We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site

Carretera Panamericana (CA-1), San Salvador, El Salvador
Website
Update attraction details
Ranked #3 of 22 attractions in San Salvador
Type: Ancient Ruins
Description: Excavation at "Jewel of the Ceren", a pre-Columbian Mayan farming village, that was buried under a volcanic eruption around 600 A.D.
Write a Review

100 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    55
    28
    14
    2
    1
Date Rating
San Salvador, El Salvador
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
11 attraction reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 4, 2013

this place show how the mayan lived in community, houses and even food. Everything was suddenly abandoned. Most mayan ruins are big monuments but this is very well preserved village.

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 21 more reviews by Casarau for San Salvador
Buenos Aires, Argentina
2 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 25, 2013

It is an amazing archaeological site, which reveals an incredibly sophisticated buried city. It is a beautiful drive too.

Was this review helpful? Yes
Chicago, Illinois
Senior Contributor
46 reviews 46 reviews
15 attraction reviews
Reviews in 23 cities Reviews in 23 cities
28 helpful votes 28 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 11, 2013

Very interesting Mayan site. A buried village like Pompeii. Shows how the common Mayan lived. Houses are buried as well as a steam chamber for ceremonial purposes. Fascinating.

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 3 more reviews by seascape100 for San Salvador
Washington DC, District of Columbia
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 of 5 stars Reviewed April 4, 2013

The ruins site is small but absolutely fascinating. The structures they discovered are still mostly in place. Worth seeing.

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 2 more reviews by tanyat5683 for San Salvador
Tripoli, Libya
Senior Contributor
38 reviews 38 reviews
13 attraction reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
45 helpful votes 45 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed March 30, 2013

Although this site is important for archeologists, there is very little too see. The unearthed structures are underneath a protective roof. Guests can walk around thhe perimeter and look down at the small buildings, one of which is a sweat lodge. A small museum is adjecent to the site and included in the modest $3 entrance fee.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Temple City, California
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 15, 2013

Through out Mexico and Guatemala there are many archaeological sites, but none like this place. There are no temples here, but it is consider the discovery of the century. It is the only place in Latin America where you can see how the Mayan Pipil lived on the daily bases. Must see the museum first and see all the artefacts... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Los Angeles, California
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed March 10, 2013 via mobile

Great place with tons of history and old mayan structures. Interesting how these ruins were found on accident and there are still thousands of hidden treasures still left to be found. If you speak spanish just say you are local and you will only be charged 1$ otherwise you will pay 3$. Every dollar counts.

Was this review helpful? Yes
Melbourne, Australia
Senior Contributor
37 reviews 37 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 26 cities Reviews in 26 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 8, 2013

These are the unique ruins that are where the indigenous people used to live. It was so wonderful to see the neighbourhood organised in such a creative way. Did you know the Mayans used to have spas? We really enjoyed the tour, we had a spanish speaking tourguide but I am bilingual so I translated for my husband. There were... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 2 more reviews by Perthchic for San Salvador
New York City, New York
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed February 15, 2013

This "Mayan Pompeii" is the only known site where you can actually see how the Mayan people lived. This village was buried in ash hundreds of years before the first Europeans arrived and while the buildings are few and small, some are remarkably well preserved.

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 2 more reviews by matty604 for San Salvador
quebec
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
14 attraction reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 9, 2013

I visited this site cause it was a Unesco protected one! It's a short visit. Don't think u'll be there more then 2 hours! This city was burried under 3 eruptions on volcanos around! There is a small museum at the entrance and then u can go see the little village that was excavated (excavation is not over). Small houses... More

Was this review helpful? Yes

Travelers who viewed Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site also viewed

San Salvador, San Salvador Department
San Salvador, San Salvador Department
 
San Salvador, San Salvador Department
San Salvador, San Salvador Department
 

Been to Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

Manage your listing