Right in the heart of Cobán, three kilometres from the town centre, there are 82 hectares of forest, footpaths and wildlife that most travellers don’t include on their itinerary. A big mistake.
Las Victorias National Park is one of those places that catches you off guard: you go in thinking you’re just going for a stroll and come out with photos of crocodiles, hawks and a lake with a wooden jetty that you didn’t expect to find so close to the city.
What is Las Victorias National Park?
82 hectares managed by INAB, designated a protected area in 1980. It's three kilometres from the centre of Cobán, in Alta Verapaz. It features 14 kilometres of footpaths, a lake teeming with wildlife, pine and sweetgum forests, and areas for picnicking and camping. It's affordable, easily accessible and, given what it has to offer, surprisingly little known.
One of Cobán’s most important natural areas
Cobán is a rainy town surrounded by nature, and the park is proof of this without you even having to leave the town. Locals have been using it as a weekend getaway for decades. If you’re planning a trip to Alta Verapaz, it’s a great place to stop off on your way to or from Semuc Champey or the Grutas del Rey Marcos. And if you’re heading to Quetzaltenango afterwards, the Fuentes Georginas are the perfect excuse to extend your trip.
Why it is an iconic spot in Alta Verapaz
Before becoming a national park, it was a private estate. It was acquired in the mid-19th century by Jules Rossignon, a Belgian coffee grower who converted it into a dairy farm. For decades it was known as Lechería Las Victorias or, simply, Finca Las Victorias. In 1980, the government declared it a protected area; the INAB took charge and opened it to the public.
Since then, no one in Cobán has had to go far to find themselves in a proper forest.
What makes this national park so special?
It doesn’t try to be anything else. There are no artificial attractions or paved paths to make the visit more comfortable. There’s wildlife, dirt tracks, a forest that smells of damp and a pond home to animals you wouldn’t expect to find. That, and the fact that you can walk there from the town centre.
Location of Las Victorias National Park
The main entrance is on Highway 11A, at the junction with 3rd Street, Zone 1, Cobán, Alta Verapaz. It's 212 km from Guatemala City, a journey of around 3.5–4 hours along the road to Alta Verapaz.
How to get there from the city centre
It’s about a 20- to 30-minute walk from Cobán’s central park. A taxi from the town centre costs around Q15. You can also enter via the El Calvario Church, which is right next door, or head there from the town’s sports centre.
How to get there and tips for your visit
It’s open every day from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm. One important thing: if you want to explore the whole park, don’t arrive after 3.00 pm. The trails are long and it gets dark earlier in this area than you might think.
Go with someone if you can, especially if you plan to stray from the main paths. There are areas with little supervision and the signposting isn’t perfect. On weekdays, the park offers a guided tour, and it’s well worth taking advantage of this on your first visit.
Prices:
- Guatemalan nationals aged 12 and over: Q5
- Children under 12 and students with a valid student card: Q3
- Camping for Guatemalan nationals: Q10
- Admission for foreign visitors: Q10
- Camping for foreign visitors: Q30
- Car park: Q10
- Hut hire: Q450
- Function room hire: Q300
History of Las Victorias National Park
The transformation of Las Victorias Park into a protected area
The park’s history dates back well before 1980. In the mid-19th century, the Belgian Jules Rossignon acquired this estate on the outskirts of Cobán and used it for dairy farming. For decades, it was a private estate known as Finca Las Victorias. When the government declared it a National Park in 1980 and placed it under the administration of INAB, it began its second life: from a working farm to a nature reserve and public space.
The historical and environmental significance of the park
Few cities in Guatemala have a primary forest within their urban area. Las Victorias Park is one such rarity. The INAB manages it according to genuine conservation principles: there are restricted-access areas, wildlife that must not be disturbed, and rules that are strictly enforced. It isn't just a park for a stroll. It's a protected area, and you can tell as soon as you enter.
- This page about Laguna Lachuá National Park may interest you.
What to see in Las Victorias National Park
Trails surrounded by nature
14 kilometres of footpaths, none of which are tarmac. In some places, the ground is quite worn from use, so forget about wearing your everyday trainers. As for finding your way round: the signposting is patchy in places. If it’s your first time, book a guided tour – they’re available on weekdays – and make the most of it.
Viewpoints and scenic spots
The lagoon is the first thing you want to see and the last thing you can take your eyes off. From the wooden jetty, you have the water and the surrounding forest right in front of you, and if you stand still long enough, you might spot a crocodile or a snapping turtle peeking out. There’s also an elevated observation post next to the pond. From there, the views of the surrounding area are excellent, and it’s one of the best spots for watching waterbirds without disturbing anyone.
Forests and conservation areas
High-altitude pines intermingled with licuámbár. In the densest sections, the temperature drops by several degrees and the feeling of being in a real forest intensifies. Listen: the long-tailed zanate sings a great deal around here, and falcons soar above the treetops quite frequently. On the paths furthest from the entrance, you’ll find plants endemic to Alta Verapaz that you won’t easily see anywhere else, except perhaps on the slopes of Cerro Quemado.
