In the pre-colonial era, the region had a strong Mam presence, although there was Toltec influence, as well as periods of K’iche ‘ hegemony. The political and religious center of the Mam region was Zaculeu, until the fall of its cacique Caibil Balam in 1525, after a long siege imposed by the troops of Gonzalo de Alvarado. One hundred and forty archaeological sites show the pre-Hispanic historical and cultural richness of the department. From the colonial era, fascinating witnesses are the Silver Virgin of the church in Chiantla as well as the church of San Mateo Ixtatán among others. While Many legends still live in all these places.

The population of the department is close to one million people (8% of the country’s population) of which 65% is indigenous with an evident diversity of more than nine different languages (Akateko, Awakateko, Chuj, K’iche ‘, Mam, Pópti, Q ‘anjob’al , Tektiko and Spanish). Ladino communities are found mainly at the southern, northern, and western shores of the sierra, because of injustices in history, indigenous people were relegated to the higher and more remote lands of the center and east. Migration, in search of work and as a complement to subsistence agriculture, has become a constant for rural population, initially for the coffee harvests and more recently towards the US. Huehuetenango was also one of the most affected departments by the civil war during the 1980s.

In spite of its cultural richness, beauty and natural diversity, the department of Huehuetenango is little developed touristically. This makes Huehuetenango a destination for the daring, who want to get off the beaten track and who will be rewarded by the authenticity of the places and their people.