Guayabo National Monument: Visiting Costa Rica’s Ancient City

Guayabo National Monument is Costa Rica’s best-known archaeological site. It holds the remains of the largest pre-Columbian settlement found in the country, on the slopes of Turrialba Volcano, about 17 km from the town of Turrialba and roughly two to two and a half hours from San José. You walk short forest trails past stone house foundations, paved causeways, aqueducts, tombs and carvings. Don’t expect pyramids: what makes Guayabo stand out is its engineering, not monumental buildings. Plan one to two hours on site, and consider a local guide.

This guide is for travelers interested in Costa Rica’s history who want to know if Guayabo is worth the trip and how to plan it. It covers what you’ll see, how to get there, guides, and what to pair it with.

History

What Is Guayabo National Monument?

People lived at Guayabo for more than 2,000 years, from roughly 1000 B.C. until around A.D. 1400, about a century before the Spanish arrived. At its height, it was a regional center of power, with estimates of its population running as high as about 10,000. Why its residents left is still unknown.

The ruins were known in the 1800s, and the first excavations took place in 1882. Systematic archaeological work began in 1968 with researchers from the University of Costa Rica, and the site was declared a national monument in 1973. Only part of the site has been excavated; much of it remains under forest.

In 2009, the American Society of Civil Engineers named Guayabo an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark for its roads, walls and water channels.

What you’ll see

What to See at Guayabo

• Mounds: 43 circular stone foundations that once held large wooden buildings with thatched roofs. The largest, Mound 1, sits at the center of the site.
• Causeways: two main stone-paved roads, called calzadas, plus smaller paths. They were raised for drainage, and the main causeway leads into the center of the site. A pedestrian bridge, opened in 2025, crosses the main causeway.
• Water system: three aqueducts, with open and covered channels and storage tanks, that moved and managed water across the site.
• Tombs: stone-lined burial chambers, now open and empty.
• Carvings: petroglyphs and carved stones, including a monolith with a lizard on one side and a jaguar on the other.

Many artifacts from Guayabo and other sites, including jade, gold and stone carvings, are in museums in San José. See our guides to the Jade Museum, the Gold Museum and museums to visit from San José.

On site

Visiting Guayabo National Monument

Two short trails cover the site. The main trail, Sendero de los Montículos, passes the mounds, causeway and aqueducts. The nature trail, Sendero Canto del Agua, follows the Lajitas River through premontane forest. Both are fairly easy, with some stairs, and can be muddy. Expect birds such as toucans and aracaris, and bring insect repellent in the rainy season.

Facilities include a small exhibit area, restrooms, picnic tables and a craft shop. Hours and entry fees change, so check SINAC’s page before you go. See our guide to national park tickets.

Getting there

How to Get to Guayabo National Monument

Drive to Turrialba, then follow signs north for about 17 km up the slopes of Turrialba Volcano. The road is paved most of the way, with an unpaved final stretch. A regular car can usually manage it if you drive slowly; higher clearance is more comfortable after heavy rain. See our guides to driving in Costa Rica and rental car insurance.

Without a car, take a bus to Turrialba and a taxi from there, or join a day tour from San José or Turrialba.

Is it worth it?

Is Guayabo Worth Visiting?

• Go if: you’re interested in history or archaeology, you’re staying around Turrialba or the Orosi Valley, or you want a quiet forest walk with a story behind it.
• Skip it if: you’re expecting Maya-style temples or pyramids; the ruins are low stone foundations and paths.
• Best time: mornings, in the dry season (roughly December to April) for drier trails; weekdays are quieter.

Nearby

Combine It With Other Stops

• White-water rafting: Turrialba is the base for the Pacuare and Reventazón rivers. See our rafting guide.
• Turrialba Volcano: access to the national park depends on volcanic activity. See our volcanoes guide.
• Tapantí National Park and the Orosi Valley: cloud forest and rivers south of Cartago. See our Tapantí guide.

For more on the country’s past, see our guide to Guanacaste’s history and culture.

FAQ

Guayabo National Monument: FAQ