# Alta Verapaz Department, Guatemala – Municipalities

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/

Department · Guatemala 

# Alta Verapaz Department

Alta Verapaz Department is a department of Guatemala. It had an estimated **1,432,432 people** in 2024 on 10,597 km² (about 135 per km²). Its main town is Cobán. It is divided into 17 municipalities. 1,947 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 626 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 1,432,432people (2024)
- 10,597km²
- 17municipalities
- 626mapped services

## How many people live in Alta Verapaz Department?

Alta Verapaz Department had an estimated **1,432,432 people** in 2024 — 8.0% of Guatemala, 3rd of 22 departments. There are 998 women for every 1,000 men (below the Guatemala figure of 1,033). Spread over 10,597 km², that is about **135 people per km²**, 17th of 22 departments.

34.8% of people are children under 15 and 4.1% are 65 or older; the median age is about 22 years (it is 25 across Guatemala). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 64 children and older people.

0–4 ****166,176**

5–9 ****166,563**

10–14 ****166,397**

15–19 ****153,613**

20–24 ****147,703**

25–29 ****138,209**

30–34 ****109,137**

35–39 ****88,340**

40–44 ****73,747**

45–49 ****60,281**

50–54 ****46,965**

55–59 ****32,361**

60–64 ****24,755**

65–69 ****19,794**

70+ ****38,391**

Source: [Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) via OCHA HDX, population 2024 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-gtm).

## Where is Alta Verapaz Department?

Alta Verapaz Department lies in [Guatemala](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/). It borders 5 other departments: [Baja Verapaz Department](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/baja-verapaz/), [Izabal Department](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/izabal/), [Petén Department](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/peten/), [Quiché Department](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/quiche/) and [Zacapa Department](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/zacapa/). By area it is the 2nd largest of 22 departments in Guatemala. It covers 9.8% of [Guatemala](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/). The centre of Alta Verapaz Department is about 115 km in a straight line from Guatemala City, the capital. The centre point is at 15.5956° N, 90.0911° W.

Source: [Coordinadora Nacional Para La Reducción De Desastres via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-gtm).

## Things to see in and around Alta Verapaz Department

OpenStreetMap lists 64 named sights in Alta Verapaz Department: 25 attractions; 19 nature reserves; 6 viewpoints; 4 monuments; 4 caves; 2 museums; 1 ruins; 1 castle or fort; 1 national park; 1 waterfall.

- Palacio Departamental · museum
- Palacio Municipal · museum
- Iglesia Del Nazareno Esperanza Zona 12 · castle or fort
- Río Cahabón · waterfall
- Parque Nacional Las Victorias · national park
- Chajbaoc · nature reserve
- Eco-Centro Yaliha · nature reserve
- Laguna Lachuá National Park · nature reserve
- Monumento Natural Semuc Champey · nature reserve
- Parque Nacional Grutas de Lanquín · nature reserve
- Parque Recreativo Natural Municipal Las Conchas · nature reserve
- Reserva Forestal Municipal San Agustin Chahal · nature reserve
- Reserva Forestal Municipal San Lucas Secanté · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Privada Chajumpec · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Privada Chelemha · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Privada Chicacnab · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Privada Chinajux y Sechinaux · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Privada El Anexo del Capuccino · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Privada Entre Ríos · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Privada K'antí Shul · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Privada San Andrés Rocjá · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Privada Santa Isabel · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Privada Xucaneb · nature reserve
- Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra de las Minas · nature reserve
- Lanquin Mirador · viewpoint
- River · viewpoint
- River · viewpoint
- Semuc Champey · viewpoint
- Semuc Champey Mirador · viewpoint
- two rivers meet, nice place to swim · viewpoint

…and 34 more.

Source: [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Alta Verapaz Department

- Time zoneUTC−6, no daylight saving · America/Guatemala
- CurrencyQuetzal (GTQ)
- Country calling code+502
- LanguagesSpanish
- Plug typesType A, B · 120 V
- Driving sideRight
- Postcode format5 digits (#####)

### Nearest airports

- La Aurora International Airport (GUA) · Guatemala City122 km
- Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS) · San Benito149 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Jun (about 13.0 hours, sunrise around 05:28) and shortest in Dec (about 11.2 hours, sunrise around 06:19, sunset around 17:31).

