Costa Rica Travel Hub

Archaeological importance
Guayabo National Monument's site is one of the largest archaeological sites ever found. The monument itself is just 218 hectares. It lies 1100 meters above the sea level on Turrialba Volcano. Going to this place is stepping back in time, some 3000 years ago maybe to the pre-Columbian times. Some 10,000 odd people inhabited the city during those times. The civilization existed from 1000 BC to 1400 AD.

Organized Architecture
The excavations have also led to some startling revelations like very systematic plans of aqueducts, cisterns, stairways, mounds, monoliths, petroglyphs, tombs, and sculptures. The aqueducts are canals, both open and closed, which just help in arranging for water to reach the right place. The steps were made in order to help overcome the water levels. All this architecture gives a fair idea that the engineering was highly developed and planned even during those times.

The monoliths have a striking feature of having paintings of jaguar and lizard.

The national monument was created as late as 1973 to conserve this largest archaeological site. Infact this site was rediscovered only in the late 19th century.

There are decorated stones as well to be found here, present in the artistic area, but the symbolism and the designs still stand undeciphered till date. There are mounds that are found here vary from a height of .50 to 4.5 meters, with the diameter ranging from 10 to 30 meters.

Vegetation and Natural Habitat
The place is surrounded by rainforests resulting in a lush green landscape.

The species that are flourishing in this place include carara, magnolia, cantarillo, burio, cedro, bromelias and orquets. You can also do bird watching here with birds like Chachalacas, carpinteros, piapias and momotos. The mammals dotting this landscape are tarmadillos, rabbits, coyotes, talamucos, martillas, and squirrels. You can also find here butterflies, snakes, frogs, and lizards. The climate of the place is mild and humid. The forests are rich with the vegetation of bromeliads and orchids.

Costa Rica National Parks

Arenal National Park Ballena National Park Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge Barra Honda National Park Braulio Carrillo National Park Cabo Blanco Absolute National Reserve Cahuita National Park Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge Carara National Park Chirripó National Park Corcovado National Park Curú National Wildlife Refuge Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge Golfito National Wildlife Refuge Guanacaste National Park Guayabo National Monument Hitoy-Cerere Biologic Reserve Isla Bolaños National Wildlife Refuge Isla del Caño Biologic Reserve Isla del Coco National Park (World Heritage status) Islas Guayabo, Negritos and Pájaros Biologic Reserves Juán Castro Blanco National Park La Amistad International Park Las Baulas Marine National Park Lomas Barbudal Biologic Reserve Manuel Antonio National Park Orosi (Tapantí) National Park Ostional National Wildlife Refuge Palo Verde National Park Rincón de la Vieja National Park Santa Rosa National Park Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge Tortuguero National Park Volcán Irazú National Park Volcán Poás National Park Irazu Volcano National Park