Coban, the capital of Alta Verapaz department, is the gateway to Guatemala’s cloud forest region. The city is known for its coffee farms, the National Orchid Festival, and as a base for visiting Semuc Champey and the Lanquin caves.
Transportes Monja Blanca dominates this route and is one of Guatemala’s most professional bus companies with a modern fleet and online booking.
Price Comparison
| Service Class | Duration | Frequency | Q price | USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monja Blanca Especial | 5 hrs | 6 daily (Mon-Sat) | Q125 | ~$16 | Reclining seats, AC, bathroom, USB |
| Monja Blanca Estandar | 5 hrs | ~10 daily (Mon-Sat) | Q105 | ~$14 | Reclining seats, no bathroom |
| Monja Blanca Cobanerita | 5.5 hrs | 2 nightly (1 AM, 2 AM) | Q85 | ~$11 | Traditional bus, cargo rack |
| Tourist shuttle (Antigua/GC) | 5-6 hrs | On demand | Q380-580 | $50-75 | Used mostly for Semuc Champey packages |
| Private vehicle (1-4 pax) | 4-4.5 hrs | On demand | Q1,800-2,500 | $232-323 | Door to door, fastest |
Prices verified March 2026 from tmb.com.gt — verify current fares before booking, especially around Semana Santa and Christmas.
Service Classes
Especial (Recommended)
- Price: Q125 per person
- Features: Reclining seats, air conditioning, onboard bathroom, security cameras, USB charging
- Schedule (Mon-Sat): 5:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM
- Schedule (Sunday): 5:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM
- Departure: Centra Norte, Zona 17
Estandar
- Price: Q105 per person
- Features: Reclining seats, sliding windows, security cameras
- Schedule (Mon-Sat): 3:00 AM, 4:00 AM (Zona 1), 6:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM
- Schedule (Sunday): Similar with some variations
- Departure: Mostly from Centra Norte; 3-4 AM departures from Zona 1
Cobanerita (Budget)
- Price: Q85 per person
- Features: Traditional bus with cargo rack, sliding windows
- Schedule: 1:00 AM and 2:00 AM daily, departing from Zona 1
Terminal Locations
- Centra Norte, Km 8.5 Carretera al Atlantico, Zona 17 — Most departures. Take an Uber from anywhere in Guatemala City (Q25-50 to Zona 17).
- 8a Avenida, Zona 1 — Early morning departures (1:00-4:00 AM only).
Booking
- WhatsApp: 4682-8667
- Phone: +502 7961-8484
- Website: tmb.com.gt
- Capital agency phone: +502 3013-8256
Buy tickets online, by WhatsApp, or at the terminal. Holiday periods (Semana Santa, Christmas) sell out — book 1-2 days in advance.
Route and Scenery
The route follows the Atlantic Highway (CA-9) northeast from Guatemala City, then turns north through the Polochic Valley toward the Verapaces. The road climbs through lush cloud forest — one of Guatemala’s most beautiful landscapes.
Key stops: El Rancho junction (2.5 hrs), Salama turnoff, Tactoc Pass, San Pedro Carcha, Coban (5 hrs).
From Coban to Semuc Champey
From Coban, take a minibus from the market to Lanquin (Q40-50, 2.5-3 hrs). See our Antigua to Semuc Champey route guide for complete details.
Where to Catch the Bus
- Centra Norte (primary): Km 8.5 Carretera al Atlantico, Zona 17, Guatemala City. The terminal sits north of the city center near the Atlantic Highway interchange. Take an Uber from any zone (Q25-50). Allow 30-45 minutes from Zona 10 due to traffic.
- Zona 1 secondary terminal: 8a Avenida 15-16, Zona 1, Centro Historico. Used only for the 1-4 AM departures (Cobanerita and very early Estandar). Walk to nearby hotels in Zona 1 for safety after dark; do not arrive at this terminal on foot before sunrise.
- Coban arrival: Monja Blanca’s Coban terminal is on 2a Calle 3-77, Zona 4, walking distance to Parque Central.
Best Time to Travel
- Dry season (Nov-Apr): Best for the cloud forest crossing. Visibility through the Polochic Valley climbs is clearer, and the road has fewer landslides.
- Rainy season (May-Oct): The CA-14 highway from El Rancho to Coban is famous for fog, mist, and sharp curves through the Tactic Pass. Landslide closures of 1-3 hours are common after heavy rain. Avoid night travel May-September if possible.
- Peak coffee tourism (Nov-Mar): Book 2-3 days ahead.
- Orchid Festival (Dec): Coban hotels and buses fill up early in December.
- Best departure: The 7 AM Especial. You arrive in Coban by noon with the afternoon to explore.
Tips
- Bring a light jacket. Coban sits at 1,317 meters with a cool, misty climate. Average temperature is 19C, dropping to 11-14C overnight.
- Coffee country: Try Coban’s famous cardamom coffee. The region produces some of Guatemala’s best beans.
- Return buses follow the same schedule in reverse from Coban to Guatemala City. Last departure is 4 PM Especial / 6 PM Estandar.
- Connecting routes: The bus passes El Rancho junction, the same intersection used by Guatemala City to Rio Dulce buses. To continue from Coban toward the eastern Caribbean lowlands, transfer in Coban for a microbus to El Estor or Lanquin.
- Compare other long-distance options: See all Guatemala transport routes for cross-country planning.
Prices verified March 2026. Exchange rate: Q7.75 per USD. Verify current fares before booking.