Month Sunrise Sunset Daylight 

Jan 06:30 17:47 11.3 h 

Feb 06:25 18:03 11.6 h 

Mar 06:09 18:10 12.0 h 

Apr 05:46 18:14 12.5 h 

May 05:31 18:21 12.8 h 

Jun 05:28 18:31 13.0 h 

Jul 05:36 18:35 13.0 h 

Aug 05:45 18:25 12.7 h 

Sep 05:48 18:02 12.2 h 

Oct 05:51 17:40 11.8 h 

Nov 06:02 17:27 11.4 h 

Dec 06:19 17:31 11.2 h 

Source: [GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0)](https://www.geonames.org/); [Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-02](https://www.wikidata.org/); [OurAirports (public domain)](https://ourairports.com/data/).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Municipalities of Alta Verapaz Department

Municipality People per km² Area km² Localities Services 

[San Pedro Carchá](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/san-pedro-carcha/) 273,204 208 1,314 525 39 

[Cobán](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/coban/) 241,927 107 2,267 417 335 

[Chisec](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/chisec/) 111,182 102 1,094 129 21 

[Senahú](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/senahu/) 102,683 146 705 122 0 

[Panzós](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/panzos/) 84,712 116 729 93 7 

[San Cristóbal Verapaz](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/san-cristobal-verapaz/) 84,321 219 384 95 27 

[Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/fray-bartolome-de-las-casas/) 83,255 69 1,211 150 18 

[Cahabón](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/cahabon/) 73,803 97 760 131 5 

[San Juan Chamelco](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/san-juan-chamelco/) 65,375 350 187 94 14 

[Tucurú](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/tucuru/) 53,484 244 219 54 4 

[Santa Catalina La Tinta](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/santa-catalina-la-tinta/) 48,405 245 197 12 13 

[Tactic](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/tactic/) 43,949 378 116 48 50 

[Raxruhá](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/raxruha/) 42,219 74 568 58 10 

[Santa Cruz Verapaz](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/santa-cruz-verapaz/) 38,557 494 78 33 33 

[Chahal](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/chahal/) 31,454 68 459 80 5 

[Lanquín](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/lanquin/) 27,776 118 236 50 42 

[Tamahú](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/alta-verapaz/tamahu/) 26,126 374 70 29 3 

Source: [Coordinadora Nacional Para La Reducción De Desastres via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-gtm); [Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) via OCHA HDX, population 2024 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-gtm).

## Villages and localities in Alta Verapaz Department

Open gazetteers list **1,947 villages, towns and localities** in Alta Verapaz Department. The largest with a recorded population: Cobán (212,047), Panzos (71,846), San Cristóbal Verapaz (19,664), Chisec (17,018), San Pedro Carchá (16,353) and San Juan Chamelco (13,264). Settlements here lie between about 6 m and 2,355 m above sea level (median 714 m).

