Joya de Cerén

DECLARED BY UNESCO A WORLD HERITAGE SITE IN 1993

Countries
El Salvador

Zones
Central

Themes
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
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RECOMMENDED TOURS

Mayan Triangle

On this tour, you will visit the most important Mayan remains of Central America: Joya de Cerén, Tazumal, Casablanca, Copán, and Quiriguá.

  • Central - North
  • Adventure - Agritourism - Archeology and History - Culture - Nature - World Heritage
  • El Salvador - Guatemala - Honduras
  • 10 - 13 days
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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
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Mayan heritage and nature

The most authentic villages of Central America, the Mayan archaeology, the most exuberant nature and the colonial past.

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

On this trip through four Central American countries, you will visit the most impressive Mayan ruins, the best natural resources, and their colonial cities.

  • Central - North
  • Adventure - Agritourism - Archeology and History - Culture - Nature
  • El Salvador - Guatemala - Honduras - Nicaragua
  • 14 - 18 days
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The Archaeologist

Discover Antigua Guatemala and the most important Mayan sites of Guatemala, Honduras and Belize.

  • Central - North
  • Adventure - Archeology and History - Community Tourism - Culture - World Heritage
  • Belize - Guatemala - Honduras
  • 10 - 13 days
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