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Stone spheres of Costa Rica

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Pre-Columbian carved basalt spheres from the Diquís area appear in museum displays and rural sites across Puntarenas. People visit to study the archaeology, inspect museum collections, and see these unusually large, precisely worked stone objects.

Stone spheres of Costa Rica San JoséLa FortunaMonteverde Cloud Forest ReserveManuel Antonio National ParkTamarindoTortuguero National ParkStone spheres of Costa Rica
In this guide

Stone spheres of Costa Rica essentials

Website: whc.unesco.org
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About Stone spheres of Costa Rica

The Stone Spheres of Costa Rica are a group of pre‑Columbian petrospheres found mainly in the Diquís Delta and surrounding areas of Puntarenas Province. They are attributed to the indigenous cultures of southwestern Costa Rica and are notable for their often nearly perfect spherical shape.

Examples range from small rounded stones to large carved spheres over two metres across; many are found in clusters associated with plazas and mounds. Some groups of spheres remain in situ at archaeological complexes, while others have been moved to museums or private collections.

The spheres were produced in pre‑Columbian times by local artisan traditions; many were recorded and protected during the 20th century and the Diquís archaeological sites with spheres were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. Conservation and interpretation efforts continue to protect remaining in‑situ contexts.

Most documented spheres and their archaeological sites are located in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica, particularly the Diquís Delta near Palmar Sur and surrounding lowland landscapes in Puntarenas Province.

  • Size range: Spheres vary widely in size, from a few centimetres to over two metres in diameter, and were carved from granodiorite and other local stones.

What to See#

  • Finca 6: Finca 6 is one of the best-known in situ archaeological complexes in the Diquís region where multiple carved stone spheres remain on their original plazas and mound contexts.
  • Diquís Delta sites: Several dispersed archaeological sites in the Diquís Delta and its interior hold spheres that vary in size and context, often associated with precolumbian settlement mounds and plazas.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Stone spheres of Costa Rica

Accessible year-round but easiest during the Costa Rican dry season (December-April).

Dry season (December-April)
Dec-Apr · 24-30°C
Drier roads and clearer skies make the rural sites easier to reach.
Green season (May-November)
May-Nov · 22-28°C
Lush surroundings but muddy access routes after heavy rain; fewer day tourists.

Weather & Climate near Stone spheres of Costa Rica

Climate

Stone spheres of Costa Rica's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 34°C. Heavy rainfall (3101 mm/year), wettest in October with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 52 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
FebruaryJanuaryMarch
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
21°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 20° - 32° 26° 61 mm some cloud 75% 3.3 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.6h
February Excellent 20° - 33° 26° 33 mm some cloud 69% 3.5 m/s 2.5 extreme 11.7h
March Very Good 22° - 34° 30° 73 mm partly cloudy 68% 3.3 m/s 2.6 extreme 12.0h
April Acceptable 23° - 33° 31° 202 mm overcast 74% 3.0 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.2h
May Acceptable 22° - 32° 31° 320 mm overcast 84% 2.3 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.4h
June Acceptable 22° - 31° 27° 324 mm overcast 87% 2.0 m/s 2.0 very high 12.5h
July Acceptable 22° - 32° 27° 277 mm overcast 86% 2.1 m/s 1.9 very high 12.4h
August Acceptable 22° - 31° 26° 347 mm overcast 87% 2.1 m/s 2.0 very high 12.3h
September Acceptable 21° - 31° 26° 384 mm overcast 88% 2.0 m/s 2.0 very high 12.1h
October Acceptable 21° - 31° 26° 605 mm overcast 89% 2.1 m/s 1.8 very high 11.8h
November Good 21° - 30° 26° 322 mm overcast 88% 2.2 m/s 1.7 very high 11.6h
December Good 20° - 31° 26° 153 mm partly cloudy 82% 2.6 m/s 1.9 very high 11.5h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Stone spheres of Costa Rica

The principal cluster of sites called the Diquís spheres is in and around Palmar Sur and the Diquís Delta in southern Puntarenas Province. From San José, drive south on Route 2 (Carretera Interamericana) for about 200-230 km (approximately 3.5-4.5 hours) to Palmar Sur/Palmar Norte; local roads and farm tracks lead to individual sites like Finca 6. Some spheres and associated artifacts are also conserved at the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica in San José (Calle 17, between Central and Central Alajuela). Local guides in Palmar Sur can arrange site access to spheres on private land.

Tips for Visiting Stone spheres of Costa Rica

  • Visit the largest concentration of spheres at Finca 6 (near Palmar Sur) early in the morning to avoid agricultural traffic and heat.
  • Combine a site visit with the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica in San José to see spheres that have been moved for conservation.
  • Respect local signage-many spheres on private land are on working farms; ask permission before approaching.