Coban is the capital of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala’s lush northern highland department. Known as the “Ciudad Imperial” (Imperial City) for its colonial history, Coban sits at 1,320 meters elevation surrounded by cloud forests, coffee plantations, and some of Guatemala’s most spectacular natural attractions – including Semuc Champey, 11 km beyond Lanquín; the drive from Coban to the Lanquín caves alone takes about an hour and a half.
The real estate market here is overwhelmingly local. You will not find the expat premiums of Antigua or the tourist markup of Lake Atitlan. This makes Coban one of the cheapest places to live well in Guatemala.
Rental Prices
We do not print rent ranges for Coban: no source we can re-read gives a dated figure. The channels for current asking rents are listed further down this page.
Neighborhoods
Central Coban: Close to the market, churches, and Plaza Magdalena shopping center. Walkable, noisy during market days. The most affordable apartments are here.
Zona residencial norte: Newer residential developments with gated communities. Quieter, with parking and green space. Mid-range to upper pricing.
Near Hospital Regional: The area around the hospital has steady demand from medical professionals. Good infrastructure, moderate prices.
Outskirts / Carcha road: Heading toward San Pedro Carcha, you find larger properties and land at lower prices. Less urban infrastructure.
Property Purchase Prices
Asking prices move with every capture, so this page does not type them. The live grid of 43 sale listings, with the median asking price and price per m² by capture, is on Coban sale listings.
Coban draws buyers interested in building custom homes or investing in small farms. We found no source that publishes construction-cost differences by region (see our construction costs page), so get local quotes that include freight.
What to Know Before Moving
Infrastructure is developing but not fully urban. Coban has hospitals (Hospital Regional de Coban), banks (Banrural, BAM, BI), and the Plaza Magdalena shopping center. Tigo and Claro provide mobile and home internet. However, options are fewer than in Guatemala City or Antigua.
Rain is constant. Coban’s chipi-chipi (persistent light rain) is legendary. If you need sunshine, this is not your city. But the green landscape is stunning.
Internet is available but variable. Tigo fiber reaches central areas; its internet-only plans run 150-500 Mbps (Tigo prices read 30 September 2026). Outlying areas may rely on 4G or Starlink.
Getting there: The road from Guatemala City takes 4-5 hours (220 km) via the CA-14. Monja Blanca runs from the capital every hour, 00:00 to 17:00 on most days, and publishes no fares (checked 24 September 2026); full timetable on Guatemala City to Cobán.
Where to Find Listings
- Facebook Groups – “Casas y Apartamentos en Alquiler Coban,” “Alta Verapaz Inmuebles”
- Encuentra24 – Limited listings for Coban, but worth checking
- Word of mouth – The most effective method in smaller cities. Ask at hotels, restaurants, or shops.
- “Se Alquila” signs – Walk the neighborhoods you like and look for signs
Utility Costs
| Utility | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity (DEORSA) | Q100-350 ($13-$45) | Lower than capital – cool climate, no AC |
| Water | Q30-100 ($4-$13) | Cheaper than Guatemala City |
| Internet (Tigo) | Q235-335 ($31-$44) | 150-500 Mbps internet-only plans, Tigo prices read Sep 30, 2026; fiber in central areas |
| Gas (cooking) | Q75-125 ($10-$16) | Propane delivery |
Related: Alta Verapaz Department | Cost of Living | Hiking Volcanoes Guide
Rental channels are listed above; sale prices come from the live listings feed linked below.
Sale listings: Cobán and Alta Verapaz sale listings — every agency in one grid
