# Retalhuleu Department, Guatemala – Municipalities & Population

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/retalhuleu/

Department · Guatemala 

# Retalhuleu Department

Retalhuleu Department is a department of Guatemala. It had an estimated **391,830 people** in 2024 on 1,944 km² (about 202 per km²). Its main town is Retalhuleu. It is divided into 9 municipalities. 317 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 537 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 391,830people (2024)
- 1,944km²
- 9municipalities
- 537mapped services

## How many people live in Retalhuleu Department?

Retalhuleu Department had an estimated **391,830 people** in 2024 — 2.2% of Guatemala, 19th of 22 departments. There are 1,010 women for every 1,000 men (below the Guatemala figure of 1,033). Spread over 1,944 km², that is about **202 people per km²**, 10th of 22 departments.

30.3% of people are children under 15 and 5.3% are 65 or older; the median age is about 25 years (it is 25 across Guatemala). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 55 children and older people.

0–4 ****39,447**

5–9 ****40,369**

10–14 ****39,095**

15–19 ****38,105**

20–24 ****38,068**

25–29 ****37,077**

30–34 ****33,821**

35–39 ****28,457**

40–44 ****23,007**

45–49 ****18,214**

50–54 ****14,606**

55–59 ****11,462**

60–64 ****9,356**

65–69 ****7,289**

70+ ****13,457**

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 Retalhuleu Department?

Retalhuleu Department lies in [Guatemala](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/). It borders 3 other departments: [Quetzaltenango Department](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/quetzaltenango/), [San Marcos Department](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/san-marcos/) and [Suchitepéquez Department](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/suchitepequez/). By area it is the 17th largest of 22 departments in Guatemala. It covers 1.8% of [Guatemala](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/). The centre of Retalhuleu Department is about 144 km in a straight line from Guatemala City, the capital. The centre point is at 14.4192° N, 91.8286° 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 Retalhuleu Department

OpenStreetMap lists 42 named sights in Retalhuleu Department: 18 memorials; 6 attractions; 6 monuments; 5 theme parks; 4 nature reserves; 3 museums.

- Municipalidad · museum
- Museo Caracol del Tiempo · museum
- Superitendencia de Administracion Tributaria · museum
- Reserva Ecológica del Mangle · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Privada Buenos Aires · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Privada La Chorrera - Manchón Guamuchal · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Privada Los Laureles · nature reserve
- Centro Recreativo Las cascadas · attraction
- Centro recreativo Ocosito · attraction
- Manchón Guamuchal · attraction
- Takalik Abaj · attraction
- The Manchon Guamuchal · attraction
- Turicentro Villas Aracely · attraction
- A los Trabajadores · memorial
- Al Indígena de los Pumpos · memorial
- Bomberos voluntarios Por su trabajo · memorial
- Busto José Javier Morán · memorial
- Busto Justo Rufino Barrios · memorial
- Cocode · memorial
- Dino Park · theme park
- Estela Maya 1 · memorial
- Estela Maya 2 · memorial
- Fuente la Trinidad · monument
- IRTRA XEJUYUP · theme park
- La Rueda Añeja · memorial
- La Sirena · memorial
- La bomba · monument
- Los Tinajones · memorial
- Monumento a la Madre · monument
- Monumento al Centenario · memorial

…and 12 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: Retalhuleu 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

- Retalhuleu Airport (RER) · Retalhuleu18 km
- Tapachula International Airport (TAP) · Tapachula72 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Jun (about 13.0 hours, sunrise around 05:38) and shortest in Dec (about 11.3 hours, sunrise around 06:23, sunset around 17:40).

Month Sunrise Sunset Daylight 

Jan 06:35 17:56 11.4 h 

Feb 06:31 18:11 11.7 h 

Mar 06:16 18:17 12.0 h 

Apr 05:54 18:20 12.4 h 

May 05:39 18:26 12.8 h 

Jun 05:38 18:36 13.0 h 

Jul 05:45 18:40 12.9 h 

Aug 05:53 18:30 12.6 h 

Sep 05:55 18:09 12.2 h 

Oct 05:57 17:47 11.8 h 

Nov 06:08 17:36 11.5 h 

Dec 06:23 17:40 11.3 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 Retalhuleu Department

Municipality People per km² Area km² Localities Services 

[Retalhuleu](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/retalhuleu/retalhuleu/) 114,320 142 808 135 334 

