Guayabo National Monument

A magical place you have to visit If you're interested in history. This place is amazing, you can feel the power and strength of this incredible Location, the diversity of the Wildlife and the mindful ancient buildings and structures. Thanks so much.

It's a cool hike with lots to see. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time when a pack of white faced monkeys passed through in the nearby trees

Very cool historic site for Costa Rica before western influence. The aquifer is of particular interest, and the rock structures are of great significance when thinking of how much effort it would be to put this together without power equipment. Very well kept with not too many visitors.

Amazing experience. The place was incredibly diverse, ample enough to provide an enjoyable trip but not too much to be tiring or exhausting. The cultural heritage witnessed here is a marvel, and the biodiversity is simply outstanding.

Great guided tour of this historically significant place

A very interesting National Site. And Elizabeth is a well informed and very pleasant guide. She answered all my questions and I enjoyed the tour and her friendly helpful disposition. Definitely recommend paying for the guided tour.

It's an awesome archaeological site just right to the Turrialba Volcano, at less than 2 hours from San Jose city. The place used to be a city founded 1000 years B.C It consists in a aquedute system that still working! You should visit Guayabo's National Monument!

This park is home to the largest pre-Columbian structures in Costa Rica, at least those discovered to date. They include a still functioning aqueduct and the remains of what was once a much longer stone road which leads to the main site. Among the animals in the park are curious groups of capuchin monkeys. This park has its own souvenir and snack store which is uncommon in Costa Rican national parks. Parking spaces are literally just spaces on the side of the road; this might not seem like much but I've never had to turn back because of a lack of parking space. It's a nice place to visit and the trails aren't too difficult for those who don't enjoy vigorous hiking.

Great hike to a hidden place of history. There are so many things to question about this place. Short hike it is a little steep to the overlook

Very interesting pre-colombian ruines of a settlement that dates back 12000 years. Self guided with some steep hills. Enjoyable outing for a day.

Good place, you can take pictures and walk easier

What a great experience to walk around (with a guide), and take it all in. None of the pictures do justice to the physical experience of being there, and everything feels *much* larger and more varied in person than it looks from the photos. And the guides add quite a bit of rain-forest environmental knowledge as you walk along, too.

Despite what Google Maps shows, the entrance is right on the road (see pics) -- a small (30 feet across?) conical thatched pavillion built to resemble the original structures of prehistoric Guayabo. The (small but nice) souvenir shop is right across the street, as are the bathrooms (very clean and well maintained, I might add). There is also a "lunch area" with covered picnic tables to eat any food you may have brought with you (but see below for Covid situation).

The Transtusa bus from Turrialba is cheap (490 colones each way!), but only runs a few times a day, and is sometimes late. A taxi will run more like 12000 colones. Cars are fine, but the roads are *rough* -- paved, but rough. The views on the drive are lovely.

Trails have interpretive signs, mostly Spanish with abbreviated paragraphs in English. You can certainly walk around on your own, but getting a guide ($20 US for non-Costa Ricans) is well worth it! *So* much more than you would get from the signs alone! However: there may or may not be an English-speaking guide on the particular day you visit, so bring a Spanish-speaking friend (if needed).

If you are at all handicapped, you should know that if you are using canes, crutches, or (especially) a wheelchair (and I've done all 3 in my past), you're going to be limited in how much you'll be able to take in here. The paths are rough, natural, and not all all paved (although some occasional gravel, and definitely some steps). And everything will probably be wet and slippery. You certainly could do some or all of the trails with crutches or a cane (depending on your stamina, strength, and stability), but very very little on a wheelchair.

Also, at least for now (written September 2021), the lunch area is entirely closed. This means there really is nowhere to sit and eat food you've brought with you (food isn't allowed in the archeological portions of the park). There are some good sodas (restaurants) in the very close by town of Colonia Guayabo, but only a few bagged snacks in the park's gift shop. If you drove a car, no problem: go get some food. If you're waiting for the bus back to Turrialba for an hour or two, more of a problem -- although the Colonia *is* only a kilometer or so away, so not super far to walk.

But seriously: go! If you enjoy history and/or natural exploration, go!

Nice place. Carry mosquito repellent.

An amazing experience. Literally was the only one there. Maps were perfect.
The only downsides were the souvenir store was closed and the highlight boards to give you information about the explorer who found it (that in itself is amazing), were supported by bamboo "V's", and therefore made reading the bottom corners difficult.

Beautifully amazing and spiritual experience. A MUST DO

Part of Amazing Vacation tour in Costa Rica. Highly recommended.

We loved it here, but book a taxi before you go!! We got the bus from San Jose and then an uber up, but it was IMPOSSIBLE to get an Uber back and ended up waiting 1hr+. The monument itself is SO COOL! Pretty empty and lots of cool forest and wildlife around the ruins. Recommend it!

Simply amazing, you need to visit it.

It's a peaceful place with a great history! I thought it was going to be bigger but is not so you don't have to walk as much...

A must see in your live. Thanks to the park guards for all explanations and warm welcome.

We don't have Machu Pichu but we have Guayabo. Beautiful place!