I'm a bit of a history nut, so whenever I have a chance see some of Costa Rica's oldest ruins, I jump on it!
While we don't have anything as famous as Machu Picchu, I believe these ruins are still among the most beautiful in the country.
Humans have been living in Costa Rica for 10,000 years, so there's so many years of architecture and structures to explore!
Here is a list of only 4 ruins that are my favorite.
Ruins of Ujarras circa 1693
Ujarras Ruins
The Ujarras Ruins are one of Costa Rica's most beautiful - I get chills just thinking about it!
Beautiful white and grey stone walls stand like ancient skeletons against a backdrop of endulating jade green hills.
Located near the town of Orosi, the Ujarras ruins here are the remains of a church built in the 16th century, and its demise is a result of Costa Rica's sometimes violent earthquakes.
Being located very much off of the beaten path, most visitors agree that this place is worth the drive to get to.
Guayabo National Monument
Considered by many Ticos to be Costa Rica's most significant ancient site, the park covers 540 acres of ancient stonework and carefully built mounds.
According to experts, the area was occupied between 1000 B.C. and 1400 A.D. Mound size demonstrated hierarchy in the society, with higher ranking individuals having houses atop the largest mounds.
Recently, the remains of several roads have been discovered on the site, exuding the advanced nature of this ancient society.
Santiago Apostol Parish Ruins
Santiago Apostol Parish Ruins
This archeological wonder is located in Cartago, and so if you enjoy urban escapes, this is a great piece of history to explore while you're here!
Although its official name is Satiago Apostol Parish Ruins, many locals know it simply as The Ruin, so if you have trouble locating it, this is what you should ask for.
Although the current walls of this church were built in the 1870s, several churches have been built on this site, only to be destroyed by natural disasters or battles since the 1500s.
If you're lucky, you may uncover something here that dates back to the 16th century!
7 Days / 6 Nights
Starting at $779 per person
Pre Columbian Rock Sphere
Palmar Sur Archeological Site
Including a number of ancient sites along the Diquis delta in southern Costa Rica, the Palmar Sur site may be the most mysterious!
The site was originally uncovered by the United Fruit Company in the 1940s, when they were clearing land to create irrigation systems. As they continued to chop, they found themselves coming across many large stones that had each been carved into perfect spheres.
The spheres came in a variety of sizes and weights, yet all are perfect balls. No one has ever been able to discover the true source of these spheres or who made them.
What is your favorite Costa Rican ruin?
