Guayabo National MonumentTurrialba, Costa Rica Text©Beatrice Blake-New Key to Costa Rica On the slopes of Volcán Turrialba, is considered the most significant archaeological site in Costa Rica. It offers a glimpse into the harmony between people and nature that existed in pre-Columbian times. Birds abound in the ruins, which are set in premontane rainforest and dotted with the guava trees that give the town its name. Oropéndolas (related to North American orioles) hang their sacklike nests from tree branches. Water sings its song in ancient aqueducts. Archaeologists have excavated only the central part of a 10,000-inhabitant city that existed from 1000 B.C. to about A.D. 1400. The exposed area is composed of circular mounds, which were the floors of large buildings raised to keep them dry; paved sidewalks, some of whose stones are decorated with petroglyphs; a large stone carved with stylistic representations of two Indian gods: the jaguar, god of the forest, and the crocodile, god of the river; a system of covered and uncovered aqueducts that still functions well; and the oldest bridge in Costa Rica, a flat rock, now broken in several places, which crosses one of the aqueducts. Several roads radiate from the center of the town. Spot excavations verify that some of them extend at least eight kilometers. It is thought that Guayabo was an important conduit between the Aztec and Maya peoples of the north and the Incas of the south. There are many mysteries about the civilization that inhabited Guayabo. No one knows why the people left (just before the conquistadors discovered Costa Rica), nor why Spanish explorers never found or never kept records of finding the site. Yet the peace and beauty that reign in Guayabo echo a wise and gentle people. From the mirador, you can see green grassy mounds and stone sidewalks nestled within the rainforest. Hawks and vultures swoop and sail in front of the striking four-layered backdrop of mountains. Across the road from the site, behind the campground, a steep trail leads down to the fast-flowing Guayabo River, where you can sit bathing your feet and looking for birds. You can also walk up the road past coffee and sugarcane fields for views of the green Guayabo valley.Park personnel orient visitors when they arrive, then give them a pamphlet to do a self-guided tour. Bring rain gear. Open daily, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Children under 6 free Amenities & Features     Rates$6.Website & Contactphone: (506)2559-1220 |
Recommended Near Guayabo National MonumentClick symbol or name to show location, more info and link on the map.Nearby Activities & Attractions  Nearby Hotels & LodgesGuayabo LodgeHotel Interamericano Turrialtico Hotel Villa Florencia Hotel Casa Turire The nearest town is Turrialba, 7.2 km away and Terminal Tobias Bolaños Airport airport is 49.2 km. Please note that distances for nearby hotels, attractions, activites & other points of interest are in a straight line. Distances by road may be significantly longer! The exact gps map coordinates of Guayabo National Monument are latitude 9.97052, longitude -83.69055. (exact GPS coordinates are accurate to within a few meters, gps data labeled approximate is within a few hundred meters) |
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