[San Andrés Villa Seca](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/retalhuleu/san-andres-villa-seca/) 58,763 135 436 32 14 

[El Asintal](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/retalhuleu/el-asintal/) 45,253 483 94 32 14 

[Nuevo San Carlos](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/retalhuleu/nuevo-san-carlos/) 43,214 499 87 28 7 

[Champerico](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/retalhuleu/champerico/) 40,196 123 328 43 24 

[San Sebastián](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/retalhuleu/san-sebastian/) 31,486 1,777 18 13 54 

[San Felipe](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/retalhuleu/san-felipe/) 27,953 763 37 8 24 

[Santa Cruz Muluá](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/retalhuleu/santa-cruz-mulua/) 17,031 133 128 28 48 

[San Martín Zapotitlán](https://wherepedia.org/guatemala/retalhuleu/san-martin-zapotitlan/) 13,614 1,450 9.4 7 18 

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 Retalhuleu Department

Open gazetteers list **317 villages, towns and localities** in Retalhuleu Department. The largest with a recorded population: Retalhuleu (90,505), Nuevo San Carlos (39,565), San Sebastián (29,167), San Felipe (24,446), El Asintal (17,388) and Champerico (9,941). Settlements here lie between about 1 m and 891 m above sea level (median 218 m).

- 17 de Febrero
- Acapán
- Agrícola
- Ajaxá
- Alameda
- Aldea Barrios
- Ana Lucía 2
- Armenia Ortiz
- Asentamiento Nuevo Chicales
- Ayutilla
- Ayutía
- Bacajiá
- Bacajiá II
- Barillas
- Barrio Bilbao
- Barrio El Guayacán
- Barrio El Palmo
- Barrio Pueblo Nuevo
- Barrio San José
- Barrio San Miguel
- Barrio Viña del Mar
- Barrios
- Bella Aurora
- Berlín
- Boxomá
- Buena Vista
- Buenos Aires
- Caballo Blanco
- Cabañas
- Cajolá Vaquilito
- Candelaria Ayutía
- Candelaria Ortiz
- Cangrejo de Oro
- Cantón Rusia
- Ceiba Blanca
- Centro
- Centro Administrativo de Microparcelamiento Agrario Las Victorias
- Centro Urbano de Zona de Desarollo Agrario Santa Fé
- Champerico
- Chicales
- Cifuentes
- Cisnes
- Ciudad Modelo
- Ciudad Palmera
- Cola de Pollo
- Colonia 20 de Octubre
- Colonia La Libertad Las Cruces
- Colonia Las Marías
- Colonia Pedregal
- Colonia San Alfonso
- Colonia San Alfonzo
- Colonia San José
- Colonia Stan
- Colonia Veinte de Octubre
- Colonia Villa Génova
- Colonia Villas de Santander
- Comunidad Agraria El Carmen
- Comunidad Agraria Nueva Cajolá
- Comunidad Agraria Nueva Monte Cristo
- Comunidad Agraria San Juan
- Comunidad Agraria San Vicente
- Comunidad Astlán
- Comunidad Caballo Blanco
- Comunidad Ixil
- Comunidad Línea Férrea Cinco
- Comunidad Nueva Gomera
- Comunidad San José Las Delicias
- Comunidad Victoria Tres
- Concepción
- Concepción Nil
- Concepción Ocosito
- Condominio Las Fuentes
- Copepé
- Costa Real
- Cuchuapán
- Córdova
- Dolores
- El Abrigo
- El Asintal
- El Barrenito
- El Bebedero
- El Bosque
- El Chahurte
- El Chico
- El Coco
- El Codo
- El Corcho
- El Español
- El Güiscoyol
- El Lagarterón
- El Mango
- El Milagro
- El Nil
- El Nuevo Palmar
- El Olvido
- El Palmo
- El Pedregal II
- El Perú
- El Pijuy
- El Porvenir
- El Prado
- El Quemado
- El Rabón
- El Recuerdo
- El Refugio
- El Retiro
- El Rodeo
- El Rosario
- El Río
- El Seminario
- El Siglo
- El Triunfo
- El Tulate
- El Zapote
- Entre Planchas
- España
- Española
- Esquipulas
- Finca Candelaria Xolhuitz
- Francisco Vela
- Fraternidad
- Fátima
- Granada
- Granados
- Hacienda Buenos Aires
