Guayabo contains the largest and most important archaeological site known in the country. Although the site itself is no way comparable to Inca or Mesoamerican monuments, its circular mounds, stone causeways, retaining walls, stone aqueducts, water tank, tombs and petroglyphs, offer a clear picture of a sophisticated pre-Columbian structure.

Archaeologists are still unclear about the history and significance of the site. It seems to have been inhabited perhaps as far as back as 1000 BC and reached the pinnacle of its development around 800 AD when some 10000 people were thought to have lived in the area. Guayabo is considered an important, religious and political center, but more precise details remain to be unearthed. The site was abandoned by 1400 AD and the Spanish conquistadors, explorers and settlers leave us with no record of having found the ruins.

The monument is small, some 218 Ha, and the archaeological site itself is thought to comprise no more than 10% of the total. The remaining 90% of the monument is premontane rainforest. It is important because it protects some of the last remaining rainforest of this type in the province of Cartago, but, because of its small area, there are not many animals to be seen.

20 km northeast of Turrialba, Cartago 
Opening hours: From 8:00 to 15:30