Actelá: Nature and Culture in the Municipality of Santa María Cahabón

At the municipal level, there are also natural and cultural attractions: La Canasta, a natural monument; the source of the Río Oxec; hot springs and natural pools; and the central Catholic church. The patronal festival in honor of the Virgen de Natividad is another highlight. The landscape, sacred architecture, and a specific period in September appeal to different interests. You can consider whether nature, religious architecture, or a date-specific event is most important for your stay.

Natural Landscapes and Water Sites

La Canasta, a natural monument and rock formation, is located in Santa María Cahabón. At the bottom of the formation is a pool of clear, green water. This site brings together a rock formation and a pool. Unlike a river source or hot spring, La Canasta is defined by the combination of the rock formation and the pool. For nature enthusiasts, it offers a specific connection to the landscape that distinguishes it from the municipality’s other types of water features.

Other important sites in the municipality include the source of the Río Oxec in the village of Secanante, the hot springs of San José Salac and Tzalamtun, and natural pools near San José Cucar, Wiliximpec, or Pelisimpec. These sites represent different types of water features: a river source, hot springs, and natural pools. This makes it possible to distinguish whether you are particularly interested in a river source, hot springs, or natural pools when planning your trip. These different features offer specific points of reference to help you identify what interests you about the municipality’s landscape.

Church and Sacred Art

The Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario is the central Catholic church of the municipality of Santa María Cahabón. It stands high in the mountains, and its architecture and sacred art give it significant historical value. Its central role in the church and its mountain setting are two distinct aspects of the site: one locates the church within the municipality, while the other situates it in the landscape. For travelers interested in religious architecture as well as nature, it is a clear cultural point of reference.

Patronal Festival in September

The patronal festival of Santa María Cahabón in honor of the Virgen de Natividad takes place from September 3 to 8. Unlike the church as a building, the festival is a date-specific event. These are two different cultural interests: architecture and sacred art on the one hand, and a specific time period on the other. If the festival matters to your travel dates, check the event dates for your travel year in advance.

The municipality’s natural and cultural attractions can complement your travel interests; the dates of the patronal festival can be taken into account when planning your schedule. This lets you coordinate your preferred place to stay with an event in the municipality.

Discover more destinations: Lanquín, Santa Cruz Verapaz, Cobán, Chahal

Return to the broader travel overview: Alta Verapaz.