← Back to Zacapa Department

San Diego, Zacapa: Safety, Cost & Attractions (2026)

Population (2018 census, INE): 7,235

Where is San Diego?

San Diego is located in the department of Zacapa, 80.4 km from Guatemala City and 33.3 km from Zacapa (department capital) .

Guatemala City
80.4 km
Zacapa
33.3 km
View on map
14.7897°, -89.7763° →

Distances are straight-line. Coordinates from OpenStreetMap.

Key Stats

The safety and internet scores and the monthly cost in this section are our own map ratings and estimates, not official figures. For official data, see the sources cited in the page text.

🛡
Safety
--
💰
Monthly Cost
--
📶
Internet
--

Where to Stay in San Diego

Find accommodation in San Diego — from hotels to entire homes.

Affiliate links — if you book, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

San Diego is a municipality in Zacapa department with a population of 7,235 in the 2018 census (INE). Key highlights: Smallest municipality in Zacapa, Quiet agricultural community, Traditional eastern Guatemala culture. For department-level data, see Zacapa. Check the latest exchange rates and cost of living data.

Municipal Services

The Municipalidad de San Diego handles local government services including boleto de ornato (annual residence tax), IUSI (property tax), construction permits, and municipal business licenses.

For national government services, the Zacapa department capital Zacapa has the nearest offices for:

  • RENAP – DPI (cedula/national ID), birth certificates, marriage records
  • SAT – NIT (tax ID), fiscal registration, import/export paperwork
  • PNC – police services, reports, background checks

For step-by-step instructions on any government procedure, see our complete tramites guide.

How to Get There

SanDiegoZacapa is approximately 80 km from Guatemala City in a straight line. Road distance is longer and varies by route; the main route goes through Zacapa 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. The transport hub lists every route we have checked against an operator’s own timetable.
  • By car: Take the main highway through Zacapa. 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

SanDiegoZacapa celebrates 1 festival throughout the year:

  • Feria de San Diego de Alcalá (Patron: San Diego de Alcalá) — November 12

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 SanDiegoZacapa (Zacapa department):

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 Zacapa Department

SanDiegoZacapa is one of the municipalities in Zacapa department. Explore nearby areas and compare data across the region.

Useful links:

FAQ

Where is San Diego located?

San Diego is located in the Zacapa department of Guatemala. It is 80.4 km from Guatemala City and 33.3 km from Zacapa, the department capital.

Is San Diego safe?

The safety score in the Key Stats section is our own map rating, not an official figure. See our safety guide for the homicide data we can source.

How much does it cost to live in San Diego?

The monthly cost in the Key Stats section is our own map estimate with no published source. Our cost of living guide covers the costs we can source.

What is San Diego known for?

San Diego is known for smallest municipality in zacapa, quiet agricultural community, traditional eastern guatemala culture.

What government offices are in San Diego?

The Municipalidad in San Diego handles local services: boleto de ornato, IUSI property tax, and municipal licenses. For national services like RENAP (DPI/cedula), SAT (tax/NIT), and PNC, you will need to go to Zacapa (Zacapa department capital). See our complete tramites guide for step-by-step procedures.

What are the main festivals in San Diego?

San Diego participates in national celebrations like Semana Santa, Independence Day (Sep 15), and local cultural events. Check our ferias calendar for its feria patronal date.

Is there good internet in San Diego?

We have no sourced internet speed data for this town; the internet figure in the Key Stats section is our own estimate. Check Tigo and Claro coverage for your exact address before you rely on it for work, and keep a mobile hotspot as backup. See our internet guide for coverage details.

What is the nearest hospital to San Diego?

The nearest hospital is the Hospital Nacional in Zacapa (Zacapa department capital). Local health centers (Centros de Salud) in San Diego handle basic medical needs. For specialized or emergency care, Guatemala City hospitals (Roosevelt, San Juan de Dios) are the reference facilities.

Data from locations.json, government sources, and field surveys

Related Resources