El Farallón Petroglyphs (Cañas)
Landmark · Guanacaste · hidden gem
A rock wall on a family farm in Cedros de Sandillal, north of Cañas, carved with dozens of pre-Columbian petroglyphs, from sun-like circles to other designs. Declared a national archaeological monument in 1998, it's considered the single rock in Guanacaste with the most and most varied petroglyphs, and the largest archaeological site in the country on private land.
- Cost
- about $10
- Time there
- 1.5 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 6 / 10
- View
- 5 / 10
- Crowds
- 1 / 10
- Swimming
- 0 / 10
- Effort
- 2 / 10
- Location
- 10.509972, -85.089204 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Entry
- ₡5,000 for residents · ages 12–17 ₡2,500; under 12 free · same price for Costa Ricans and foreigners (2023)
- Tickets
- Better to book ahead
- Kids
- Good for kids
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Book ahead – the visit is arranged with the farm family. Wear comfortable clothes for the walk on the farm.
Be careful
Don't touch, chalk or climb on the carvings – they're protected heritage.
Getting there
About 14 km from downtown Cañas on the road to Sandillal, at Finca Las Lomas (private land; visits by reservation).
Places nearby
- Las Pumas Rescue Center and SanctuaryParks & Wildlife · from $17Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center on the Pan-American Highway near Cañas, with wildcats, monkeys, birds and sloths.
- Soda Don Rogelio (leche dormida)Sodas & Local FoodThe little soda by Cañas' central park where Rogelio Gutiérrez started making leche dormida in 1946 – a cold, sweet milk drink whose recipe the family still keeps secret.
- Lake Arenal Hotel & Brewery (brewpub and La Vista restaurant)Food & CoffeeA hillside hotel on the northwest shore of Lake Arenal that brews its own beer, a rarity in a region of light lagers.
- Casa del Agua (Mery's Coffee)Food & CoffeeCafé between Tilarán and Río Piedras with a lake view from the porch, good coffee and food, art, and a used-book exchange.
- Restaurante Hotel Guadalupe (Tilarán)Food & CoffeeA hotel restaurant in downtown Tilarán, the last town before the climb to Monteverde, serving traditional Costa Rican plates with good service: arroz con pollo, ceviche, olla de carne and casados.
- Río Perdido (thermal river, canyon adventures)Tours & AdventureAn adventure hotel (SLH) around a hot thermal river in a white-walled canyon near Miravalles, with canyon ziplining, tubing, bike trails and a spa.
Sources: OpenStreetMap node/7796037820 · https://vozdeguanacaste.com/en/explore-guanacastes-highlands-with-this-rural-tourism-guide/ · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/7796037820