Tazumal + Pompeii of America + San Andres Ceremonial Center
Description
Tazumal and Ruta Maya Tour is the perfect experience if you are a lover of archeology. El Salvador has been for millennia the home of different civilizations. Joya de Ceren, San Andres and Tazumal are three archaeological sites that were important witnesses to one of the most developed civilizations, the Mayans. If you are in El Salvador you cannot miss this experience. 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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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
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.
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.
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.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
From your hotel or lodging place in the metropolitan area of San Salvador
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(24)
Our tour guide, Osmaro was phenominal, patient and knowledgable. When one of the museums was closed, he pivoted and gave us a tour of Cerro Verde instead. Thank you Osmario! The restaurant we went to afterwards overlooked Lake Coatepeque. It had a beautiful view but the food was expensive and inedible. The meat they served was raw. It was disgusting. We gave our $144 meal to the stray dog that sat at the table. The women's bathroom had one inoperatable toilet, and one filled with excrement. Ugh! So, the tour and guide were 5 star, the restaurant chosen was 0 stars.
¡Gracias Joanne por compartir una experiencia tan honesta y detallada! 🙌 Nos alegra muchísimo saber que Osmaro dejó una impresión tan increíble—esa capacidad de adaptarse en el momento y convertir un imprevisto en una nueva aventura en Cerro Verde es justo lo que hace que el viaje se sienta fluido, emocionante y lleno de descubrimientos 🔥 También valoramos mucho que señales lo del restaurante. Sabemos que después de un día tan bueno, uno espera cerrar con broche de oro… y cuando eso no sucede, la sensación cambia por completo. Ya estamos tomando nota para ajustar esas paradas y asegurar que cada momento mantenga ese nivel alto de disfrute que mereces. Gracias por confiar en nosotros y por resaltar lo mejor mientras nos ayudas a mejorar lo demás. La meta siempre es clara: que cada parte de la experiencia se sienta tan bien que no quieras que termine 😉
A very good tour and I would recommend. Roberto our tour guide was very helpful, knowledgeable and informative. The Mayan ruins, local stop off at the towns, walk through the local markets and beautiful churches and panoramic views were a few highlights of the trip. Roberto made the trip worthwhile and I would highly recommend this tour.
¡Qué experiencia tan completa Adenike! ✨ Nos encanta saber que cada parada sumó—desde las ruinas mayas hasta los mercados locales y esas vistas panorámicas que simplemente te dejan sin palabras. Es ese tipo de recorrido que mantiene la curiosidad encendida todo el tiempo 🔥 Roberto tiene ese toque especial: convierte cada dato en algo interesante y cada momento en algo que realmente se disfruta. Ahí es donde el tour pasa de ser “muy bueno” a sentirse totalmente worth it. Gracias por la recomendación—comentarios así despiertan esas ganas de seguir explorando, descubriendo… y volver por más 😉
Eco tours exceeded all our expectations! Herbert was an outstanding tour guide, but an even nicer person! We were a family of 5 - four adults and one child. He came on time to pick us up at our Airbnb (this is a huge difference from other tours that ask you to arrive at a meeting location). In route to our first stop, he gave a great background and history of El Salvador including money, language and ancestry. Our day was long but extremely pleasant. On the way home, we asked to stop at the historical center. For a small up charge, Herbert not only went out of his way 25 minutes BUT waited for us and then safely brought us back to our Airbnb. This was customer service at its finest. I would highly recommend this tour company that really makes you feel like you’re traveling with family. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Very interesting tour, takes you back in time to learn how people lived and the monuments they built. Our tour guide was very informative and made it fun.
The communication with Eco Tours was smooth, they respond to your message in a timely manner. My guide - Herbert was amazing! He was very nice and explained so many things on the tour. He’s very easy going, learned lots of things from him as well. Had a great tour today, and if I’m back next time will definitely book again.
Herbert Burgos is a very very good driver and tourist guide. It is a great tourist guide taught us much of the history of the Savior
Our guide was great. I speak Spanish but I wanted an English guide so my daughter could learn as well. His English was great and he was so knowledgeable. He provided great information and answer all of our questions. He was very friendly and I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting El Salvador and wanting to learn more about its culture origins.
This tour was great and delivered on everything it promised in the description. The archaeological sites were very interesting. Herbert was an excellent guide and provided a lot of details and information about each of the sites and the country of El Salvador itself.
Thank you Jessica... for your fantastic review! We're delighted to hear that the tour lived up to its promises and that you found the archaeological sites so interesting. It’s wonderful to know that Herbert’s expertise and detailed insights about the sites and El Salvador enhanced your experience. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
This was a fantastic experience. I learned so much history and even a few words in Nahuat courtesy of Herbert our guide. The itinerary was well organized - we started with Joya de Cerén, followed by las Ruinas de San Andres, and ended with Tazumal. History buffs will love this tour.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had a fantastic experience and learned so much history, plus a few Nahuat words The language of the Mayans, thanks to Herbert's guiding. It’s great to know the well-organized itinerary, covering Joya de Cerén (The Pompeii of America), las Ruinas de San Andres, and Tazumal (The largest Mayan pyramid in El Salvador), was a hit for a history buff like you! We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for another enriching tour soon!
Os (our guide and driver) was beyond fantastic! His knowledge of all things tour related, El Salvador related, and Meso-America related was vast and deep. Os was friendly, personable, and went above and beyond the normal driver/guide duties. It was like having a friend who happened to be a college professor be our guide! Highly, highly recommend!
