[2] During the colonial era, San Andrés Sajcabajá functioned as a staging place, between Joyabaj and Sacapulas, on the road (camino real) connecting the Guatemalan capital (then located in Tecpán) to Chiapas.

[1] In recent history, San Andrés Sajcabajá suffered the consequences of the 36 year Guatemalan civil war (1960–1996).

These consequences were especially hard felt in the years 1981-1984, when the Guatemalan army established a military garrison in the town's Catholic convent, and began a campaign of unprecedented repression against the population.

[3] The municipality of San Andrés Sajcabajá is situated in the Sierra de Chuacús mountain range.

The town and its rural communities are located at an altitude between 1,000 and 2,000 m. Its climate is temperate, with mean temperatures oscillating between 12 °C and 24 °C, and an annual precipitation between 1,000 – 2,000 mm.