|
San Pedro Carchá
 A few kilometres from Cobán, SAN PEDRO CARCHÁ is a smaller version of Cobán, with silver instead of coffee firing the economy and a stronger Maya character. These days the two towns are merging into a single urban sprawl, and many of the buses that go on towards Petén, or even over to Uspantán, leave from Carchá. Local buses between Cobán and Carchá leave from the terminal in Cobán and from the plaza in Carchá.
If you've an hour to spare, the regional museum (Mon-Fri 9am-noon & 2-5pm; US$0.75), in a street beside the church, is worth a look. Alongside a collection of Maya artefacts are dolls dressed in local costumes and a mouldy collection of stuffed birds and animals, including the inevitable moulting quetzal. A little further afield, the Balneario Las Islas is a stretch of cool water that's popular for swimming; you can also camp there. It's a couple of kilometres from the town centre: walk along the main street beside the church and take the third turning on the right, then follow the street for about 1km and take the right-hand fork at the end.
If you're planning a speedy departure then you might prefer to stay in Carchá - the Hotel la Reforma , 4 C 8-45 (tel 952 1448; US$5-10), is a good option. For changing money there's a branch of the Banco del Ejército on the plaza. Buses to local destinations such as Senahú, El Estor, Lanquín and Cahabón leave from the plaza. Two buses a day (10am & noon) leave from beside the bomberos to Uspantán in the western highlands, for connections to Sacapulas, Nebaj and Quiché.
|
