waterfalls. As a result many travellers visit Cobán to arrange eco-tourism adventures.

Sightseeing
Each year at the end of July a festival of Guatemala's native people is held here, La Fiesta Nacional Indígena de Guatemala. The festivities include a beauty contest for Guatemala's Native American women, the winner of which is crowned with the title "Rabin Ahau", which means "the Daughter of the King" in Q'eqchi'. Popular tourist spots in the city of Cobán include the El Calvario Church, the Dusseldorf coffee plantation, the Principe Maya archaeological museum, and Cobán's central plaza.

Getting there
There are buses every 30 minutes between Guatemala City and the Cobán terminal.