Chiquimula Department

Chiquimula Department is an administrative division in eastern Guatemala covering mountainous terrain with eleven municipalities. The region has two major river systems that flow toward the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Spanish explorers first entered the region in 1524 under leaders including Hernando de Chavez, Juan Duran, Bartolome Becerra, and Cristobal Salvatierra. This initial contact set the course for the area's colonial development.

The name comes from the Nahuatl word chiquimoltlan. Chorti Maya and Ladino communities shape daily life in the mountain villages and towns found throughout this eastern region.

The department sits in the eastern part of the country with Honduras as its eastern neighbor. Plan your visit during the dry season when mountain roads are easier to navigate.

The region is known for palm weaving, where artisans craft fans and baskets from palm leaves in small workshops throughout the municipalities. This traditional craft supports many families and represents a living skill passed down through generations.

Location: Guatemala

Capital city: Chiquimula

Elevation above the sea: 424 m

Shares border with: Santa Ana Department, Zacapa Department, Jalapa Department, Jutiapa Department, Ocotepeque Department, Copán Department

Website: https://delemp.com/departamento-de-chiquimula

GPS coordinates: 14.79944,-89.54361

Latest update: December 22, 2025 22:26