Mayan Ruins in El Salvador

No visit to El Salvador would be complete
without a visit to one of the many Mayan Ruins.

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Here you can go back in time about 1,400 years ago and see what life was like then. See how people lived, their tools, dwelling places and how they worked for a living long before the discovery of the Americas!

So far, about 1000 Mayan ruins have been discovered in El Salvador although not all are being excavated yet. The ancient sites that have been opened to the public have museums for people to observe artifacts such as tools used for agriculture and household utensils.

These ancient sites have good access to them and there are picnic areas and concession stands as well as souvenir shops with excellent replicas of the many artifacts that have been found in the ruins.

On this page you will find information about the most popular archaeological sites in El Salvador. We hope that if you are planning a vacation to El Salvador you will include them on your "things to see" list for a more complete experience

Some of them are: Joya de Cerén, San Andrés, Tazumal, Casa Blanca and Cihuatán

Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, Joya de Cerén offers a glimpse into the agricultural based village that once lived here. Buried twice by volcanic eruptions, it is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Americas.

Findings on this ancient site prove that San Andrés had business dealings with the Mayans in Copán (Honduras), Teotihuacán (Mexico) as well as with other Mayan villages in Belize and Guatemala; making it an important and influential Mayan center in the region.

The Mayan ruins of Joya de Cerén and San Andrés are 2 sites that are not too far from each other, in La Libertad, so you can squeeze a trip to both of them in one day after spending some time at one of the beaches in La Libertad!

The findings on this site indicate that it was occupied during the late Classic period and was built the same way as other Toltec centers. Tazumal consists of a group of buildings that formed the life line of a very important and sophisticated people. It covers an area of about 10sq km, but it's not fully excavated.

Among the well preserved discoveries are tombs, pyramids, palaces, water drainage systems and many other artifacts as well as a prized life-size statue of their god Xipe Totec.

The name Casa Blanca is taken from the coffee plantation farm that occupied the land, but the archaeological site dates back to the Pre-Classic and Classic periods.

These Mayan ruins mentioned above form what in El Salvador is called La Ruta Arqueológica or the Archaeological route, which is the route and sights suggested for tourists by tourism agencies.

But there is one more of the Mayan ruins that I would like to mention, and that is Cihuatán.

It is believed that it was named Cihuatán because when looking at the Guazapa hills, they look like the silhouette of a woman lying down - I know, look at the picture here and you'll see that it really does!.

Excavations here have demonstrated that Cihuatán was an urban city with a significant population and with large ceremonial centers. Up to now, 3 platforms in what was the city center have been discovered along with pyramids, palaces and playgrounds and many clay and ceramic artifacts.

As you see, the many Mayan ruins in El Salvador really add a historical flavour to its culture.

So while you are here you can re-visit ancient times by exploring these archaeological ruins and at the same time, enjoy the comfort and fun adventures of today's world.

Have you visited these ruins in El Salvador, then tell us about it, how did you like them, what did you think of them? Tell us about your trip!!

So come and explore El Salvador, you'll be surprised at all the good things you'll see here! Click here to find out more about El Salvador.

Other Archeological Ruins

Credits: Fundacion Nacional de Arqueologia de El Salvador - FUNDAR