For a taste of the Q’eqchi culture head to the town of San Juan Chamelco, 7km from Cobán. Most of the women here still use traditional dress and their beautiful earrings are fashioned from bunches of old coins. There is a local market in town, situated around the church, that sells mostly farm produce. It’s not aimed at tourists but it is an interesting way to get a glimpse of the local way of life.

Around and closeby
In the area around town there are a few attractions such as riding an inner tube down the river and visiting the Grutas de Rey Marcos. A tour guide will take you a little way into the caves and you’ll get to see some weird and wonderful stalactites and stalagmites.