- Acamal
- Actelá
- Agua Bendita
- Agua Blanca
- Agua Caliente
- Agua Chiquita
- Agua Subterránea
- Aguacatillo
- Ajauté
- Aldea Se’ Raxq’een
- Alto Sepacay
- Amapola
- Amay
- Aquil
- Aquil Pequeño
- Arcopec
- Arenal Dos
- Arenal Uno
- Astillero Municipal
- Asunción Secaal
- Aurora 8 de Octubre
- Bacadilla Cancuén
- Baleu
- Balsa
- Bancab
- Barrio Bella Vista
- Barrio Canihab
- Barrio Nueva Libertad
- Barrio Poza Azul
- Barrio Poza Azul II
- Barrio San Agustín
- Barrio San Juan
- Belejú
- Bella Vista
- Bella Vista Rio Negro
- Belén
- Bempec El Castaño
- Benconop
- Benima Volcán
- Benipec
- Benitzul Calvario
- Benitzul Ulpán
- Benjá Chibut
- Bensul Conop
- Betania
- Bethania
- Birmania
- Boldillo Laguna Chiquita
- Boloncó
- Buena Vista
- Buena Vista Rocnima
- Cabañas Sector Dos
- Cabañas Sector Uno
- Cabilha
- Cacagüila
- Cacahuilá
- Cacchetul
- Caché
- Caclaib
- Cacpecal
- Cacualtzul
- Cahaboncito
- Cahabón
- Cajux
- Cak-Abaj
- Cakchetul
- Cakcuatzul
- Camar
- Cambayal
- Campamac
- Campanapec
- Camposanto I
- Camposanto II
- Campur
- Campát
- Cananté
- Canasec
- Canaán
- Canaán El Triunfo
- Cancal
- Cancal Pocol
- Candelaria
- Candelaria Chiyó
- Candelaria I
- Candelaria II
- Candelaria Yalicar
- Canguachá
- Caniab
- Canihor
- Canillá
- Canlech
- Canlún
- Canquinic
- Cantzum
- Canxam
- Canxul
- Caqlahib
- Caquigual
- Caquijá
- Caquijá I
- Caquijá II
- Caquipec
- Caquitul
- Caquitón
- Caquitón Chiacal
- Caranilá
- Carbajal
- Carolina
- Carralhá
- Carreché Secaina
- Carrizal
- Caserio Mestela
- Casta Linterna II
- Catalpec
- Cataltzul
- Catzinaj
- Caxlam Aj de La Roca
- Caxlampón
- Centro Guadalupe
- Cerritos Samox
- Cerro Alto Cojaj
- Cerro Azul
- Cerro Lindo Sachichá
- Cerro Lindo Saquiac
- Cerro Verde
- Chabilchoch
- Chacsaquil
- Chahal
- Chaimal
- Chajaneb
- Chajbelen
- Chajbelén
- Chajbul
- Chajbón
- Chajchacán
- Chajché
- Chajcoal
- Chajcorech
- Chajgüal
- Chajhulux
- Chajixim
- Chajlab
- Chajmacán
- Chajmaic
- Chajmaic Cajbón
- Chajmax
- Chajompec
- Chajquej
- Chajquej Chanyuc
- Chajsanc
- Chajxucub
- Chamché
- Chames Xicacao
- Chamex Xicacao
- Chamil
- Chamisún
- Champeguano
- Champerico
- Chamtacá
- Chamuchujl
- Chamá Grande
- Chancarel
- Changkay
- Chantejau
- Chanyuc
- Chaqui Rocjá Setaña
- Chaquipec
- Chaquiquiché
- Chaquirocjá
- Chaquiroquijá
- Chavacal
- Chavilchoc
- Chelac
- Chelemá II
- Cheoyá
- Chepenal
- Chexená
- Chi Ixim
- Chiacach
- Chiacal
- Chiacalté
- Chiacam
- Chiachal
- Chiachal Setal
- Chiacté
