Just 32 kilometers from San Salvador, San Andres Archaeological Site is one of the most important vestiges of pre-Hispanic civilization in the region.

According to scientific research this was the capital of a Mayan estate that ruled over other smaller settlements surrounding The Zapotitán Valley, between the years 600 to 900 AD.

Most of its inhabitants where farmers due to the richness of the soil, history suggests that this area was cleared by a huge eruption in the year 250 AD and people began resettling again in the fifth century.

Excavations at San Andrés have revealed that this was a ceremonial, political and commercial center that created a stunning acropolis.

Archaeological findings at this site have reveal that this settlement had strong relations with the cities of Copan (Honduras) and Teotihuacan (Mexico). They traded goods with people from the present territories of Petén (Guatemala) and Belize.

San Andrés site started a decline in the late ninth century, and this trend continued until 1200. After the Spanish conquest, the ruins were part of a farm dedicated to livestock and indigo processing. Due to the eruption of El Playón, in 1658 d. C. the site was buried and preserved almost intact including the indigo manufactory plant, which can still be seen.

The modern facilities that we see now where created in 1986 and expanded in 1997. There is a museum with three permanent exhibition halls, two of them relating the archaeological findings at the site and the third dedicated to the colonial era.

San Andrés is a cultural heritage site protected by the Hague Convention of 1954.

All visitors can tour the pyramids, the indigo processing palnt and the museum of this impressive site.

Visit the archaeological site of San Andres and discover this extraordinary period of pre-Hispanic El Salvador.

How to get there:

Address: Km 35, Pan-American Highway, La Libertad.

Drive along the Pan-American Highway (CA-1) towards Los Chorros, and continue as if going to Santa Ana. The entrance is your right at km 35, and is properly labeled.

If transported by bus you may board any of them going to Santa Ana or Ahuachapán at the West Terminal (201 or 202 for example). Ticket cost is US$ 1.50.

More:

Phone: (503) 2319-3220

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Admission Rates:

General (Salvadoran and Central American): US$ 1.00

Foreign: US $ 3.00

Children under 8 years and senior citizens: FREE

Centres and Educational Complex Public primary and secondary level: FREE Wednesday

Website:

http://www.cultura.gob.sv/temas/sitios-arqueologicos/museo-de-sitio-arqueologico-san-andres.html

Satellite Location

Elevation 1517 feet

N 13 ° 47,991 ‘

W 89 ° 23,352 ‘

Photogallery

AVISO