Costa Rica Guayabo religious site of archeology

Monument Guayabo with about 220 hectares is the most important archeological site in Costa Rica.
The area located at the hills of volcano Turrialba, is still covered with big parts of jungle and remains unexplored. It was discovered at the end of the 19th century by a nature scientist under the thick jungle. The government declared it to a monument in 1973. They found figures, vases, sacrifice stones and boards out of volcanic stone.

The monument got plundered because of missing money to take care of it. In 1968, the archeologist Aguilar Piedra started with excavations, which still go on today.

It is still unclear, where the people of Guayabo came from and which meaning the monument had. We know that the monument must have had a big religious meaning, how items from the time between 800 before christus to 1400 after christus show us. Many people must have lived there before, how buildings tell. They have constructed sinks, stairs and a water system that still work today.

Fascinating are the many stone engravements (petroglyphes), which have been discovered during the excavations. Their meaning is still not known. Maybe the future will clear up a chapter of mystic in Costa Rica.

An exhibition at the entrance informs about finds and their meaning. Walk along the 1 mile long trail and get enchanted by the mysterious atmosphere. You can also see a lush vegetation as well as toucans, leguans, frogs, armadillos and bears

If you want to visit the park, take a bus from San José to Turrialba and from there with the bus to Guayabo. Entrance fee is US$ 6 per person - open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.