Recreational areas for visitors
The park also has a football pitch, a children’s play area, barbecue areas and toilets. The picnic areas are equipped with barbecues. And for those who wish to stay overnight, there are both indoor and outdoor camping facilities.
Things to do in Las Victorias National Park
Walking and hiking
At 14 km, there’s something for everyone. An hour if you fancy a quick walk. The whole morning, if you prefer, to reach the sections further inland, where the forest thickens and things get more interesting. Mind you: the terrain is hilly and becomes slippery as soon as it’s rained. It rains a lot in Cobán. A raincoat is a must.
Birdwatching and observing local wildlife
This isn’t a zoo. The animals are there, but they don’t always show themselves. Falcons, zanates, squirrels, armadillos, peccaries, rabbits, wildcats. In the lagoon, the crocodile and the turtle – the latter rescued from the streets of Cobán during a storm – appear whenever they feel like it. You have to be patient and keep quiet.
Nature photography
The light in the early morning, when it filters through the trees and the park is still empty, is the best for taking photographs. The contrast between the dark woodland, the earth of the footpaths and the water of the lake produces images you won’t find in ordinary urban parks. For wildlife, stick to the area around the lake and the footpaths further in.
Outdoor leisure activities
The park is a great place to bring the family and spend the day. There are barbecues, picnic areas, a football pitch and swings. If you’re looking to relax, the jetty by the lake is hard to beat. And if you want to stay overnight, there’s a campsite available.
- We invite you to read our article about Salcajá.
Flora and fauna of Las Victorias National Park
Plant species characteristic of Alta Verapaz
The combination of large pine trees and sweetgum trees defines the park’s visual character. In the damper sections – which make up the majority, as it rains all year round in Cobán – the undergrowth is teeming with ferns, mosses and herbaceous plants. The vegetation never takes a break: it remains green all year round. When you reach the innermost sections and the vegetation closes in around the path, you realise why this is a primary forest and not just any old park.
Difficulty level of the trails
The paths closest to the entrance and the lagoon are flat, wide and easy. As you head further in, the gradient increases and the terrain becomes more challenging, especially if it has rained recently. It can rain in Cobán at any time of year, so don’t take anything for granted. Always wear boots with grippy soles. Regular visitors to the park mention that the signposting is lacking in certain parts of the interior, so for a first visit it’s best to go with the guide available on weekdays.
Best time to visit Las Victoria National Park
Cobán is a rainy town. There isn’t a single month that’s completely dry, but the season with the least rainfall runs from November to April. During those months, the trails are in better condition and the walk is more comfortable. From May to October, the park is greener and the water level in the lagoon rises, but mud appears on the steeper sections, making the walk more difficult.
The truth is that the park is worth visiting at any time of year, just as is the case with the Santa María Volcano. When it rains, the forest takes on a completely different light and scent.
Advice for families and travellers
- Mosquito repellent, especially if you’re visiting during the wet season
- Closed-toe shoes with grippy soles; no flip-flops
- Comfortable clothing; a rain jacket if there’s any chance of rain
- Don’t arrive after 3.00 pm if you want to explore the whole park
- Water and food for the walk: there are no shops or food stalls in
the park
- Make sure you’re with someone if you stray from the main paths
Regulations to protect the natural environment
The INAB manages this as a protected area, not as a leisure park. You must not disturb the wildlife, pick plants or leave rubbish behind. The crocodile and the leatherback turtle in the lagoon are wild animals: do not approach them or try to feed them. If you are visiting with children, keep a close eye on them near the water at all times. Areas closed to the public are so for a reason.
Frequently Asked Questions about Las Victorias National Park
Where is Las Victorias National Park?
At the junction of 11th Avenue and 3rd Street, Zone 1, Cobán, Alta Verapaz. It's 3 km from the town centre and 212 km from Guatemala City. From the centre of Cobán, you can walk there in about 20–30 minutes, take a taxi for approximately Q15, or drive your own car. The entrance is also accessible from El Calvario Church and the sports centre.
What activities can you do in the park?
Walk 14 km along forest trails, spot birds and wildlife, take photographs, have a picnic with barbecue facilities, play football, and camp indoors or outdoors. Guided tours are available on weekdays. At the lagoon, you can see crocodiles and leatherback turtles, as well as fish and waterbirds.
When is the best time to visit Las Victorias National Park?
From November to April, the trails are in better condition and it rains less. From May to October, the forest is greener, but the mud can make the walk more difficult. The park is well worth a visit at any time of year: the rainy climate of Alta Verapaz is part of the experience, not a drawback. If you combine your visit with a trip to Salcajá, you’ll have a well-rounded tour of western Guatemala.
