Joya de Cerén Archaeological Park is a remarkable pre-Hispanic site that offers a glimpse into daily life in the Mayan civilization. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1993 and often called "The Pompeii of the Americas" for its similarity to the famous Italian archaeological site, this is a must-see destination in El Salvador.

This is El Salvador's only site preserving artifacts from the daily lives of inhabitants of Mesoamerica over 1,500 years ago. The site also has perfectly preserved samples of ancient plants and animals.

According to the Ministry of Culture, this was a village site that was buried by the eruption of the Loma Caldera volcano in approximately 650 AD. After this natural event, the structures and archaeological artifacts were encased in ash and preserved perfectly intact. Make time to explore this historically rich site; you won't be disappointed.

You'll find it fascinating that the modern town of Joya de Cerén, located less than 1 kilometer from where the ancient structures were discovered, is inhabited by rural farmers who still today use agricultural techniques that echo those of their forbears. You'll find their products and ceramic crafts available for sale nearby.

Open from Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.