A World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1993, Joya de Cerén is a snapshot of the life of a Maya community of more than 1400 years ago when a quiet village was surprised by an eruption from a nearby volcano. The villagers escaped leaving behind almost everything while more than 20 feet of volcanic ash entombed the region. It was until 1976 when the structures where found by accident, altogether with the belongings, utensils, crops and even some unfinished meals. Unique in the Mayan World this is the best preserved group of pre-hispanic domestic structures. With the recent full renovation to the facilities of the park, Joya de Cerén is now more interesting than ever.
In San Andrés Archaeological Park we find a series of structures and pyramids dating from 600-900 A.D. This was the center for commerce and political control in the Zapotitán Valley. It’s influence reached as far as the valley where San Salvador and Copán in Honduras. According to experts up to 12,000 people lived in the San Andrés area during the peak of the Classic Period of the Maya, including the community of farmers known today as Joya de Cerén. Different structures including the Central Acropolis, pyramids and temples. San Andrés was the region’s capital with strong commercial and cultural links with other important cities in Mesoamerica such as Copán in Honduras. Note: since the pandemic and for current works San Andrés site’s museum is temporary closed.
JOYA DE CERÉN, UNESCO SITE, IS STILL CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. AS LICENSED TOUR GUIDE I’M GRANTED TO TAKE SMALL GROUPS IN PRIVATE VISITS WITH PRIVILEGED ACCESS ON WEEKENDS ONLY.