- Ixcoy
- Ixpatz
- Ixtán
- Jerez
- Jesús La Bomba
- Josecito
- Jovel
- Kech
- La Barrita
- La Bendición
- La Blanquita
- La Chácara
- La Cuchilla
- La Gracia
- La Guitarra
- La Hortaliza
- La Lagartera
- La Libertad
- La Lolita
- La Máquina Centro Urbano 2
- La Piñuela
- La Sureña
- La Tortuga
- La Varona
- La Verde
- La Villa
- Labor Rancho La Providencia
- Labor Río Dulce
- Labor San José Las Vegas
- Las Brisas
- Las Cruces
- Las Maduras
- Las Palmeras
- Las Pilas
- Las Pilas II
- Libertad
- Loma Sur
- Los Achiotes
- Los Batres
- Los Cardona
- Los Cedros
- Los Chunes
- Los Encuentros
- Los López
- Los Patos
- Los Ángeles
- Lotificación Furlán Cámbara
- Lotificación La Marina
- Lotificación La Trinidad
- Lotificación Nueva La Encantada
- Lotificación Pamorral
- Lotificación Premier
- Lotificación Rodríguez
- Lotificación Vista Hermosa
- Manacales
- Manchón
- Mangales
- Manuel de Jesús
- Maricón
- Marinas del Rey
- Monterrey
- Montúfar
- Morazán
- Municipal
- Navas
- Niminá
- Nueva Cajola
- Nueva Candelaria
- Nueva Candelaria Vía La Verde
- Nueva Esperanza
- Nueva Lolita
- Nueva Olga Cuchuapán
- Nueva Sebastián
- Nuevo Amanecer
- Nuevo Palmar
- Nuevo San Carlos
- Ocosito
- Paaj
- Pajales
- Pajales Anexo II
- Pajales Anexo III
- Pajoson
- Pamelita
- Parcelamiento Agrario Camelias
- Parcelamiento Buenos Aires
- Parcelamiento El Salto
- Parinox
- Peralta
- Perú
- Petencito
- Prados de Flamenco Fase 2
- Prados de Flamenco Sector 1
- Pucá
- Puerta Privada
- Ralda
- Rancho Alegre
- Rancho Bonanza
- Recuerdo Ocosito
- Refugio
- Residencial Las Palmas
- Residencial Miriam del Carmen
- Residenciales Las Palmeras
- Residenciales Monte Bello
- Residenciales Praderas del Sur
- Residenciales Santa Rita
- Residenciales del Centenario
- Retalhuleu
- Rosario
- Samalá
- San Andrés Villa Seca
- San Antonio
- San Antonio Buena Vista
- San Antonio El Mangal
- San Antonio Ortiz
- San Antonio Ortíz
- San Felipe
- San Jose La Gloria I
- San Jose Las Delicias Gated Community
- San José
- San José La Gloria I
- San José La Veguita
- San José Las Flores
- San José Las Vegas
- San José Nil Chiquito
- San Juan
- San Luis
- San Martín Zapotitlán
- San Miguel Las Pilas
- San Rafael
- San Ramón
- San Roque
- San Sebastián
- Santa Agustina
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz Cajolá
- Santa Cruz Muluá
- Santa Elena
- Santa Fe
- Santa Isabel
- Santa Rita
- Santa Rosita
- Santa Teresita
- Santiago
- Sector Centro
- Sector Entre Ríos
- Sector II El Foco
- Sector II San José La Gloria
- Sector Iglesia Católica I
- Sector Iglesia Católica II
- Sector La Brecha
- Sector La Cuchilla Aldea El Xab
- Sector La Perla
- Sector Los Chunes
- Sector Los Reyes
- Sector Mejia Pelico
- Sector Mejía Pelico
- Sector Norte
- Sector Nueva Esperanza
- Sector Principe de Paz
- Sector Príncipe de Paz
- Sector Recinos
- Sector Samalá
- Sector Sinaí
- Sector Sur
- Sector Ursula
- Sector V
- Sector Vuelta del Mango
- Sector de León
- Sibana
- Siglo I
- Tableros
- Tierra Colorada
- Toncontín
- Tres Cruces
- Tres de Enero
- Tulate
- Tzununché
- Valle Lirio
- Vaquilito
- Versalles
- Victoria El Salto Playa Grande
- Victorias El Salto
- Villa El Paraíso
- Villas del Pedregal 1
- Viloma
- Voltario
- Xab
- Xulá
- Xulá Copepé
- Xulá II
- Zompopero
- Zona de Desarrollo Agrario La Máquina Centro Urbano Dos

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 Retalhuleu Department

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

### Water

88 rivers and streams; 29 lakes.

