San José Acatempa

San José Acatempa is a municipality in the Jutiapa department of Guatemala.

San Jose Acatempa received its current name in 1944 by order of the General Jorge Ubico. The town was previously known by the name of Azacualpa, and during the colonial period, the region was known as Valle de Zacualpa. One of the first towns founded by the Spanish conquistadors in 1525 under the command of General Don Pedro de Alvarado, which was on route to conquer the region of the old kingdom of Cuzcatlan which covered what is now parts of southeastern Guatemala and the republic of El Salvador.

According to historic records, the region was originally occupied by indigenous people. These indigenous tribes were subjugated by groups of families of conquistadors denominated as gypsies. Among the original gypsy families of which took over these indigenous lands where the family surnames of: Garcia, Pineda, Castillo, Boteo, among others. The surname of Segura was added later, which according to records was begun by the arrival of the colonel of the colonial Spanish army Carlos Segura in the early 19th century. Coronel Segura later took the charge of commandant of the army in Azacualpa.

Currently, San Jose Acatempa is a municipality with an estimated population of approximately 11,000. The population is primarily dedicated to the cultivation of coffee commodity. Its people are known for their genuine hospitality with which they receive its visitors with open arms.