Tenancingo is located approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) from the deviation of the Pan-American Highway from which it is accessed via a paved road.

During the pre-Columbian era, the area was inhabited by the Pipil people, additionally under the jurisdiction of Cuzcatlan.

Being a site of the Salvadoran Civil War between the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front and army around 27 September 1983,[1] it was bombed by the Salvadoran Air Force, resulting in 40–50 deaths and the populace fleeing.

[2][3] Following mediation between the rebels and military by Archbishop of San Salvador Arturo Rivera y Damas, the town was declared a "neutral zone" and 200 people's return was facilitated by the Foundation for Development and Minimum Housing.

However, local Colonel Oscar Amaya was frustrated and an occupation resulted in one death.