Cuevas de B'ombi'l Pek

LoginSave

A mere 3km north of Chisec, these painted caves remained undiscovered until 2001. They haven't been fully mapped yet, but some claim that they connect to the caves of Parque Nacional Cuevas de Candelaria. The community-run guide office is by the roadside. Pay the entrance fee and the guide will take you on the 3km walk through cornfields to the entrance.

The entire tour takes about four hours. The first, main cavern is the most impressive for its size (reaching 50m in height; you have the choice of rappelling or descending via a slippery 'jungle ladder' to enter), but a secondary cave – just 1m wide – features paintings of monkeys and jaguars. River tubing (Q70) is also possible, starting at the guide office.

Any bus running north (Q3) from Chisec can drop you at the guide office.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Visitors swimming in turquoise-coloured waters of Semuc Champey.

    Semuc Champey

    30 MILES

    Semuc Champey is famed for its great natural limestone bridge, 300m long, on top of which is a stepped series of pools with cool, flowing river water good…

  • Cancuén

    Cancuén

    20.3 MILES

    This large Maya site hit the papers when it was 'discovered' in 2000, even though it had already been 'discovered' back in 1907. Excavations are still…

  • Grutas de Lanquín

    Grutas de Lanquín

    26.78 MILES

    These caves are about 1km northwest of the town, and extend for several kilometers into the earth. There is now a ticket office here. The first cave has…

  • Lagunas de Sepalau

    Lagunas de Sepalau

    5.83 MILES

    Surrounded by pristine forest, these turquoise lagoons are 8km west of Chisec. Developed as a community ecotourism project by local villagers, tours of…

  • Parque Nacional Laguna Lachuá

    Parque Nacional Laguna Lachuá

    26.53 MILES

    This national park is renowned for the perfectly round, pristine turquoise lake (220m deep) for which it was named. Overnight visitors can use the cooking…

  • Orquigonia

    Orquigonia

    28.51 MILES

    Orchid lovers and even the orchid-curious should not miss the wonderfully informative guided tour of this orchid sanctuary just off the highway to Cobán…

  • K'anba Caves

    K'anba Caves

    29.97 MILES

    About a kilometer before Semuc Champey, just before the large bridge crossing the river, you'll see a turnoff to the right for these caves, which many…

  • Templo El Calvario

    Templo El Calvario

    25.44 MILES

    You can get a fine view over the town from this church atop a long flight of stairs at the north end of 7a Av. Indigenous people leave offerings at…

View more attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Lagunas de Sepalau

5.83 MILES

Surrounded by pristine forest, these turquoise lagoons are 8km west of Chisec. Developed as a community ecotourism project by local villagers, tours of…

2. Cancuén

20.3 MILES

This large Maya site hit the papers when it was 'discovered' in 2000, even though it had already been 'discovered' back in 1907. Excavations are still…

3. Templo El Calvario

25.44 MILES

You can get a fine view over the town from this church atop a long flight of stairs at the north end of 7a Av. Indigenous people leave offerings at…

4. Parque Nacional Las Victorias

25.53 MILES

This forested 82-hectare national park, right in town, has ponds, BBQ and picnic areas, children's play areas, a lookout point and kilometers of trails…

5. Ermita de Santo Domingo de Guzmán

25.55 MILES

The Ermita de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, a chapel dedicated to Cobán's patron saint, is 150m west of the bottom of the stairs leading to the Templo El…

6. Mercado Terminal

25.55 MILES

The local market is always good for a wander, even if you're not looking to buy.

8. Parque Nacional Laguna Lachuá

26.53 MILES

This national park is renowned for the perfectly round, pristine turquoise lake (220m deep) for which it was named. Overnight visitors can use the cooking…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "guatemala/alta-baja-verapaz/attractions/cuevas-de-b-ombi-l-pek/a/poi-sig/1330763/1328149",
  "position": "superzone"
}