- Laguna El Tigre
- Laguna Ixpatz
- Laguna Madre Sal
- Laguna Madre Vieja
- Laguna de Ixquén
- Laguna de La Pepesca
- Laguna de Mesá
- Laguna de Oc
- Laguna de la Cotuza
- Laguneta Chagüitón
- Laguneta Dulce
- Laguneta El Arca
- Laguneta El Castaño
- Laguneta El Silencio
- Laguneta El Tormento
- Laguneta Güiscoyol
- Laguneta Madre Viejita
- Laguneta Palo Gordo
- Laguneta Pampa Dulce
- Laguneta Poza del Salto
- Laguneta Salada
- Laguneta Tomatales
- Pampa El Ciro
- Pampa El Pijijero

…and 93 more.

### Coast and islands

43 lagoons.

- Estero Acapoloncillo
- Estero Acapolón
- Estero Bella Vista (historical)
- Estero Champericón
- Estero Chapán (historical)
- Estero El Bebedero
- Estero El Chico
- Estero El Polvón
- Estero Ixtán
- Estero Jovel
- Estero Los Cursos
- Estero San Antonio
- Estero de Mateo
- Laguna Guayabal
- Laguna La Escondida
- Laguna del Acapoloncillo
- Laguneta El Guayabo
- Laguneta El Tendedero
- Laguneta Espinola
- Laguneta Grande
- Laguneta La Colorada
- Laguneta La Escondida
- Laguneta La Escondida
- Laguneta La Garita

…and 19 more.

### History

2 ancient sites.

- Sitio Arqueológico Abaj Takalik
- Tak'alik Ab'aj

### Estates

16 estates.

- Hacienda Bella Isla
- Hacienda Cantauria
- Hacienda Copepé
- Hacienda El Caulote
- Hacienda El Danubio
- Hacienda Establo La Cuchilla
- Hacienda La Española
- Hacienda La Luz
- Hacienda La Marina
- Hacienda La Pradera
- Hacienda La Soledad
- Hacienda Las Glorias
- Hacienda Pata de Pollo
- Hacienda Santa Anita Copalchí
- Ranchería El Tigre
- Ranchería San Juan

### Getting around

3 airfields; 1 airport; 1 railway station.

- Estación Maricón
- Nueva LInda Landing Strip
- Pista de Aterrizaje Doce
- Retalhuleu Airport
- Rincón Alegre Airstrip

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 Retalhuleu Department and the best time to visit

In Retalhuleu Department, the warmest month is Apr (average 27 °C) and the coolest is Jan (24 °C). About 2,100 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Sep (377 mm) and the driest Feb (6 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 24 7 

Feb 25 6 

Mar 26 23 

Apr 27 75 

May 27 276 

Jun 26 342 

Jul 26 264 

Aug 26 319 

Sep 25 377 

Oct 25 329 

Nov 25 73 

Dec 25 10 

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

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Retalhuleu Department

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

- Hospitals22
- Banks34
- Petrol pumps30
- Hotels108
- Shopping malls17
- Schools53
- Colleges and universities14
- Cinemas2
- Pharmacies39
- Restaurants195
- Police stations8
- Dental clinics15

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 Retalhuleu Department?In Guatemala
- What is the population of Retalhuleu Department?391,830 (2024 estimate)
- What is the median age in Retalhuleu Department?About 25 years (2024 estimate)
- What is the population density of Retalhuleu Department?About 202 people per km²
- What borders Retalhuleu Department?Quetzaltenango Department, San Marcos Department and Suchitepéquez Department
- What is there to see in Retalhuleu Department?A los Trabajadores, Al Indígena de los Pumpos, Bomberos voluntarios Por su trabajo, Busto José Javier Morán
- What time zone is Retalhuleu Department in?UTC−6
- What currency is used in Retalhuleu Department?Quetzal (GTQ)
- What language is spoken in Retalhuleu Department?Spanish (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Retalhuleu Department?317 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Retalhuleu Department?Settlements lie between 1 m and 891 m
- What is the best time to visit Retalhuleu Department?November to April
- How many hospitals are in Retalhuleu Department?22 mapped
- How many banks are in Retalhuleu Department?34 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Retalhuleu Department?30 mapped
- What is the P-code of Retalhuleu Department?GT11 (OCHA common operational dataset)