Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park
Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park
Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park
4.5
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Excavation at "Jewel of the Ceren", a pre-Columbian Mayan farming village, that was buried under a volcanic eruption around 600 A.D.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
597 reviews
Excellent
344
Very good
183
Average
60
Poor
8
Terrible
2
Jeff K
Pittsburgh, PA1,635 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
We saw a lot of Mayan ruins on this trip but this one was different as it showed how Mayans lived over 1500 years ago. We toured with a guide which I recommend as you’ll learn a lot more.
Written 25 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Inspired2
Guildford, UK407 contributions
Jan 2023
Nice museum with English, French and Spanish Translations. Great how they have preserved the buildings which were covered by ash. Makes me wonder what other sites are yet to be found!
Written 14 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stephen L
Cambridge, UK475 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
Buried around 600AD. Rediscovered in recent times. Plenty of unearthed buildings. The layering of ash shows the site was hit many times volcanic eruptions over the next 1300 years
Written 3 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DesertRose
185 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
While this isn't as imposing as many other ruins it is impressive in it's own right for giving a different perspective on Myan culture and certainly is worth a stop.
Written 25 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
packedandready2go
California821 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
Though the site is small compared to some other world famous ruins, it is well laid out. The ruins are well preserved and well displayed. As a bonus we saw some exotic birds while visiting the ruins.
Written 3 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dori P
1 contribution
Feb 2022 • Couples
Not worth it. We paid 21$ for 2 people and parking. Only allowed to stay 30 minutes including 5 minutes in the museum. This was on a Wednesday morning 11am and we were the only ones there. Terrible experience.
Written 23 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kody G
Denver, CO138 contributions
Oct 2021
I rated this only 4 stars for a number of reasons. It is a very interesting site, but pales in comparison to other Mayan sites, like Copan, for example. There just isn't much to see here. The whole complex consists of a large metal roofed structure to protect the site that is still (periodically) being excavated. A lot of the remaining structures have been destroyed one way or another, which is not unexpected, of course (although seeing the petrified lava ash leaning against one of the house walls was pretty cool!). There is a one-way path that leads you around the whole site and then ends at the museum, which I found to be informative and have some interesting artifacts (and small enough to be able to see it all in a short amount of time). Despite the site being small, the fact that it was preserved by volcanic ash is pretty remarkable, making it the "Pompeii of Central America." Getting in was a bit of a problem. Joya de Ceren finally opened back up in Aug 2021 after being closed for a year or two (mix of excavations and COVID). At the time we visited (early October), it was only open Saturday and Sunday from 0900-1600, and a guide or tour was required to enter. We had showed up to the gated entrance and told we couldn't enter because we didn't had a guide, even though we were willing to pay more. We were very disappointed, but it turned out to be our lucky day because a guide had showed up right before we left, giving a private tour to a patron, and he offered to be our guide, too, essentially just to get us into the site. We were then allowed in. It was quite expensive ($10 per person, plus another $1 for the parking), at least by Salvadoran standards. All this being said, if you're like me and try to see as many UNESCO sites as you can, then you should come here (it's the only one in El Salvador at the time of this writing). Otherwise, may want to wait for it to have more regular hours and less work (ie not needing a guide/tour) to get in.
Written 9 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TravelingFool88005
Las Cruces, NM1,218 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
This is the only UNESCO site in El Salvador. My husband was in Love with this place-being a geomorphologist. You can only visit with a guide and on the weekends due to covid. It was interesting.
Written 11 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rob O
New York City, NY139 contributions
Oct 2021 • Solo
Joya de Ceren is a special place, sometimes called the Pompeii of the Americas. It is an active archaeological site that allows you to see into the past. The infrastructure is great - overhang to keep you and the ruins clear from the elements, q nice museum showing some of the artifacts and history, and good facilities for guests to use on their way. Was so glad I got a peek at the past!
Written 11 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pierre St Cyr
2 contributions
May 2021
Cant really review but FYI, as of May 12/2021, this site was still temporary closed for repairs. The banner on the locked gates states planned closure from November 2019 to May 2020, but the pandemic seemingly changed that scheduled?
Security people at the site told us that maybe in three more months?
Security people at the site told us that maybe in three more months?
Written 23 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marilyn M
Liberia, Costa Rica5 contributions
Cómo puedo averiguar sobre los horarios para Semana Santa? Busque en la página del parque arqueológico y no encontré nada sobre si van a tener horarios especiales?
Stephen L
Cambridge, UK475 contributions
Ahora estoy de vuelta en Inglaterra, lamento no poder ayudarte.
joya de ceren tiene estacionalidad?
raforellana
San Salvador, El Salvador16 contributions
Si se refiere a que s lo cerran en alguna época, normalmente no, en esta ocasión si esta cerrado por la situación mundial de Pandemia, que en nuestro pais, no se permite reuniones de personas. Cuando el problema se mejore o resuelva a nivel internacional y nacional, el sitio volverá a abrirse.
Susan M
Albany, NY151 contributions
How much does it cost for admission to Joya de Cereb? We would probably be considered foreigners although my husband is originally from El Salvador. Cuánto cuesta la entrada de Joya de Cereb? Somos extranjeros pero mi esposo es de El Salvador.
Ruth G
264 contributions
Yo pagué alrededor de $5, pero los extranjeros me parece que pagan más. Aunque no es mucho tampoco.
Permiten el acceso a animales de soporte o asistencia??
Jorge MunguÃa
San Salvador, El Salvador3 contributions
Si, claro es permitido llevar mascotas de soporte
minimize940314
Los Angeles, CA3,357 contributions
is it open on december 31st?
Jorge MunguÃa
San Salvador, El Salvador3 contributions
The park is open from 8 to 4 pm thats include hollidays. Best regards
Is Joya de Ceren open on Mondays?
Donna S
Florence, WI1,601 contributions
Tues thru Sun, 9-4. "Foreigners" cost $3.
toga1k
San Francisco, CA2,979 contributions
Hi, can you let me know the opening hours of Joya de Cerén? We will arrive SAL international airport on Sat 1:30pm. How long will it take to get to the site?
Thank you in advance.
Meredith S
116 contributions
The international airport is about an hour and a half away from Joya de Ceren, about 80 kilometers. The local airport is closer. In my opinion you would not have time to get your bags, your taxi and get there before closing time.
How much tourists visit this site each year?
lakwatsera2014
East Granby, CT921 contributions
Doesn't seem to be a lot. I speak Spanish, but my travel group had an English speaking guide.
But if you like history, lifestyle 1000 years ago, ruins like Pompeii then this is definitely interesting.
Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park, San Salvador
Frequently Asked Questions about Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park
- We recommend booking Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 12 Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park:
- (3.90 km) InterContinental San Salvador - Metrocentro Mall
- (0.81 km) Hotel San Carlos
- (5.54 km) Villa del Angel Hotel
- (5.89 km) Morrison Hotel San Salvador
- (8.93 km) Hyatt Centric San Salvador
- Restaurants near Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park:
- (3.63 km) Restaurante Don Li Plaza Mundo
- (0.64 km) Restaurante Los Tres Cerditos
- (3.91 km) Faisca do Brasil
- (3.89 km) NAU Lounge
- (3.90 km) Picasso Stone Flame Oven