- Chiajsakil
- Chiajtzoxul
- Chiaján
- Chialal
- Chiallí
- Chiaque
- Chiaslau
- Chiax
- Chiax Balamte
- Chibach
- Chibax
- Chibite
- Chiborróm
- Chibujbú
- Chibut
- Chicabnab
- Chicaché
- Chicacnab
- Chicambá
- Chicanab
- Chicanal
- Chicanib
- Chicanoj
- Chicantzún
- Chicanutz
- Chichaib
- Chichaic
- Chichaj
- Chichil
- Chichochoc
- Chicholom
- Chichugua
- Chichum
- Chichut
- Chiché
- Chicobán
- Chicoc
- Chicoj
- Chicojgual
- Chicojl
- Chicojóm
- Chiconop
- Chicoyoj
- Chicuc
- Chicucay
- Chicucul
- Chicujal
- Chicunc
- Chicunk
- Chicuxab
- Chicuxub
- Chicuxub Chiayín
- Chicuz
- Chicán
- Chieleljá
- Chielihá
- Chielijá
- Chietz
- Chigarcía
- Chigonol II
- Chiguarrom
- Chiguarrón
- Chiguayo
- Chiguoyo
- Chigüis
- Chijaas
- Chijalal
- Chijalal Tanchí
- Chijcorral
- Chijocom
- Chijolom
- Chijom
- Chijomj
- Chijotom
- Chijou
- Chijsub
- Chijul
- Chijí
- Chilatz
- Chilaxito
- Chilbolbó
- Chilley
- Chilocom
- Chilté
- Chimax
- Chimaxpop
- Chimaxtún
- Chimaxyat
- Chimay
- Chimelb
- Chimelb Campael
- Chimenja
- Chimenjá
- Chimolón
- Chimoté
- Chimox
- Chimoxán
- Chimuchuch
- Chimuis Tanchí
- Chimulac
- Chimulian
- Chimulpoú
- Chimuy
- Chimuy Chicoc
- Chimó
- China Cangüinic
- Chinaboquil
- Chinacobejá
- Chinacolay Setinta
- Chinacté
- Chinaha
- Chinahococ
- Chinajacoc
- Chinajuc
- Chinajá
- Chinajá Zapotillo
- Chinamox
- Chinamá
- Chinantún
- Chinapetén
- Chinasayub
- Chinasir
- Chinasis
- Chinasis San Antonio I
- Chinasujquim
- Chinaticarib
- Chineocob
- Chinichab
- Chininlajón
- Chinlic
- Chinon
- Chintiul
- Chionon
- Chionón
- Chioyal
- Chioyá
- Chipac
- Chipac I
- Chipac II
- Chipajché
- Chipam
- Chipantún
- Chipap
- Chipat
- Chipemech
- Chipetén
- Chipoc
- Chipoclaj
- Chipoip
- Chipol
- Chipom
- Chipor
- Chipozo
- Chipur
- Chiquecuaj
- Chiquej
- Chiqueleu
- Chiquelex
- Chiquibul
- Chiquic
- Chiquihuital
- Chiquin Guaxcux
- Chiquip
- Chiquisis
- Chiquixil
- Chiquixjí
- Chiraxcaj
- Chirejul
- Chiriquiché
- Chirixquitzac
- Chirraxquén
- Chirreacté
- Chirreaj
- Chirrecob
- Chirremesché
- Chirrepec
- Chirrequiché
- Chirrequim
- Chirretzaaj
- Chirromás
- Chirrucbiquim
- Chisactzí
- Chisakin
- Chisap
- Chisay
- Chiseb Sepoc
- Chisec
- Chisiguán
- Chisiram
- Chisub
- Chisubín
- Chisón
- Chitacá
- Chitamté
- Chitap
- Chitaña Esquipulas
- Chitañá
- Chitcoj
- Chitepey
- Chitepey I
- Chitix
- Chitoc
- Chitocán
- Chitsujá
- Chitubtú
- Chituj
- Chitul
- Chitzac
- Chitzubil
- Chitzucluc
- Chitzunún
- Chitón Lanté
- Chitú
- Chivencab
- Chixajau

