El Asintal is a municipality in Retalhuleu department with a population of 36,882 in the 2018 census (INE). Key highlights: Home to the Takalik Abaj UNESCO World Heritage Site (Q50 foreigners / Q5 nationals, open daily 7:00-17:00 per the Ministerio de Cultura), Major archaeological tourism destination, Olmec-Maya transitional culture. For department-level data, see Retalhuleu. Check the latest exchange rates and cost of living data.
Municipal Services
The Municipalidad de El Asintal provides local government services including boleto de ornato (annual municipal tax), IUSI (property tax payments), and basic civil registry services. For national-level procedures such as obtaining a DPI (national ID) at RENAP, tax filings at SAT, or police reports at the PNC departmental headquarters, residents typically travel to Retalhuleu, the capital of Retalhuleu department. For a complete guide to government procedures, visit our tramites guide.
How to Get There
ElAsintal is approximately 131 km from Guatemala City in a straight line. Road distance is longer and varies by route; the main route goes through Retalhuleu department.
From Guatemala City:
- By bus: This page does not name a bus operator, terminal or fare: we print those only from an operator’s own timetable. Our sourced route guide for Retalhuleu department: Guatemala City to Retalhuleu and the IRTRA parks.
- By car: Take the main highway through Retalhuleu. Road conditions vary; check CONRED for updates.
- By shuttle: The transport hub lists the shuttle routes we have checked against the sellers’ own timetables.
Check our transportation guide and today’s gas prices.
Local Festivals & Ferias
El Asintal celebrates 2 festivals throughout the year:
- Feria de San José — date not confirmed by an official source
- Feria de Navidad — date not confirmed by an official source
Guatemala’s ferias feature traditional dances, marimba music, processions, food stalls, and community celebrations. See our complete ferias calendar for feria dates by municipality.
Local Costs & Services
Live price links for ElAsintal (Retalhuleu department):
- Current fuel prices: see our gas prices page.
- Exchange rate: Check today’s live rate
Compare remittance rates and check the cost of living calculator for detailed budgets.
Safety Overview
The safety score in the Key Stats section above is our own map rating, not an official figure.
Emergency contacts:
- CONRED (disaster): 119
- Police (PNC): 110
- Fire department: 122
- Cruz Roja (Red Cross): 125
- Tourist assistance (ASISTUR, INGUAT): 1500
Read our full Guatemala safety guide for department-by-department data.
Explore Retalhuleu Department
ElAsintal is one of the municipalities in Retalhuleu department. Explore nearby areas and compare data across the region.
Useful links:
- Retalhuleu department overview
- Exchange rates — updated daily
- Remittance comparison — find the cheapest way to send money
- Weather forecast — current conditions
- Guatemala safety map — department-by-department