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Santa Maria Cahabon, Alta Verapaz: Safety, Cost & Attractions (2026)

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Where is Santa Maria Cahabon?

Santa Maria Cahabon is located in the department of Alta Verapaz, 131.3 km from Guatemala City and 61.6 km from Cobán (department capital) .

Guatemala City
131.3 km
Cobán
61.6 km
View on map
15.6061°, -89.8117° →

Distances are straight-line. Coordinates from OpenStreetMap.

Key Stats

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Where to Stay in Santa Maria Cahabon

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Santa Maria Cahabon is a municipality in Alta Verapaz department with a population of 66,597 at 250m elevation (tropical lowlands). The area has a safety score of 7/10 (generally safe with normal precautions), monthly living cost around $350. Key highlights: Tropical lowlands, Cahabon River, Q’eqchi’ Maya culture. For department-level data, see Alta Verapaz. Check the latest exchange rates and cost of living data.

Municipal Services

The Municipalidad de Santa Maria Cahabon 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 Alta Verapaz department capital Coban 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.

Climate & Weather

SantaMariaCahabon sits at 250m elevation in the tropical lowlands (tierra caliente). Typical temperatures range from 25-38C. Hot and humid year-round. AC recommended. Rainy season (May-Oct) brings heavy afternoon showers.

For current conditions and forecasts, see our weather page.

Local Festivals & Ferias

SantaMariaCahabon celebrates 3 festivals throughout the year:

  • Rabin Ajau (Festival Folklorico Nacional) — July 1
  • Fiesta de Santo Domingo (Coban) — August 1
  • Festival de Orquideas — December 1

Guatemala’s ferias feature traditional dances, marimba music, processions, food stalls, and community celebrations. See our complete ferias calendar for dates across all 337 municipalities.

Local Costs & Services

Key cost data for SantaMariaCahabon (Alta Verapaz department):

  • Gas price: Q32.77/gallon regular (Q33.92 premium)
  • Exchange rate: Check today’s live rate

Compare remittance rates and check the cost of living calculator for detailed budgets.

Safety Overview

Safety score: 7/10 (Generally safe). Generally safe for visitors. Standard travel precautions apply. Tourist areas are well-patrolled.

Emergency contacts:

  • CONRED (disaster): 1566
  • Police (PNC): 110
  • Fire department: 122
  • Ambulance: 128
  • Tourist police (PROATUR): 1500

Read our full Guatemala safety guide for department-by-department data.

Explore Alta Verapaz Department

SantaMariaCahabon is one of the municipalities in Alta Verapaz department. Explore nearby areas and compare data across the region.

Useful links:

FAQ

Where is Santa Maria Cahabon located?

Santa Maria Cahabon is located in the Alta Verapaz department of Guatemala. It is 131.3 km from Guatemala City and 61.6 km from Cobán, the department capital.

Is Santa Maria Cahabon safe?

Santa Maria Cahabon has a safety score of 7/10. Generally safe with normal precautions.

How much does it cost to live in Santa Maria Cahabon?

Monthly living costs in Santa Maria Cahabon are approximately $350. This is in Alta Verapaz department.

What is Santa Maria Cahabon known for?

Santa Maria Cahabon is known for tropical lowlands, cahabon river, q'eqchi' maya culture.

What government offices are in Santa Maria Cahabon?

The Municipalidad in Santa Maria Cahabon 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 Coban (Alta Verapaz department capital). See our [complete tramites guide](/tramites/) for step-by-step procedures.

What are the main festivals in Santa Maria Cahabon?

Every municipality in Guatemala celebrates its feria patronal (patron saint festival), usually lasting a week with parades, marimba music, traditional dances, and food stalls. Santa Maria Cahabon also participates in national celebrations like Semana Santa, Independence Day (Sep 15), and local cultural events. Check our [ferias calendar](/ferias/) for exact dates.

Is there good internet in Santa Maria Cahabon?

Internet in Santa Maria Cahabon is limited. Tigo and Claro provide basic 4G coverage in the town center, but speeds are typically 5-15 Mbps. Fiber is generally not available in rural Alta Verapaz. A mobile hotspot is recommended as backup. See our [internet guide](/internet/) for coverage details.

What is the nearest hospital to Santa Maria Cahabon?

The nearest hospital is the Hospital Nacional in Coban (Alta Verapaz department capital). Local health centers (Centros de Salud) in Santa Maria Cahabon 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

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