Mayan Exploration: Tazumal + Pompeii of America + San Andres Ceremonial Center
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
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 of one of the most developed civilizations, the Mayans. If you are in El Salvador you can not 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.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Hotel drop-off
Small Groups
Professional guide
National Park fees
Hotel pickup
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Bottled water
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park
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.
Options
Mayan Exploration: Tazumal + Pompeii of America + San Andres Ceremonial Center
Pickup included
Reviews
22 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Like traveling with family!
Monm315,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Eco 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!
Maya. Tour
Juan C,
Sep 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very 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...
Ivy L,
Aug 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The 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 el Chino
JUAN A,
Aug 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Herbert 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
Excellent guide!
Vanessa P,
Jul 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our 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.
Interesting Mayan Ruins Exploration
Jessica G,
Apr 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This 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.
This one’s for the history buffs
Da G,
Apr 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This 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.
Fantastic! Above and beyond!
L9002GKlucyh,
Jan 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Os (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!
Excellent
Kyungsuk L,
Dec 29, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Exact departure, kind manner, nice guide, comfortable car, hospitality, everything is excellent. unforgettable experience. Thank you very much for Osumaro!!
Amazing historical tour!
299maxwelld,
Dec 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Osmaro gave a great tour with tons of history of the country as well as recent and current projects. Very well versed and perfect English. Would absolutely recommend!
From US$124.00
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Operated by Eco Tours Petate