About the Mayan Route tour
The Mayan Route tour takes you through El Salvador’s pre-Hispanic past in one day. First you visit Joya de Cerén, a Maya village buried by volcanic ash and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then you explore San Andrés, stop for lunch by Lake Coatepeque and finish at Tazumal, the most impressive pyramid in the country.
Joya de Cerén
Known as the “Pompeii of the Americas”, Joya de Cerén preserves a rural village buried by volcanic ash around 600 AD. Unlike the ceremonial centers, it shows how ordinary people lived during the Classic Maya period: homes, a communal sauna and farming structures, frozen in time.
San Andrés
Located in the Zapotitán Valley, San Andrés was a major political and ceremonial center of the ancient Maya in western El Salvador. You walk among its pyramids, acropolis and plazas, where rulers once held ceremonies, and visit a small museum with ceramics and burial items found during the excavations. With fewer crowds and green landscapes all around, it is a calm and immersive visit.
Lake Coatepeque
Next, we head to Lake Coatepeque for a well-deserved lunch break. Lunch is not included, but you can choose from local and international dishes at a lakeside restaurant with panoramic views of the turquoise crater lake.
Tazumal
Finally, we visit Tazumal in Chalchuapa, the most impressive and most excavated site on the Mayan Route. Its main pyramid rises more than 24 meters, surrounded by ceremonial platforms, tombs and ancient drainage systems. The site shows a mix of Maya and other Mesoamerican influences, and its museum displays ceramics, sculptures and the stone figure known as the “Señor de las Limas”.
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Highlights
- Joya de Cerén, the “Pompeii of the Americas” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The main pyramid of Tazumal, more than 24 meters high
- The acropolis and museum of San Andrés
- Lunch with a view of Lake Coatepeque
- Bilingual guide who explains Maya history at every site
- Easy walking, good for families
Mayan Route tour itinerary
Hotel or Airbnb pickup
Your guide picks you up at your hotel or Airbnb in San Salvador. Bring your passport or ID.
Joya de Cerén
Visit the Maya village buried by volcanic ash around 600 AD, with its homes, communal sauna and farming structures.
San Andrés
Explore the pyramids, acropolis and plazas of this ceremonial center, and its museum of Maya artifacts.
Lunch at Lake Coatepeque
Lunch at a lakeside restaurant with views of the crater lake. Lunch is not included.
Tazumal
Walk around the main pyramid, tombs and platforms of Tazumal, and see the “Señor de las Limas” at the site museum.
Return
We drive back to San Salvador and arrive around 5:30 p.m.
Route map
What’s included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or Airbnb in San Salvador
- Transport in a comfortable vehicle
- Professional bilingual guide
- Entrance to Joya de Cerén, San Andrés and Tazumal
- Small group
Not included
- Lunch, snacks and drinks
- Souvenirs
- Tips (optional)
Prices
| Group size | Per person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $160 |
| 2 people | $96 |
| 3 people | $84 |
| 4 to 6 people | $81 |
| 7 to 10 people | $75 |
Traveling solo? The price drops to $96 if other travelers join your date.
Mayan Route tour: common questions
What is included in the Mayan Route tour?+
Round-trip transport, entrance fees to Joya de Cerén, San Andrés and Tazumal, and a bilingual guide at every site.
How long is the tour?+
About 8 to 9 hours, depending on traffic and the pace of the group. We are back in San Salvador around 5:30 p.m.
Is lunch included?+
No. We stop at a lakeside restaurant at Lake Coatepeque, where you can buy local and international dishes.
Is the tour good for kids and older travelers?+
Yes. There is light walking at each site and it suits most ages. Bring comfortable clothes and stay hydrated.
Do I need my passport?+
Bring your passport or ID. The archaeological sites may ask for it at the entrance.
How do I book and pay?+
You can book through our website and pay by credit or debit card.
Can I join if I’m traveling solo?+
Absolutely. We’ll add you to an existing group. Send us a WhatsApp with your date.
Before you go
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunscreen and a hat
- A water bottle
- Your passport or ID
- Cash or card for lunch and souvenirs
- A camera or phone for photos
What travelers say
“Rafa took us to so many places I never would’ve been able to do on my own. He was a perfect guide, able to answer any questions but also giving space to enjoy and have fun.”
- “Best last day :)”
- “Professional Driving Skills”
- “A beautiful experience”