Guayabo, vestiges of Costa Rican historical culture

The ruins of Guayabo are an archaeological site located in the province of Cartago, in central Costa Rica. The site dates back to the pre-Columbian period and was occupied from 1000 BC until the 16th century, when the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the region. The ruins were discovered in 1968 by Costa Rican archaeologist Carlos Aguilar Piedra. Since then, numerous excavations have been carried out to study the site and learn more about the culture that created it. Although the origins of these buildings remain a mystery, archaeologists believe that the city was founded by pre-Columbian indigenous peoples between 1,000 and 1,400 AD.

The story goes that the indigenous group's economy was based on agriculture, hunting and fishing. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence to suggest that they had an organised and sophisticated social system, with a ruling class that controlled access to resources and power. The architectural complexity and size are impressive. The site is surrounded by tropical forests and comprises over 15 hectares of land. The buildings include residential areas, public squares, aqueducts, drainage channels and even tombs. The site has also been linked to complex religious rituals, as evidenced by the presence of altars, sculptures and petroglyphs representing indigenous deities.

To avoid the risk of sunstroke, it is advisable to visit the ruins early in the morning. The visit can take several hours, and it can get very hot in the middle of the day. At the entrance, there is a visitor centre where you can obtain information. It is entirely possible to visit the site on your own, although we recommend that you take a guide to help you understand and discover the complexity of the structures. The site is made up of well-maintained footpaths that allow you to wander easily through the forest and observe the ruins at your own pace. Information panels are available in Spanish and English to help visitors fully understand and appreciate the history of the site.

Guided tour

In our opinion, the best way to discover the ruins of Guayabo is through a guided tour. Local guides are very knowledgeable about the history and significance of the site and can show you the different buildings, altars, irrigation channels and other structures of the ancient civilisation. If you don't want to organise your visit in advance, you can find local guides at the entrance to Guayabo Park.

Visit the museum

The Guayabo Ruins Museum is a small museum located on the archaeological site. It is dedicated to the history and culture of the civilisation that built these impressive monuments.

The museum features a variety of exhibits and displays, including artefacts, stone tools, pottery and other objects that were found on the site during archaeological excavations. Here you can learn about the history of the civilisation that lived at Guayabo, their way of life, social organisation and economic system.

For history and archaeology buffs, the Guayabo Museum is packed with information about the archaeological research being carried out on the site and the latest discoveries.

Where does the name Guayabo come from?

The name Guayabo comes from the name of the guava tree, a plant native to the region that still grows in the vicinity of the archaeological site today. The name Guayabo literally means "place of the guavas". However, there are also theories that the name may come from a local tribe called Guayabo, who lived in the area before the arrival of the Spanish settlers and who may be the originators of the site. However, this has not yet been confirmed by solid archaeological or historical evidence.