Alta Verapaz is one of the departments with the greatest natural wealth in all of Guatemala. A prime example of this is Hun Nal Ye Park, a place of beautiful pools and cenotes surrounded by lush vegetation that attracts lovers of water-based adventures and hiking year after year.
Swimming in crystal-clear waters, kayaking, diving… There are plenty of things you can do at Hun Nal Ye to explore the area. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to enjoy this beautiful natural setting.
What is Hun Nal Ye and why is it worth visiting?
Hun Nal Ye is an ecological park renowned for its cenotes and pools of crystal-clear water, which you can explore via the various marked trails; these trails also lead deep into the jungle, allowing visitors to discover the local flora and fauna.
But, apart from all the nature and adventure experiences Hun Nal Ye has to offer (which we’ll discuss later), it's also a place with a rich historical heritage. The park was once a place of pilgrimage visited by Mayan tribes, and many visitors say they can still sense an air of mysticism as they walk along its trails.
Hun Nal Ye means ‘The House of the Moon God’, and if you’re interested in learning more about its history, I’d encourage you to visit the small museum inside the park.
- We invite you to read our article about the Candelaria Caves.
The crystal-clear pools and cenotes you simply mustn’t miss
Although there are many activities to enjoy at Hun Nal Ye, the natural pools and cenotes are the park’s main attraction. That is what makes it such a special place.
The cenote known as the Místico is the only one in the park. It was once a sacred site for the Maya, but for safety reasons swimming is not permitted, as the current is very strong. However, you can easily visit it via the footpaths.
At Hun Nal Ye, there are numerous pools and lagoons, most of which are perfect for a swim, where you can enjoy the clean, refreshing water. The main pool, known as the Poza de la Garrucha, is the largest and deepest of them all. What visitors enjoy most is the rope or zip line that has been installed, which you can use to jump into the water and have fun splashing about.
There are also several natural pools where you can swim in peace in crystal-clear, calm waters. Finally, there are artificial pools near the restaurant area and the accommodation zone. These are ideal for families with children looking for a flatter, safer area for the little ones.
- This page about Las Verapaces Nature Reserve may interest you.
Activities and experiences at Hun Nal Ye
- Forest trails and walks: Hun Nal Ye Park boasts a network of well-signposted trails that wind through the area’s dense vegetation. The walks are of low to medium difficulty, making them suitable for everyone. Furthermore, some of the trails are ideal for birdwatching, whilst on others you can see centuries-old trees and discover the local flowers.
- Horse riding: Guided horse riding tours are available, taking you along exclusive trails and through open areas of the reserve. You’ll get to enjoy these beautiful animals and a much more jungle-like and wild environment than you would on foot.
- Tubing: This involves sitting on an inflatable tube whilst the river current carries you along. It’s one of the most fun experiences in the park; it combines more relaxed sections with faster ones that will get your adrenaline pumping, but it’s safe at all times.
- Boat trip: The park’s river widens in several places, turning into a calm and pleasant stretch of water. These are the perfect spots to hop into small boats or dinghies and paddle aimlessly whilst enjoying the crystal-clear waters.
- Zip line: This is one of the park’s most popular activities. It’s a sort of short zip line that runs over the main pool. The fun part is that you have to let go and plunge into the water from a height, enjoying the splash like a child.
- Canopy: This is the classic zip line that lets you glide along a cable through the treetops. The views are spectacular.
- Recreational fishing: Hun Nal Ye has dedicated ponds teeming with fish, making them ideal for recreational fishing. If you’d like to give it a go, the park will provide you with all the necessary equipment.
- We invite you to read our article about Antigua Guatemala at night.
Practical tips for your visit
The best way to enjoy Hun Nal Ye is to set aside a day or two of your trip to Guatemala for it.
Best time to visit (dry season)
November to April (the dry season) is the best time to visit Hun Nal Ye and Guatemala in general, as the rains during the wet season can make it very difficult to reach various parts of the park and can make activities less safe and less enjoyable.
Opening hours and admission prices
Unlike other nature reserves, you must book in advance to enter Hun Nal Ye, as it is a protected area where visitor numbers are strictly limited to ensure the highest possible safety standards and to preserve the environment.
If you’re travelling independently, you’ll need to make this booking yourself by contacting the park directly. The rates at the time of publication of this article are as follows:
- 100Q per person aged 3 or over (admission only).
- 150Q per person (entry + camping).
- 450Q per person (single room with private bathroom + admission).
- 650Q (double room with en-suite bathroom + admission).
- 800Q (triple room with en-suite bathroom + admission).
- Children aged 3 to 11 pay 250Q per night.
There are also activities that incur an additional charge, and the site is open from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, Wednesday to Sunday. As for getting to Hun Nal Ye, hiring a tourist vehicle in Guatemala is not usually recommended. Although it offers complete freedom, the roads and signage are not usually in the best condition, making driving difficult. Furthermore, there are no good public transport links to Hun Nal Ye, meaning you would have to change vehicles several times.
Alternatively, there are organised tours that usually depart from Cobán and allow you to enjoy a much more relaxed experience where you won’t have to worry about the logistics. These tours typically include return transport, park entry fees and a guide in the price. There are various options available, featuring different activities, as well as the possibility of staying overnight in the park.
As travelling independently from Cobán to Hun Nal Ye Park can often be tricky, we recommend booking an organised tour to explore the area.
- This page about Guatemala's natural wonders may interest you.
Where to stay and how to plan your trip?
Hun Nal Ye offers both accommodation and places to eat. The accommodation isn’t resort-style nor does it offer great luxury; rather, it consists of modest hotels, but with all the basics you need to relax. The same goes for the places to eat; don’t expect a wide variety of options; they usually serve local dishes.
The great thing about staying inside the park is that you can wake up surrounded by nature to the sound of birdsong and enjoy the peace and quiet of the surroundings before the outside visitors arrive.
There are also camping areas available, so you can bring your own tent and sleep in the park under the stars. But if you only want to spend a day in the park, or if all the accommodation in the park happens to be fully booked, it’s best to stay in Cobán. It's a well-equipped town that is often used as a base for exploring Hun Nal Ye, thanks to its excellent facilities and good transport links to other tourist destinations in Guatemala.
Interesting and cultural facts
Mayan history of the site and archaeological finds
Hun Nal Ye is also regarded as an archaeological park due to the discoveries made there, which included Mayan artefacts. This prominent Mesoamerican civilisation performed purification rituals in this park, specifically in the area around the cenote and the waterfalls.
In 2005, a cave was discovered at Hun Nal Ye containing 24 pots and a box carved with hieroglyphs, providing clear evidence that the Maya had visited this site. It was later confirmed that the hieroglyphs depicted gods and figures from Mayan culture. Based on all these findings, it's believed that this particular cave was a sacred site where the Maya made offerings to the moon and performed rituals to ask the gods for favours.
In the museum located within the park, you can see a replica of the carved box found in the cave, as the original is housed in the Museum of Anthropology and History in Guatemala City.
