The name of the town Esquipulas comes from the native “Ch’orti” language meaning “risen land” and is located some 190 km southeast of Guatemala City.

During the 18th century many Spanish immigrants were attracted by the colourful and fertile valleys of the Chiquimula Department as well as by its strong catholic foundations. The Black Christ located in the captivating basilica of the town Esquipulas has become a unique religious relic attracting every year in January and March thousands of pilgrims that arrive to town to become part of the religious processions. This numerous pilgrimage year by year has honoured Esquipulas as the “Central American Capital of Faith”.

Coffee production may be “new” to Nuevo Oriente, but it already has a storied past. The Catholic Church was responsible for bringing and distributing the first coffee seeds in the region since 1950. Today the region is known for its fine coffee and the winning farm of the first Guatemalan Coffee Internet Auction came actually from Esquipulas.