Situated at a height of above sea level, El Progreso borders the municipality of Monjas to the north, the municipality of Jutiapa to the south and west, and the municipalities of Santa Catarina Mita and Asunción Mita in the department of Jutiapa to the east. The western part of the municipality contains part of the river basin of the Ostúa River and the Las Aradas hills. Other rivers include the Apantes, Chiquito, Morán and San Pedro rivers. The municipality contains the main town of El Progreso, 8 villages and 17 hamlets. The Suchitan volcano is nearby and the Pan American Highway passes to the south of the main town, connecting it with Jutiapa to the southwest.