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San Salvador Archaeology

Our most recommended San Salvador Archaeology

Combo Day Tour: Volcanoes and Mayan Sites

1. Combo Day Tour: Volcanoes and Mayan Sites

During this El Salvador Combo Day Tour you will visit the main highlights of El Salvador: The Volcanoes, Lake and Mayan Sites of the country. First, visit the volcanoes and lakes of El Salvador. Cataloged as the “2nd 8th Wonder of the World for 2013″: the “Lake and Volcano Complex” in El Salvador is one of the most popular tourist destinations of the country as its bring together one of the most beautiful lakes in the world and a group of the most amazing volcanoes of El Salvador: The Izalco Volcano, The Santa Ana Volcano and Cerro Verde Volcano. Visit the Natural Protected Area of Cerro Verde and take a refreshing sigthseeing tour through the eco trails of the park (45 minutes approximately). Cerro Verde is an inactive volcano located at an altitude of 2035 meters and length of 500 hectares of nature, it has a cloud forest in and around the crater with a temperature of between 12 and 18 degrees centigrade. From here you will enjoy panoramic views of Izalco Volcano better know as the “Lighthouse of the Pacific” because the boats were oriented with the red glow of the lava to reach the Acajutla port, the Santa Ana Volcano or “Ilamatepec Volcano” being the biggest volcano of the area, and the beauty of the nature in the surroundings of this National Park. It is a place where you will be surrounded by the wilderness or “dwarf forest”, where you can find pasture and some low-lying bushes, giant agaves, among others. The landscape is unique in Mesoamerica and it definitely worth the visit. Next, continúe to the Mayan Suites área of El Salvador. On the way you will have an amazing panoramic view of the volcanic lake “Coatepeque”, cataloged amongst the most beautiful of the world. During the afternoon, discover this fascinating civilization through the visit of the “Joya de Cerén”: the famous archaeological site known as “The Pompeii of the Americas” and declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1993 for its valuable contribution to daily life of the ancestors of the Mayan World. Then continue the tour and visit the ruins of “San Andrés”, a very important ceremonial and political center that has several structures used by the governors of that civilization. In this important sire there are remains of an Indigo Mill that was buried by the eruption of El Playon in 1658. Definitly a whole differente experience! What are you waiting for?

From San Salvador: Mayan Heritage Archaeological Tour

2. From San Salvador: Mayan Heritage Archaeological Tour

Visit the most important Mayan sites in El Salvador on a full-day guided tour. Throughout the experience, your professional and local guide will explain to your small group all there is to know. Start with San Andrès, a large Mayan city that was preserved by layers of ash from a nearby volcano eruption. Get a glimpse into the life of the regular Mayan people and learn about the drink of the kings. Then continue to Tazumal, the largest pyramid in the country with a unique drainage system created by Mayans. Enjoy its museum and explore important historical artifacts. Learn how Mayans dyed fabrics using plants at Casa Blanca, a separate archeological park but once part of a single community which included Tazumal. In Chalchuapa, see some Spanish buildings left over by the conquistadores. End your day with a meal in a restaurant overlooking the Coatepeque lake.

From San Salvador: Archeological Route Full-Day Tour

3. From San Salvador: Archeological Route Full-Day Tour

Get to know the world of the Mayas who once lived in El Salvador on a full-day archeological tour from San Salvador. Visit the archaeological site of Joya de Cerén, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Pompeii of America. This site is unique in the world as it is the only archeological site where you can see the actual former dwelling places of the Mayas. Then visit the ruins of San Andrés, a political-ceremonial site where you can see the indigo pools in the area. This quick tour will take you back in time as you learn how the Mayas lived years ago. Later explore the city of Santa Ana with its Gothic cathedral, theater, and National Palace.  After Santa Ana see the ruins of Tazumal, a sophisticated Maya settlement. The ruins of Tazumal are considered the most important and best preserved in El Salvador. Virtually untouched since the year 1200 when it was abandoned, this archeological site provides an amazing look into the Maya ceremonial architecture.

From San Salvador: Pablo Tesak Museum Tour and Cihuatán

4. From San Salvador: Pablo Tesak Museum Tour and Cihuatán

Start the tour with a convenient pickup from your hotel in San Salvador and set off to Centro Cultural Pablo Tesak, the largest private museum in the country. Created for the education of young generations, it is home to an extensive private collection filled with beautiful and original pieces from all over El Salvador.   Next, continue to Cihuatán, a major pre-Columbian archaeological site that used to be home to a large city in the extreme south of the Mesoamerican cultural area. The town had a defense wall and, according to experts, it suffered a war in its final days.   Visit Cihuatán Archaeological Site, one of the most important archaeological treasures of El Salvador where recent excavations show the well-designed acropolis with a palace, pyramids, and a ball field. See the grounds and museum before returning to San Salvador.

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What people are saying about San Salvador

Overall rating

4.1 / 5

based on 15 reviews

Informative, professional, friendly

First station volcano, walk together, could also be designed individually. Second station volcano lake (view) with food. San Andreas (hot museum) Joyen der Ceren (insight into parts of the museum that are temporarily closed for visitors) Comprehensively informed tour guide who also speaks perfect English. A successful day, the trip on the Panamericana and seeing the transport habits make the trip worthwhile.

This was an all day tour that involved some hiking with stairs. But Benjamin spoke good English and was incredibly informative. I learned so much in one day that I will carry with me for a lifetime! I saw active volcanoes, cloud forest, Crater lake, Mayan Ruins and Pyramids.

The Mayan Heritage tour is spectacular and I encourage everybody to experience the southern most Mayan civilization in El Salvador!

The Guide was very friendly ..... the tour was incredible ..... beautiful places

Great tour with a very knowledgable guide, enjoyed it a lot!