Pyramid at Cihuatán

Cihuatán is an archaeological site in Western El Salvador. It was once a large Mayan city-state that reached its peak in the early Post-Classic period around 900-1200 AD.

Understand

History

Ball court at Cihuatan

Cihuatán was established in the 8th or 9th century AD and was occupied only for about 100 years before the city was decimated by a calamitous fire. It is believed that the city's rise was a result of the fall of other Mayan cities, with refugees forming Cihuatan.

Archaeological excavations uncovered many ceramic objects including representations of deities commonly associated with Central Mexican (Mexica) civilizations. Other artifacts from the site include obsidian blades, tools, and pointed projectiles (arrowheads or spearheads).

Most of the site remains unexplored. Only about 20% of the known extent of the original Mayan city is open to the public.

Climate

Cihuatán is very hot, so wear a hat. You'll also want to use sunscreen, and insect repellent.

Get in

Several tour companies in San Salvador offer day trips to Cihuatan. This is by far the easiest way to visit the site. A visit can be done on your own though.

By bus

In San Salvador, go to the Terminal de Buses de Occidente and take either the route 125 chicken bus toward Chaletenango or the 119 bus toward El Poy. Confirm with the driver that he can drop off you at the archaeological site entrance. The trip will take about 1-1/2 hour and cost about US$4.

By car

Cihuatán is about 40 km north of the capital, San Salvador via Carratera Troncal Del Nte. The trip will take about 1½ hour.

Fees and permits

The site entrance is open daily from 08:00 to 16:00.

Admission to the site costs US$3 but the site is very lightly visited and there is often no attendant at the entrance to collect the money.

Get around

Site map of Cihuatan

It's an archaeological site so you'll be walking. The site is large, but much of the area has yet to be opened to the public. Most of the site is cleared and mowed regularly.

See

Three main complexes of buildings have been excavated at the site and the remains of walls encircle some of the structures.

• Western Ceremonial Center: includes a large pyramid, several platforms that face west, and two Mesoamerican ball courts. The architecture of structures is similar to Veracruz style. The sites date to the 8th to early 9th century AD.

• Eastern Ceremonial Center: includes residential structures, a marketplace, and a smaller ceremonial platform. The platforms in both the Eastern and Western Ceremonial Centers likely had structures built on top of them when the city was alive.

• Acropolis: includes residences for the ruling class.

• Site Museum: displays artifacts discovered at the site.

Eat

A small cafeteria is on-site and picnic tables are available for visitors who bring their own food.

Drink

Bring bottled water. 2 liters should be enough for the few hours that you are likely to stay at the site.

Go next

• Chalatenango
• Suchitoto
• Joya de Ceren