Where It's Located
The Cobán Guatemala Temple is located at 4ª Avenida 4-48, Zona 8, Barrio Bella Vista in Cobán, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. The temple sits on a 2.1-acre site in the southeastern section of the city adjacent to an existing Church meetinghouse. The temple complex also includes an arrival center, patron housing, and a distribution center.
Getting There
The nearest major airport is La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City, the country's primary international airport. Travelers from the United States can find nonstop flights to Guatemala City from several major cities, including Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Orlando. From Guatemala City, Cobán is approximately a four-hour drive through the scenic Guatemalan Highlands.
A Bit of History
The Cobán Guatemala Temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson during the October 2019 General Conference. It became the third temple in Guatemala, following the Guatemala City Guatemala Temple and the Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple.
The temple's location and official exterior rendering were both released on May 25, 2020. Groundbreaking and site dedication took place on November 14, 2020, with Elder Brian K. Taylor, President of the Central America Area, presiding. After a public open house from April 25 through May 11, 2024, Elder Dale G. Renlund dedicated the temple on June 9, 2024, making it the 193rd operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The temple fulfilled the long-held hopes of Latter-day Saints in Guatemala's central highlands, bringing temple worship much closer to members throughout Alta Verapaz and surrounding regions.
Design and Architecture
The Cobán Guatemala Temple contains approximately 8,772 square feet of floor space. Its exterior features painted hand-troweled stucco and stone with a single attached end tower rising approximately 80 feet above the surrounding landscape. The temple stands at an elevation of approximately 4,346 feet above sea level.
Inside, the temple includes one instruction room, one sealing room, and one baptistry. The temple's design draws inspiration from Spanish Colonial architecture, while decorative details incorporate geometric patterns found in the traditional textiles of the Cobán region, creating a design that reflects the area's cultural heritage.
Final Thoughts
The Cobán Guatemala Temple represents an important milestone in the continued growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Guatemala. As the country's third operating temple, it has made temple worship more accessible for thousands of members living in the central highlands. Its thoughtful architecture, beautiful mountain setting, and meaningful cultural influences make it a memorable destination for those visiting Latter-day Saint temples in Central America.
Scott & Riah
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