Bombil Pek

At only minutes from the center of Chisec Alta Verapaz, two caves offer two different experiences. From the road, a small trail takes you to the first one: Jul Iq, where you can enjoy a variety of formations with the shape of animals and curiosities.

The access is fairly easy and all you need is a headlamp and a helmet (provided by the community guides).

If you are lucky you can see crabs silently walking around and cave spiders, but don't worry, I promise they are shy and will run away at any noise.

The second cave is about 10 minutes walking from Jul Iq. It's a big hole with stairs and an entrance to the cave system. This hole was in fact part of the cave but the ceiling collapsed giving shape to what you will see there.

You can get to the bottom following a set of stairs, or if you are into extreme experiences,get down there rappelling approximately 60 meters downto the entrance. The gear is safe and certified, also provided by the community guides.

Bombil Pek requires you to get quite dirty, as the entrance is in fact a tiny hole that takes you in.

After 10 meters approximately you will reach another hole and that's it. From there you can see a big chamber where is impossible to get in without specialized gear.



What to expect at Bombil Pek and Jul Iq?

  • 35 minutes of trekking into the forest on a warm and humid environment. Take your repellent with you.

  • Get dirty!! walking into the caves and dragging yourself into Bombil Pek small wholes.

  • Expect a fairly cheap price charged by the local guides. They are in fact the nicest guy ever.

  • Yes, lots of fun. The place is safe. You can finish your tour with a tubing adventure on the river.

How to get to Bombil Pek

Follow Carretera al Atlantico to Coban, from there, just as you enter you will see a turn to your left taking you to Chisec. It's about 3 hours driving from Coban. Once there you reach the center of Chisec.

Follow the main road and expect a bridge and a small parking just next identified as Bombil Pek, the entrance to the mayan world.

From Chisec you can continue your trip to Lachua, Raxruja, Sayaxche, Ceibal and Peten, reaching Tikal and Yaxha.
Related notes

Beauty of Semuc ChampeyBeauty of Semuc Champey

08/10/2011
It was 5:30 in the morning, and although very tired from the previous day, we rushed full of emotion. The previous day, after more than 10 hours away from El Salvador, we came to Coban.  [ más ]

Cancuén archaeological siteCancuén archaeological site

01/10/2011
Detail of plaza and play ball in Cancuén. The journey to Cancuén begins by taking the path to the Atlantic, to Coban. The newcomer will take the crossing to the left that leads to Chisec  [ más ]

Sepalau LagoonsSepalau Lagoons

26/02/2011
A peaceful enviroment, mountains, great treks, four lagoons and nature all around wait for you at Sepalau in Chisec. Sepalau is a system of four independent lagoons, but when the rainy season arrives, they join  [ más ]

Laguna Lachuá, a Mirror of the skyLaguna Lachuá, a Mirror of the sky

25/02/2011
Lachuá Lagoon. Photography Hernandez Ottoniel Istupe. The climate is typical of a tropical rainforest with impressive variety of plants and trees of precious woods. Here also live jaguars, pumas, tapirs and many other wild animals.  [ más ]

Bombil Pek caveBombil Pek cave

24/02/2011
Briones down in July front of the cave. The trip started as usual ... the call of one of the team telling an interesting place. Within minutes, call after call to finalize with others, to  [ más ]

Semuc ChampeySemuc Champey

23/02/2011
Crystalline waters, fresh air and nature all around wait for you at Semuc Champey, which means -Sacred water hidden under the stones-. Semuc, mostly known as Champey, are the peaceful formations that the river leaves  [ más ]

Lachua lagoon Laguna de LachuáLachua lagoon Laguna de Lachuá

23/02/2011
The most amazing lagoon ever, trust me. Nature all around, birds, exotic life, saraguates and crystalline and frequently warm waters await for you. Lachua is in fact a National Park. Camping is allowed and there  [ más ]

You might also like to read about

The costly stucco of the Mayan pyramidsThe costly stucco of the Mayan pyramids

Pointing to the wall guide Stucco Palace, Cancuén. Mayan temples were colorful artwork. We have cases of temples and palaces decorated with murals painted in the details of its history as Cancuén palace where you  [ más ]

Cathedral of San José in La Antigua GuatemalaCathedral of San José in La Antigua Guatemala

The original church was built under the direction of Jose de Porres, renowned architect of the time. However, the building was reduced to ruins by the earthquake of 1583 and 1600 that damaged the structure  [ más ]

Archaeological site in Sayaxché CeibalArchaeological site in Sayaxché Ceibal

Structure A-3 Ceibal. Photo Mayan Master Ceibal was discovered in 1892 by Federico Arts. The site's name refers to the huge ceiba trees that can be seen there. Ample parking and welcome dense vegetation at  [ más ]

Chicabal VolcanoChicabal Volcano

Chicabal Lagoon in Chicabal crater. Two volcanoes in Guatemala have a lake in its crater, Volcano Ipala and this, the Volcano Chicabal. Interestingly one is in the East and the other in the West so  [ más ]