Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan is a municipality located in the Sololá department of Guatemala. Situated at an altitude of approximately 2,300 metres (7,500 ft), the town is positioned within the steep mountains of the Sierra Madre range, which descend from the western highlands toward the southern coastal plain.
The primary indigenous language spoken in the region is Kʼicheʼ. The municipality was significantly impacted by large landslides during hurricane Mitch in 1998. Following this disaster, many residents relocated to higher ground a year later to establish the village of Nueva Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan. This new settlement is located within the independent township of Nahualá in an area known as Chwi Pataan.