El Salvador · Archaeology

Best Full Day Combo Tour: Volcanoes, Lake and Mayan Sites

9 Hours Round trip from San Salvador Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit Cerro Verde in Los Volcanes National Park
  • 02 Enjoy panoramic views of Izalco and Santa Ana volcanoes
  • 03 Explore Joya de Cerén, the “Pompeii of the Americas”
  • 04 Discover the Mayan archaeological site of San Andrés
  • 05 Experience a full-day mix of nature, geology, and archaeology
  • 06 Travel with included transport and guide services

Discover some of El Salvador’s most remarkable natural and archaeological treasures in a single full-day journey. This experience combines volcanic landscapes, lush national park scenery, and important Mayan heritage sites for a well-rounded introduction to the country.

Visit Cerro Verde for sweeping views across the Lake and Volcano Complex, including Izalco and Santa Ana volcanoes, then explore Joya de Cerén, the UNESCO World Heritage site often called the “Pompeii of the Americas.” Continue to San Andrés, an important ceremonial and political center, for a deeper look into the region’s pre-Hispanic past.

Discover some of El Salvador’s most remarkable natural and archaeological treasures in a single full-day journey.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities San Salvador, Santa Ana, Los Volcanes National Park
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Cerro Verde

Cerro Verde is an inactive volcano located at an altitude of 2035 meters and length of 500 hectares of nature, it has a cloud forest in and around the crater with a temperature of between 12 and 18 degrees centigrade. From here you will enjoy panoramic views of Izalco Volcano better know as the “Lighthouse of the Pacific” because the boats were oriented with the red glow of the lava to reach the Acajutla port, the Santa Ana Volcano or “Ilamatepec Volcano” being the biggest volcano of the area, and the beauty of the nature in the surroundings of this National Park. It is a place where you will be surrounded by the wilderness or “dwarf forest”, where you can find pasture and some low-lying bushes, giant agaves, among others. The landscape is unique in Mesoamerica and it definitely worth the visit.  

Joya de Cerén

The famous archaeological site known as “The Pompeii of the Americas” and declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1993 for its valuable contribution to daily life of the ancestors of the Mayan World. 

San Andrés

A very important ceremonial and political center that has several structures used by the governors of that civilization. In this important sire there are remains of an Indigo Mill that was buried by the eruption of El Playon in 1658. 

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from San Salvador 3 cities · 9 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Local taxes
  • National Park fees
  • Local guide
  • Professional guide
  • Transport by a comfortable vehicle

What's Not Included

  • Gratuities
  • Lunch
  • $10 pick up to other location (San Salvador hotel, airbnb) per Tour.
  • $20 pick-up cost at El Tunco an Zonte Town Entrance(per Tour).

Know before you go

  • INFANT SEATS AVAILABLE
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • If you are staying in hotels on the beach or in the surrounding area, the pick-up time is at 7:15 a.m.
  • If you need to confirm your booking or add any information call us to Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm ()
  • In case of any emergency call us at

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
San Salvador, SV
Tour start
San Salvador, SV
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 9 hours finish where they began, in San Salvador.

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