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Casa Blanca Archaeological Site: Echoes of the Maya

Discover El Salvador's Mayan heritage at Casa Blanca Archaeological Site in Chalchuapa, featuring pyramids, a museum, and an indigo workshop.

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Explore the Casa Blanca Archaeological Site in Chalchuapa, El Salvador, a pre-Columbian Maya site with pyramids dating back to 500 BC. Discover the indigo workshop, museum, and archaeological window showcasing layers of history.

A brief summary to Casa Blanca Archaeological Site

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the archaeological site.
  • Bring water and sun protection, as the site offers limited shade.
  • Visit the indigo workshop to learn about traditional dyeing methods.
  • Explore the museum to see Maya artifacts and learn about the site's history.
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Getting There

  • Bus

    From San Salvador, take the bus 202 towards Chalchuapa from the Terminal de Buses de San Salvador. The journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours and costs $2. Once in Chalchuapa, you can take a taxi or walk to the site. Taxis from the Chalchuapa bus terminal to Casa Blanca Archaeological Site cost around $5-$10.

  • Walking

    From Chalchuapa bus terminal, head southeast on Avenida 15 de Septiembre, then turn left onto Calle 2a Avenida Sur. Continue straight until you reach RN 13 W. The Casa Blanca Archaeological Site is located at RN 13 W Km. 78, which is about a 30-minute walk from the bus terminal.

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Discover more about Casa Blanca Archaeological Site

Casa Blanca Archaeological Site, located in Chalchuapa, El Salvador, offers a captivating journey into the region's rich pre-Columbian past. The site, named after a former coffee plantation, was once a significant Maya settlement with a history stretching back to 1200 BC. Casa Blanca, along with El Trapiche, became an important early Maya center, particularly during the Late Preclassic period (250 BC - 250 AD). Explore the six structures within the archaeological park, including three pyramids, resting on a large platform. Structure 5, the largest pyramid, showcases multiple construction phases. The site also features a museum exhibiting Maya ceramics and artifacts, including the only known stela with Maya writing found in El Salvador. The on-site indigo workshop demonstrates traditional dyeing techniques. Casa Blanca provides a glimpse into the influences of the Olmecs and Teotihuacan cultures on the Maya civilization. The site was abandoned and later reoccupied after the Ilopango caldera eruption (4th-6th century AD), with continued use for burials and pilgrimages. Today, visitors can explore partially restored pyramids, an archaeological window displaying volcanic ash layers, and learn about the site's history and significance.

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