Guayabo National Monument, Costa Rica

An Engineering Marvel

This is from 2012 when I was running a project in Costa Rica that focused on assisting local organic farmers in Turrialba in business planning/capacity building. They insisted that I go see Guayabo. It’s well off the beaten tourist path there but well worth the effort to go and experience it.

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Only two sites in Latin America have received the American Society of Civil Engineering’s designation of International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. One is Peru’s Machu Picchu, and the other is Guayabo in Costa Rica. Dating back to pre-Colombian times, but “discovered” only in 1968 by a local farmer, Guayabo is a mysterious place.

Known for its aqueduct that still functions today, maintaining water when other areas in and around Turrialba are lacking it during the dry season, Guayabo is situated in the forested lower slopes of Volcan Turrialba. Its rock road is a wonder to look upon, thoughts of people moving the stones along it, as well as carrying trade to other areas in the region, passes through one’s mind while standing there.

Still being excavated today, Guayabo is also a good spot for bird watching!