Candelaria Camposanto Caves
Located in: Chisec, Alta Verapaz
Time trip: One or two days tour
Attractions and activities: The Candelaria Camposanto community offers two magnificent dry caves and an exhilarating cave tubing tour through an underground section of the Candelaria River.
Point of departure: Coban city
Do you want to go to this place?
Laguna de Chichoj from the Calvario
Facts about de site: Candelaria Caves National Park is a subterranean river and cave system considered among the largest and most impressive in Latin America.
In addition to its speleological* attributes, this cave system has great cultural and natural significance since it was a main pilgrimage site for the ancient Maya civilization and it shelters diverse flora and fauna.
For the archeology buff there are more than 20 archaeological sites surrounding the cave system and a lot of Maya pottery, which shows its relevance in ancient times.
In Candelaria Camposanto you can visit two extraordinary caves called "Ventana de Seguridad" (Security Window) and "Cúpula de Murciélagos" (Bat Dome). Access to these caves is easy and in them you'll be able to admire peculiar rock formations, the path of ancient rivers and evidence of religious ceremonies from the ancient Maya.
If you're the more adventurous type, you'll be able to embark on a beautiful and thrilling voyage of cave tubing in an underground section of the Candelaria River. Several windows along the roof of the gallery allow the sun's rays to sift through the darkness and create spectacular views.
All tourism activities in these caves are managed by community residents from "The Maya Q'eqchi' Association for Development and Tourism of Candelaria-Camposanto". Services available for visitors include:
- Guided interpretive tours to the caves
- Guided cave tubing tour
- Equipment rental (tubes, life jackets and flashlights)
- Convenience store and pharmacy
- Restrooms with showers
- Food service
- Shaded parking lot
* The scientific study or exploration of caves.
