Where It's Located
The Retalhuleu Guatemala Temple will be located at Km. 182.5 RN-9, Caserío Puca I, San Sebastián, Retalhuleu, Guatemala. The temple site covers approximately 5.51 acres (2.2 hectares) in southwestern Guatemala, not far from the Pacific coast. The property sits at an elevation of approximately 978 feet (298 meters).
Retalhuleu is located in Guatemala's warm southwestern lowlands, providing a very different environment from the mountainous highlands around Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango. The region is known for its tropical climate, agricultural lands, and proximity to the Pacific coastline.
Getting There
Travelers from the United States will generally begin their journey through La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City. From the capital, Retalhuleu is several hours away by road, making this a destination best incorporated into a broader trip through southwestern Guatemala.
The journey can be especially rewarding for travelers who want to experience more of Guatemala beyond its capital. Retalhuleu provides access to the Pacific lowlands, while nearby attractions include archaeological sites, nature areas, and Guatemala's Pacific coast.
Because the temple is still in the planning phase, travelers should not yet plan a temple visit around a specific opening date.
A Bit of History
The Retalhuleu Guatemala Temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson on April 2, 2023, during the April 2023 General Conference. When completed, it will become Guatemala's sixth temple.
The announcement represents another significant step in the expansion of temple access throughout Guatemala. The country's first temple, the Guatemala City Guatemala Temple, was dedicated in December 1984 and was the first temple built in Central America. The Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple followed in 2011.
When the Retalhuleu Temple was announced, other temples in Guatemala were also at various stages of development, reflecting the continued expansion of temple worship throughout the country.
The first Latter-day Saint missionaries arrived in Guatemala in 1947. Today, the country has approximately 287,000 Latter-day Saints organized into nearly 440 congregations.
Temple Site and Rendering
An important milestone occurred on March 31, 2025, when the Church announced the location of the temple and released its official exterior rendering. The 5.51-acre property at Km. 182.5 RN-9 in San Sebastián was selected as the site for the future temple.
The release of the rendering gives members and the public their first official look at what the completed temple is expected to look like.
The planned building will feature a single attached central tower with a flat roof, giving it a clean and contemporary appearance.
Current Construction Status
The Retalhuleu Guatemala Temple is still in the planning and approval phase. No groundbreaking date has been announced.
This means that construction has not yet begun, and there are currently no announced dates for a public open house or dedication.
The next major milestone will likely be the announcement of a groundbreaking ceremony. Once construction begins, additional details about the temple's size, interior layout, landscaping, and completion timeline may become available.
Guatemala's Growing Temple Presence
The Retalhuleu Temple is part of a remarkable period of temple expansion in Guatemala.
The country already has the Guatemala City Guatemala Temple and Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple, while additional temples have been announced or are progressing through construction and planning. The Cobán Guatemala Temple, Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple, and Huehuetenango Guatemala Temple represent other recent additions to Guatemala's growing collection of houses of the Lord.
This expansion is particularly meaningful in a country where geography can make temple travel difficult. Guatemala has dramatic differences in elevation and terrain, and traveling between distant regions can require several hours by road.
The distribution of additional temples throughout the country will make temple worship more accessible to members living far from Guatemala City and other major population centers.
Visiting Retalhuleu
Although the future temple will be a sacred house of the Lord, it will not be open for general interior tours once operating. Public access to the interior would normally occur during a designated open house before dedication.
For now, travelers interested in the project will need to wait for additional announcements regarding construction and future open-house dates.
Retalhuleu itself is worth considering as part of a broader Guatemalan itinerary. The region's tropical environment and Pacific-coast location contrast sharply with the cooler mountain climate found around Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango.
Travelers could potentially combine a future temple visit with exploration of Guatemala's Pacific lowlands, making the trip an opportunity to experience both the spiritual significance of the temple and the country's diverse landscapes.
Final Thoughts
The Retalhuleu Guatemala Temple represents an exciting new chapter in the growth of temple worship in Guatemala. As the country's sixth announced temple, it will bring a house of the Lord to the southwestern portion of the country and provide greater access for Latter-day Saints living in and around Retalhuleu and Guatemala's Pacific lowlands.
The project is still in its early stages, but the March 2025 site announcement and official rendering marked important progress. With a 5.51-acre site already selected and the temple's exterior design publicly released, the project now awaits the next major milestone: a groundbreaking date.
For Latter-day Saint travelers from the United States, the future Retalhuleu Guatemala Temple will offer an opportunity to explore a less-traveled part of Guatemala while visiting another important landmark in the worldwide growth of temple worship.
Scott & Riah
Brough Made
broughmade.com
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