Chontales geographically primarily consists of the slopes around Lake Cocibolca, the Serranía Chontaleña range and rolling hills that undulate towards the Caribbean plain.

The shoreline of Lake Cocibolca within the department is about 90 kilometres (56 mi), between the mouths of the Tecolostote and Oyate rivers.

The estates along the shore of the lake and along the road to Rama contain many plains and wet pastures to accommodate for cattle herds.

[3] The department contains the Arqueológico Gregorio Aguilar Barea, which has a number of indigenous artifacts attesting to the socio-cultural development of the people of Chontales throughout history.

The Museo Comunitario Juigalpan María Ramos in Juigalpa reveals much about the history and identity of the region.