San Mateo Ixtatán is a municipality in the Guatemalan department of Huehuetenango. It is situated at 2,540 metres (8,330 ft) above sea level in the Cuchumatanes mountain range and covers 560 km² of terrain. It has a cold climate and is located in a cloud forest. The temperature fluctuates between 0.5 and 20 °C. The coldest months are from November to January and the warmest months are April and May. The town has a population of 15,090 and is the municipal center for an additional 28,000 people living in the surrounding mountain villages. It has a weekly market on Thursday and Sunday. The annual town festival takes place from September 19 to September 21, honoring their patron Saint Matthew. The residents of San Mateo belong to the Chuj Maya ethnic group and speak the Mayan Chuj language, not to be confused with Chuj baths, or wood-fired steam rooms, that are common throughout the central and western highlands.
View of San Mateo Ixtatán
Unexcavated pre-Columbian ruins of Wajxaklajun on the outskirts of San Mateo Ixtatán.
Huehuetenango is one of the 22 departments of Guatemala. It is located in the western highlands and shares the borders with the Mexican state of Chiapas in the north and west; with El Quiché in the east, and Totonicapán, Quetzaltenango and San Marcos in the south. The capital is the city of Huehuetenango.
Counterclockwise from top: Zaculeu in the city of Huehuetenango, Cenotes de Candelaria in Nenton, Hoyo Cimarron in La Trinidad Nenton, Catarata de Pajaj in San Pedro Soloma, Lagartero river in Nenton and Laguna Brava in Nenton Huehuetenango
Bridge over the San Juan River near its source which is one of the principal tourist attractions in the department.
San Mateo Ixtatán.
The Maya ruins of Zaculeu, near Huehuetenango city