…and 1,547 more.

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

## Landscape and landmarks of Alta Verapaz Department

Named natural and historic features inside Alta Verapaz Department, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

192 rivers and streams; 9 lakes.

- Arroyo Candelaria
- Arroyo Chiquibul
- Arroyo Chiribiscar
- Arroyo El Jute
- Arroyo El Limón
- Arroyo La Ilusión
- Arroyo Machacá
- Arroyo Nueve Cerros
- Arroyo Salinas
- Arroyo Semococh
- Laguna Lachuá
- Laguna Sepalau
- Laguneta Chichoj
- Laguneta Chiribiscar
- Laguneta Guaquitún
- Laguneta Palizada
- Laguneta Río Viejo
- Laguneta Sepalau
- Laguneta del Temblor
- Quebrada Cabiljá
- Quebrada Cacucub
- Quebrada Camelias
- Quebrada Candelaria
- Quebrada Cantelical

…and 177 more.

### Coast and islands

5 islands; 1 headland.

- Islote Jacobo
- Islote La Isla
- Islote Mercedes
- Islote Quita Camisa
- Islote San Francisco
- Punta de Rieles

### Hills and mountains

79 mountains; 9 hills.

- Cerro Raxón · 2,948 m
- Cerro Rocjá · 2,629 m
- Montaña Yalijux · 2,448 m
- Montaña Caquipec · 2,362 m
- Montaña Xucaneb · 2,305 m
- Cerro Xalijá · 2,283 m
- Cerro La Laguna · 2,220 m
- Cerro Tzampur · 2,185 m
- Cerro Seapac · 2,114 m
- Cerro Sacxoc · 2,105 m
- Cerro Santo Toribio · 2,061 m
- Cerro Chiallí · 2,053 m
- Cerro Guachmalén · 2,020 m
- Cerro Xucaneb · 1,956 m
- Cerro Panjomá · 1,954 m
- Montaña Najtilabal · 1,935 m
- Montaña Yalijux · 1,910 m
- Montaña Najtilabaj · 1,891 m
- Cerro Pansisihuité · 1,887 m
- Montaña Sacranix · 1,887 m
- Cerro Las Flores · 1,852 m
- Montaña Secansís · 1,814 m
- Cerro Nimtacá · 1,809 m
- Montaña Papá · 1,787 m

…and 64 more.

### Forests and nature

1 park.

- Parque Nacional Grutas de Lanquín

### History

11 ancient sites.

- Chamá
- Hun Nal Ye
- Playitas
- Ratinlixul
- Salinas de los Nueve Cerros
- Sitio Arqueológico Chahumpec I
- Sitio Arqueológico Chahumpec II
- Sitio Arqueológico Chicán
- Sitio Arqueológico Papá
- Sitio Arqueológico Sebol
- Sitio Arqueológico Xucaneb

### Getting around

2 airports; 1 railway station.

- Coban
- Estación El Rosario
- Rubelsanto Airport

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Alta Verapaz Department and the best time to visit

In Alta Verapaz Department, the warmest month is May (average 24 °C) and the coolest is Jan (19 °C). About 1,593 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Sep (265 mm) and the driest Mar (41 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **November to April**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 19 63 

Feb 20 45 

Mar 22 41 

Apr 24 45 

May 24 140 

Jun 23 225 

Jul 22 179 

Aug 22 219 

Sep 22 265 

Oct 22 198 

Nov 20 106 

Dec 19 67 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Alta Verapaz Department

Places mapped inside Alta Verapaz Department in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.

- Hospitals28
- Banks36
- ATMs1
- Petrol pumps58
- Hotels160
- Shopping malls16
- Schools47
- Colleges and universities27
- Cinemas3
- Pharmacies30
- Restaurants200
- Police stations2
- Dental clinics18

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Quick answers

- Where is Alta Verapaz Department?In Guatemala
- What is the population of Alta Verapaz Department?1,432,432 (2024 estimate)
- What is the median age in Alta Verapaz Department?About 22 years (2024 estimate)
- What is the population density of Alta Verapaz Department?About 135 people per km²
- What borders Alta Verapaz Department?Baja Verapaz Department, Izabal Department, Petén Department, Quiché Department and Zacapa Department
- What is there to see in Alta Verapaz Department?Arbol TJ, Awanima Cacao Tour, Balneario San José La Colonia, Callejón De Los Enamorados
- What time zone is Alta Verapaz Department in?UTC−6
- What currency is used in Alta Verapaz Department?Quetzal (GTQ)
- What language is spoken in Alta Verapaz Department?Spanish (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Alta Verapaz Department?1,947 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Alta Verapaz Department?Settlements lie between 6 m and 2,355 m
- What is the highest point in Alta Verapaz Department?Cerro Raxón (2,948 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Alta Verapaz Department?November to April
- How many hospitals are in Alta Verapaz Department?28 mapped
- How many banks are in Alta Verapaz Department?36 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Alta Verapaz Department?1 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Alta Verapaz Department?58 mapped
- What is the P-code of Alta Verapaz Department?GT16 (OCHA common operational dataset)