El Salvador: Cihuatan Ruins, Rum Tasting & Suchitoto Town Day Trip

Summary

Walk ancient Pipil ruins sip Salvadorean rum explore Suchitoto

You’ll walk ancient Pipil ruins at Cihuatan with a local guide, taste fresh Salvadorean rum at Casa Cihuatan, and lose yourself in Suchitoto’s cobbled streets and lakeside views. Expect laughter over tastings, stories from locals, and that feeling when history suddenly feels close enough to touch.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the crunch of gravel under my shoes as we walked toward the main mound at Cihuatan. Our guide, Mario, waved us over to a faded stone court and started talking about the Pipil people — I could smell grass warming up in the sun, and honestly, I kept getting distracted by birds darting overhead. Mario pointed out where the ball games happened (he mimed a wild throw — not sure it was accurate but it made us laugh). The site is bigger than I expected, with these low hills everywhere that turn out to be ancient temples or houses. There’s something quiet about it all, even with a small group chatting nearby.

We drove on to Casa Cihuatan for the rum part of the day trip from San Salvador. The air inside was sweet and sharp at once — like sugarcane and old wood. A woman named Karla explained how each bottle tells its own story; she let us sniff raw molasses before we tried a sip (I coughed a little, which got a grin from her). I liked hearing how Salvadorean rum is tied up with local history — it made every glass feel heavier somehow. Oh, and if you’re wondering: yes, there’s time to buy a bottle if you want. I did. No regrets.

After that came Suchitoto. It’s only an hour or so from San Salvador but feels like another world — cobbled streets, blue doors swinging open onto tiny shops selling indigo scarves or carved wood birds. We stopped for coffee in this old café where two men were arguing gently about football scores (I couldn’t follow but their hand gestures were half the fun). The lake shimmered below town and swallows zipped around the rooftops. I didn’t expect to feel so at home here; maybe it was just the slow pace or maybe the way everyone nodded hello as we passed by.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Cihuatan, Rum Factory, and Suchitoto

• Explore Cihuatan archaeological site
• Learn about ball court and temples
• Visit museums at Cihuatan
• Tour Cihuatan Rum Factory
• Taste Salvadorean rum
• Walk cobbled streets of Suchitoto
• See colonial houses and balconies
• Visit art galleries and shops
• Learn about Añil and Tobacco exports

Top questions

How far is Cihuatan from San Salvador?

Cihuatan is located about 30 km from San Salvador City.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, pickup is included as part of your booking.

What do you see at Cihuatan archaeological site?

You’ll see ancient ball courts, temples, museums, and more than 100 mounds across 70 hectares.

How long does the rum factory tour last?

The Casa Cihuatan rum factory tour lasts about 2 hours including tasting.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No lunch is mentioned in the inclusions for this tour.

Can infants join this tour?

Yes, infants can ride in a pram or stroller and specialized infant seats are available.

What makes Suchitoto special?

Suchitoto is known for its colonial architecture, cobbled streets, art galleries, indigo-dyed goods, and views of Lake Suchitlán.

Are entrance fees covered?

Yes, all entry fees and taxes are included in your booking price.

What’s included

Your day includes small group transport with air conditioning from San Salvador (with pickup), all entry tickets for both Cihuatan archaeological site and Casa Cihuatan rum factory (including tastings), plus taxes—so you just show up ready to wander ruins and stroll through Suchitoto’s colorful streets before heading back home.