From the El Pajal Junction, the road winds through the mountainous Alta Verapaz terrain north to the small village of Sebol (about two hours), which is attractively set on the banks of the Río La Pasión with waterfalls flowing into it. It might make an attractive stopover someday, though there is no infrastructure to accommodate visitors as of yet.

Here the road branches east to Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, referred to simply as “Fray” or “Las Casas.” This nondescript town has a few basic accommodations, should you need to stay here. The best of these are Hotel Diamelas ($13 d) and Hotel y Restaurante Bartolo ($8 d).

You’ll find the town is fairly spread out, with the plaza and most visitor services on one end of town and the bus terminal and market on the other, a 10-minute walk away. On or near the plaza, you’ll find a post office, police station, Banrural, and the local town hall (municipalidad) There are at least three ATMs near the town entrance..

There is a bus departing daily for Poptún at 3 a.m. ($4), and hourly buses for Cobán between 4 a.m. and 4 p.m.