Not conquered by the Spanish in the same manner as most Guatemalan cities, Coban was actually founded by a Dominican monk who convinced the Spaniards to leave the town alone so that he could take some time to peacefully convert the indigenous peoples to Roman Catholicism. Friar Bartolomè de las Casas was successful, conversion was completed in 10 years, and the city was founded in 1538.

A mixture of Spanish architecture and German influence (the Germans brought cardamom here in the mid 20th century), this mountain town with a population of about 25,000 has become the center for eco-tourism in Guatemala. It’s also well known for its coffee and cardamom crops and visitors can buy many cardamom-flavored products here.