Archaeological Ruins

Cihuatán

Cihuatán are the largest archaeological ruins in El Salvador boasting a total of 75 hectares. This beautiful site is located about 36 km north of San Salvador near the town of Aguilares in the valley of the Guazapa volcano.

Cihuátan came about after the collapse of the Mayans around the year 900 C.E. and it quickly became a regional capital. It was strategically located in the valley of Guazapa which was created by the rivers of Acelhuate and Lempa. Its inhabitants were called Cihuatecos.

The culture, architecture and other artifacts found in Cihuatán, reflect a connection with other cultures to the north and east, especially with Veracruz in Mexico. There is also evidence of strong trade ties with other cultures in the rest of the Central American region.

These are some of the cool artifacts that have been found here. Pretty amazing, they already had the wheel!

Part of the archaeological ruins of Cihuatán are open to the public so people can explore what has been discovered:

• Pyramids
• Ceremonial centers
• Artifacts

Below is a picture of the circular temple site. You can see the Guazapa volcano way in the back, it sure does look the silhouette of a woman lying down!

Research and excavations indicate that Cihuatán ended with fire just after a century of being founded. Burnt debris has been found inside the temples and houses, and archaeologists say that this must have happened around the year 1100 C.E.

These ruins were first visited by an archaeologist around 1925 and prepared the very first blueprints of the the site, but it wasn't until the year 1929 when they were first excavated.

This ancient site is definitely worth a visit and being just a short trip from San Salvador, it very easy to get there.

How to get there

Bus service to this area is available and it is frequent, but if at all possible I would recommend driving or arranging a trip with a tour company. The buses can get pretty crowded which makes it easier for pick pocketing, so is better to just avoid it.

The entrance to the ancient site is well marked on both sides of the road. Parking signs are visible as well.

Hours of operation:

• Open Tuesday - Sunday from 9am to 4pm
• Admission: $3.00 for tourists, $1.00 for locals and free for children under 8 and adults over 60
• Parking is $1.00

Amenities:

A picnic area and a concession stand are available in the park for those who want to spend the whole day here. There is also an on-site museum showcasing all the neat artifacts that have been found here.

It can get a bit hot in the afternoon, so make sure to bring a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself.

This is just one of the many archaeological ruins that have been discovered in El Salvador, but there's more, so click here to read about some of the others.

After a visit to Cihuatán, you can stop by Suchitoto a beautiful traditional town in El Salvador with a rich history that dates back to the colonial era.

Thanks to the efforts of several Salvadorean organizations such as FUNDAR (National Foundation of Archaeology of El Salvador) and CONCULTURA (National Committee for Culture and Art); the archaeological ruins of El Salvador are being protected as part of the national heritage.

These ruins continue to be excavated giving Salvadoreans and the rest of the world the opportunity to learn more about ancient civilizations.

So if you are planning a vacation to El Salvador, make sure to make time to visit this and other ancient sites in the area.

Credits: FUNDAR - www.fundar.org.sv

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