The city of Cobán is the capital of the department of Alta Verapaz in Guatemala.

The city was founded by Dominican friars in 1543. In 2000 the estimated population was 70,000. Cobán is at the center of a region growing fine coffee.

Each year at the end of August a festival of Guatemala's native peoples is held here, La Fiesta Nacional Indigena de Guatemala. The festivities include a beauty pagent for Guatemala's Native American women, the winner of which is crowned with the title "Rabin Ahau".