San Mateo is in Quetzaltenango department, with a population of 7,895 in the 2018 census (INE). Known for tiny village near xela and highland.
Safety & Connectivity: The safety score in the Key Stats section is our own map rating, not an official figure. Main concerns: very small, no services, cold. We have no sourced internet speed data for this town; check Tigo and Claro coverage for your exact address. Check our internet guide for detailed ISP coverage.
Cost of Living: The monthly cost in the Key Stats section is our own map estimate with no published source. Check today’s exchange rate and our cost of living comparison.
Local Festivals: Feria de San Mateo (September 21) (patron: San Mateo Apóstol). Guatemala’s feria season brings parades, live music, food stalls, and traditional dances. See our festivals calendar for dates across all departments.
For department-level data, see Quetzaltenango. Check the latest exchange rates and cost of living data.
Municipal Services
The Municipalidad de San Mateo 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 Quetzaltenango department capital Quetzaltenango 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.
Local Festivals & Ferias
SanMateo celebrates 1 festival throughout the year:
- Feria de San Mateo (Patron: San Mateo Apóstol) — September 21
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 SanMateo (Quetzaltenango 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 Quetzaltenango Department
SanMateo is one of the municipalities in Quetzaltenango department. Explore nearby areas and compare data across the region.
Useful links:
- Quetzaltenango 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