Cihuatan Ruins - the largest in El Salvador

Cihuatan are the largest archaeological ruins in El Salvador boasting a total of 75 hectares.

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This is a really beautiful site located about 36 km north of San Salvador near the city of Aguilares in the valley of the Guazapa volcano.

Cihuatan 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 Cihuatan, show a connection with other cultures of the region like 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 Cihuatan are open to the public so people can explore what has been discovered:

• Pyramids
• Ceremonial centers
• Artifacts

Below you can see a picture of the circular temple site. Can you can see the Guazapa volcano way in the back? It kind of looks the silhouette of a woman lying down!

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

These ruins of Cihuatan are located about 3.5 km past Aguilares along the main highway. As a matter of fact, you can actually see the main pyramid from the highway.

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 and other busy hands, so is better to just avoid it.

The entrance to the ancient site is well marked on both sides of the road so you can't get lost.

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:

There is a nice picnic area and a concession stand for people who are spending the whole day here. There is also an on-site museum where you can see some of the neat artifacts that have been found here.

I know that it can get a bit hot in the afternoon in this area, so make sure to bring a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself.

After a visit to Cihuatan ruins in Aguilares, you can stop by Suchitoto, a beautiful colonial town in El Salvador with a rich history and cultural events.

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.

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.

Joya de Cerén - The Pompeii of the Americas...

San Andrés - A Regional Capital of the classic period...

Tazumal and Casa Blanca - Some of the highest pyramids in the region...

Other tourist attractions - Parks, must-see towns and places...

Credits: FUNDAR - www.fundar.org.sv