Guayabo National Monument
Costa Rica

• Sendero Los Montículos: Through the forest to the site, ending at a lookout over the mounds.
• Mounds: Round stone bases of different sizes that held wooden houses.
• Causeways and aqueducts: Stone roads that run for kilometres, and open and underground channels that carried water to stone tanks.
• Sendero Canto del Agua: A natural trail beside the Lajitas river and the La Chanchera stream.

The remains of a pre-Columbian settlement, probably the seat of a regional chief, lived in from about 1000 BC to 1400 AD. It has 43 mounds, 3 aqueducts, 2 plazas and 2 causeways.

It is about 19 km northeast of Turrialba, in Cartago. From Turrialba, follow the road to Guayabo. A local bus also runs from Turrialba; check its times in town.

Non-residents pay US$5.65, adults and children 2–12 alike. Nationals and residents pay ₡1,130 per adult and ₡565 per child. Under-2s and nationals or residents over 65 enter free. Card only.

No, but a guide explains much more. Certified guides from the local association U-SURE lead walks of about 1.5 hours. Hire them only at the entrance.

In 2009 the American Society of Civil Engineers named it an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, for its stone roads, retaining walls, underground channels, water supply and drainage.

Stay on the trails. Don't climb on, mark or move the stones, and take nothing away. No pets, smoking, alcohol, bicycles or loud music.