Matagalpa (Spanish pronunciation: [mataˈɣalpa]) is a department in central Nicaragua.

Matagalpa is the second largest region of the country in population size, and the fifth in area (after the North Atlantic, the South Atlantic, Jinotega and Río San Juan).

Matagalpa is the most diversified region producing coffee, cattle, milk products, vegetables, wood, gold, flowers.

Its extensive forests, rivers and geography are suited for ecotourism.

Although the Cacaopera people constitute the majority of the indigenous inhabitants in Matagalpa, the Nahua people inhabit the Sebaco valley, one of the most fertile areas in Nicaragua.