Parque Nacional Laguna Lachuá, National park near Cobán, Guatemala.
Parque Nacional Laguna Lachuá is a protected area near Cobán featuring a circular turquoise lake at its center surrounded by thick subtropical forest. The lake reaches 220 meters deep, and marked hiking trails with information signs wind through the surrounding woodland.
The area gained national park protection in 1996 and became an officially protected reserve. This designation helped the region recover from a period of conflict and establish itself as an important natural conservation area.
The name Lachuá comes from the Kekchi language and refers to natural sulfur springs that give the water a distinctive scent. Visitors notice this smell especially when exploring the areas around the lake shore.
The site is best explored on foot, with well-marked trails through the forest offering varying difficulty levels. Bring water, sturdy shoes, and insect protection, as the tropical climate is warm and humid.
The calcite-rich water of the lake deposits white minerals on submerged branches, creating natural white formations beneath the surface. These deposits are especially striking when sunlight penetrates the clear water and highlights the mineral coatings.
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