Mayan Exploration: Tazumal + Pompeii of America + San Andres Ceremonial Center
Overview
We will start early in the morning heading to one of the archaeological sites that has amazed archaeologists and visitors from different parts of the world. Our first stop on this tour is Joya de Ceren.
Inclusions
- National Park fees
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup
- Hotel drop-off
- Small Groups
- Entry/Admission - Sitio Arqueológico San Andrés
- Entry/Admission - Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park
- Entry/Admission - Tazumal
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park, Km 32, Carr San Juan Opico - Agua Escondida, San Salvador El Salvador
First of all this is an archaeological site completely different from a Mayan temple. Joya de Ceren is the remains of a Mayan agricultural village of about 1400 years old. Loma Caldera volcanos covered it by 14 layers of ashes. The ash that covered Joya de Ceren preserved it intact. Allowing to preserve in time the different structures, which now give us a broad vision of what life was like and the activities of ordinary people. In the different archaeological sites of mesoamerica, you can see in the temples how the important people of the time lived. But only Joya de Ceren lets you see how the town lived. Among the things found are: houses, storage rooms, communal houses, temazcal sauna, kitchen, corn plantations, etc
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Sitio Arqueológico San Andrés, RJ26+77P, CA 1, San Juan Opico, El Salvador
San Andres will be our second point to visit in this itinerary. Probably Joya de Ceren inhabitants used this ceremonial political center to pay tribute. Because they are only 5 km away from each other. It has also been cataloged as a Mayan lordship that ruled over the area probably from 500 AD to 900 AD.
The place is divided into two areas, the first called La Gran Plaza, which was the commercial and residential area of the area. Here is also the largest pyramid on this site, called La Campana. The second part of this site is the Acropolis. This was the ceremonial and exclusive area where there are 4 Pyramids and 2 basal constructions that were considered a place of residence for rulers.
Studies have shown that San Andres had business alliances with other important contemporary Mayan cities such as Copan, Teotihuacan, even with Belize and El Peten.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Lake Coatepeque, Coatepeque El Salvador
This lake, considered by many, maybe one of the most beautiful in the world, is an impressive volcanic caldera. And every year, without prior notice, it gives a fabulous spectacle by changing the color of its waters, from blue to turquoise.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Tazumal, Chalchuapa El Salvador
Finally the archaeological site Tazumal. Near with our border with Guatemala, in the city of Chalchuapa. This is our last point to visit in our itinerary. Numerous studies have shown that in this city there is evidence of human occupation for more than 3200 years. Tazumal is located in the center of this city. The structures of this archaeological site were the site of an important indigenous settlement. Among the constructions found there are tombs, water drainages, but what stands out most is the pyramid. The Tazumal pyramid is 24 meters high and has different construction stages influenced by Toltec, Copan and Teotihuacan culture. In addition tombs have been found with funerary offerings such as: earthenware vessels, necklaces, mirrors, rings, axes and other utensils. Tazumal is a fundamental part of archeology in El Salvador and you can not miss it.
Duration: 45 minutes
Additional information
- Most travelers can participate
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
Rafael es un excelente guía. Adaptó su visita a nuestros deseos y a la climatología. Conoce muy bien la cultura de la zona e informa de forma muy amena. Muy amable, además de la visita nos dio muchas más recomendaciones para aprovechar nuestro viaje. Estaremos varios días en El Salvador, y repeti...
Rafael es un excelente guía. Adaptó su visita a nuestros deseos y a la climatología. Conoce muy bien la cultura de la zona e informa de forma muy amena. Muy amable, además de la visita nos dio muchas más recomendaciones para aprovechar nuestro viaje. Estaremos varios días en El Salvador, y repetiremos seguro.I want to say thank you to Rafael Zelay from eco tours Petate for the amazing tour he gave us yesterday that included Tazumal, Casa Blanca, Lago de Coatepeque and San Andres. Besides the indigent in San Andres where the security didn’t want to allowed us to enter besides getting there before 4:00...
I want to say thank you to Rafael Zelay from eco tours Petate for the amazing tour he gave us yesterday that included Tazumal, Casa Blanca, Lago de Coatepeque and San Andres. Besides the indigent in San Andres where the security didn’t want to allowed us to enter besides getting there before 4:00 pm. And the reason they didn’t want to allowed us to enter was because they were saying that our kids were not vaccinated, even when we show them the vaccination card for my 12 years old son and the PCR test for my 9 years old daughter. They refused to see the proof for my kids and were saying that only my wife and me can enter. When we asked the reasons they didn’t want to see the proof the answer was the administrator says no tourist and not kids. We explain them we just visited the other archeological sites and we can prove it that we didn’t have any problems. Finally we were allowed to enter but the administrator came to talk to our tour guide and was very rude and treating him to report him. We explained her that we didn’t have any problem in the other sites but she keep giving our tour guide a hard time. I just want to bring this to the government attention because the administrator is representing the government and the country and I don’t think this is the first impression the government want to give to tourists either foreigners or locals. So I think they need better training to be able to represent the country and the government. Hopefully this is not going to happen to all tourist . Once again I want to say thank you for everything to Eco Tours PetateIf you appreciate Mayan ruins, culture, and history-this is the tour for you! Our tour guide Francis was extremely knowledgeable. It was a thrill to visit and learn about Joya de Ceren, considered "The Pompeii of the Americas". We also visited the San Andres ruins and climbed to the top of the a...
If you appreciate Mayan ruins, culture, and history-this is the tour for you! Our tour guide Francis was extremely knowledgeable. It was a thrill to visit and learn about Joya de Ceren, considered "The Pompeii of the Americas". We also visited the San Andres ruins and climbed to the top of the acropolis. We had lunch at Lago de Coatepeque considered one of the 10 most beautiful lakes in the world. The food was delicious and the view gorgeous! The day ended with a visit to Tazumal ruins where we picked up our birth stone from the Mayan calendar since there's evidence important knowledge originated from Tazumal for the Mayan calendar and writing system. Great tour filled with Mayan history, ruins, good food, and lovely culture.I had the fortune to take this tour with Mr. Rafael Zelaya who display wide expertise about the mayan culture in el Salvador. Very punctual, very comfortable and desgined to fulfil my needs that day. He took me to a beautiful place to have lunch and then to Casa Blanca and Joya de Cerén which is ...
I had the fortune to take this tour with Mr. Rafael Zelaya who display wide expertise about the mayan culture in el Salvador. Very punctual, very comfortable and desgined to fulfil my needs that day. He took me to a beautiful place to have lunch and then to Casa Blanca and Joya de Cerén which is very impresive Totally recommended,This is a must do tour while in El Salvador! Our tour guide, Osmaro, was a joy to be with and was very knowledgeable about all things Mayan! As some of the sites were closed due to covid19, he added other fun and interesting places to see! Loved the tour and loved spending time with Osmaro!
This is a must do tour while in El Salvador! Our tour guide, Osmaro, was a joy to be with and was very knowledgeable about all things Mayan! As some of the sites were closed due to covid19, he added other fun and interesting places to see! Loved the tour and loved spending time with Osmaro!Excelente servicio. Transporte con A.C. Información amplia y de primera mano con guías certificados sobre la historia de El Salvador,su historia, arqueología , geólogia, economía.
Excelente servicio. Transporte con A.C. Información amplia y de primera mano con guías certificados sobre la historia de El Salvador,su historia, arqueología , geólogia, economía.