San Mateo Ixtatán is a municipality located in the department of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Situated at an elevation of 2,540 metres (8,330 ft) within the Cuchumatanes mountain range, the municipality covers a total area of 560 km². The region is characterized by a cold climate and a cloud forest environment, with temperatures typically fluctuating between 0.5 and 20 °C.
The town serves as a municipal center for a population of approximately 39,090 people, including the 15,090 residents of the town itself and 28,000 individuals living in surrounding mountain villages. The local population belongs to the Chuj Maya ethnic group and speaks the Mayan Chuj language. Notable cultural features include a weekly market held on Thursdays and Sundays, as well as an annual festival from September 19 to September 21 honoring Saint Matthew.