Guayabo National Monument
Guayabo National Monument, Archaeological site in Turrialba Canton, Costa Rica.
The 232-hectare site features stone foundations, aqueducts, roadways, tombs, and petroglyphs on the southern slope of Turrialba Volcano at 1135 meters elevation.
Initial settlement occurred in 1000 BCE, reaching its peak around 800 CE with an estimated population of 10,000 inhabitants before abandonment in 1400 CE.
The excavated structures reveal advanced engineering knowledge through circular stone foundations, water management systems, and animal-themed petroglyphs representing Pre-Columbian civilization.
The monument opens daily from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with entrance fees of 1130 colones for Costa Rican residents and 5.65 dollars for international visitors.
The American Society of Civil Engineers recognized the site as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2009 for its pre-Columbian infrastructure achievements.
Location: Turrialba Canton
Location: Cartago Province
Elevation above the sea: 811 m
Website: https://sinac.go.cr/ES/ac/accvc/mng/Paginas/default.aspx
GPS coordinates: 9.97244,-83.69140
Latest update: May 12, 2025 00:56
South America preserves a monumental heritage that reflects centuries of history, from pre-Columbian civilizations to the contemporary era. This collection includes archaeological sites, colonial-era religious buildings, public squares, and modern artistic creations scattered across the continent. Each monument tells a part of South American history, whether it be ancient fortresses, Baroque churches, or recent sculptures. Among these sites are the Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua, Guatemala, a 17th-century construction that once connected two convents; the Public Market in Porto Alegre, Brazil, a functioning 19th-century commercial building; and Desert Hand in Chile, a contemporary sculpture of 11 meters rising from the Atacama Desert. The Middle of the World monument near Quito, Ecuador, marks the equator line, while the Christ of the Pacific overlooks Lima from its hill. These monuments, whether of pre-Columbian, colonial, or modern origin, provide tangible insight into the cultural and architectural development of the South American continent.
Costa Rica spans 19,700 square miles (51,100 square kilometers) between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, offering photographers a concentration of varied landscapes within a compact area. The country maintains over 30 national parks and protected areas, including Arenal Volcano, whose near-perfect cone rises 5,479 feet (1,670 meters) above surrounding rainforest, and Monteverde Cloud Forest, where mist drifts through canopy vegetation supporting rare species such as the resplendent quetzal. Rio Celeste flows through Tenorio Volcano National Park, displaying its characteristic turquoise color from volcanic minerals, while Tabacon Hot Springs delivers naturally heated water from underground sources. Coastal regions present diverse subjects, from the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, where white-faced capuchin monkeys move through trees, to Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean coast with its coral reefs. The Nicoya Peninsula and Papagayo Peninsula provide access to Tamarindo Beach and Santa Teresa Beach, while the southern zone includes Marino Ballena National Park, named for its whale-shaped sandbar visible at low tide. Tortuga Island, off the coast of Puntarenas, serves as a day-trip destination. Inland, San Jose Central Market documents daily commerce, the National Theater displays neoclassical architecture from 1897, and Guayabo National Monument preserves pre-Columbian ruins. Cerro Chirripó rises to 12,533 feet (3,820 meters) as the country's highest point, offering views of both oceans in clear conditions.
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