Stone causeways
Ancient paving.
Lutz Maertens — CC BY-SA 3.0 · AndSalx95 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · elisabeth tonglet — CC BY-SA 2.0 · elisabeth tonglet — CC BY-SA 2.0
Costa Rica's largest and most important archaeological site, the remains of an ancient town in rainforest on the slopes of Turrialba volcano, inhabited by the region's peoples for many centuries before the Spanish arrived, then abandoned and swallowed by forest until rediscovered in the late nineteenth century. The monument covers about 2.3 square kilometres. Visitors walk a forest trail and then stone-paved causeways built by its ancient inhabitants, leading to round stone mounds that were foundations for large wooden houses, stone stairways and bridges, and aqueducts where water still flows in places today, proof of their engineering skill. Some rocks bear ancient carvings of animals and symbolic shapes, and from a forest lookout visitors see the whole old town among the trees. The surrounding forest is full of birds, toucans among them. The site is damp and rainy, so bring a jacket. Nearby Turrialba town is a well-known base for rafting on the Pacuare and Reventazón rivers.
Ancient paving.
Still running.
On the rocks.
Southern slope of Turrialba volcano, near Turrialba town, about two hours from San José
Stone-paved causeways, round mounds that held houses, aqueducts that still work and ancient rock carvings.