Joya de Cerén

DECLARED BY UNESCO A WORLD HERITAGE SITE IN 1993

Países
El Salvador

Zona
Central

Temática
Archeology and History

The Joya de Cerén Archaeological Park preserves the memory of a pre-Hispanic settlement with an exceptional character. Due to the degree of conservation of the structures it is possible to make interpretations through various multidisciplinary studies such as archeology, anthropology or botany.

Joya de Cerén was discovered in 1976, when a tractor was removing dirt to build silos that would be used to store grains. While removing dirt from a hill, the tractor discovered part of a house. Fortunately, Dr. Payson Sheets of the University of Colorado investigated this house shortly thereafter and determined that it was at least 1,400 years old, and has since been protected and studied. The park was created on June 19, 1993, and the current building was inaugurated on December 12, 2003.

Declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site in 1993, Joya de Cerén provides insight into the daily life of a Mayan farming village from 1,400 years ago (7th century), and is the only one known in El Salvador. The site consisted of a small farm that was buried by five meters of volcanic ash during the eruption of the Caldera Lagoon, for what has been called the New Pompeii, and the Pompeii of the Americas. Its state of conservation is unbelievable.

GEOPOSITION

Open from Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays).

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Entrance Fee:

  • Salvadorans $1.00
  • Central American $3.00
  • Foreign Residents $7.00
  • Non-resident foreigns $10.00
Los Volcanes National Park

OTROS LUGARES DE INTERÉS QUE TE PUEDEN INTERESAR

  • Río San Juan

    Río San Juan

  • Panama beaches

    Panama beaches

  • San Felipe Castle

    San Felipe Castle

OTRAS FORMAS DE VIVIR CENTROAMÉRICA

TOURS RECOMENDADOS

Mesoamerican highlights

Discover the heritage of the colonial cities, the National Parks, and the pre-Columbian ruins of Copán in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala.

  • Central - North
  • Archeology and History - Culture - Nature - World Heritage
  • Guatemala - Honduras - Nicaragua
  • 10 - 13 days

Mayan route

Discover the most important pre-Columbian archaeological sites of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala in just six days.

  • Central - North
  • Archeology and History - Community Tourism - Nature - World Heritage
  • El Salvador - Guatemala - Honduras
  • 6 - 9 days

Route of the volcanoes: Maya, lencas and garífunas

Discover volcanoes, colonial cities, pre-Columbian archaeological sites, and nature, and meet with the indigenous communities.

  • Central - South
  • Adventure - Agritourism - Archeology and History - Culture - Nature - Sun and Beach - World Heritage
  • Costa Rica - Nicaragua
  • 10 - 13 days - 14 - 18 days

Mayan Roots and Living History

Discover the most beautiful Mayan sites in Central America during your visit to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

  • Central - North
  • Agritourism - Archeology and History - Culture - World Heritage
  • El Salvador - Guatemala - Honduras
  • 6 - 9 days

Colorful Central America

Travel Central America from North to South

  • Central - North - South
  • Archeology and History - Culture - Nature - Sun and Beach - World Heritage
  • Costa Rica - Guatemala - Nicaragua
  • 10 - 13 days