For many, the mention of the town of Coban in Alta Verapaz brings to mind striking scenery, misty mountaintops and dramatic cloud forests. Set in a cool, misty valley, Coban is a quiet, laid-back place in which to unwind. The city's population is almost completely indigenous and the Kekchi and Pokom cultures continue to be strong.

The cloud forest surrounding Coban is the setting for the Mario Dary Reserve of the Quetzal. On the winding road leading from town to the reserve, the elevation rises and temperatures are cooler.