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
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