guayabo

Guayabo is a term used in the Spanish-speaking world to refer to several different things, including a common name for the guava fruit and tree, geographic place names, and a notable archaeological site in Costa Rica. The word derives from the guava, a tropical fruit that is widely grown and consumed in many countries.

In botanical terms, guayabo commonly denotes the guava tree, Psidium guajava. The tree is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can reach several meters in height. It bears round to oval fruit with a thin rind and fragrant, edible flesh. Guavas are eaten fresh or processed into juices, jams, jellies, and desserts. They are cultivated in tropical regions around the world and vary in size, flavor, and color, from greenish-yellow to pink-fleshed varieties.

Guayabo National Monument is a major pre-Columbian archaeological site in Costa Rica. The site preserves a large, planned settlement that includes ceremonial mounds, plazas, stone pavements, and an ancient water management system. Archaeological evidence indicates occupation from the late Formative period into the early post-classic period, roughly dating from 1000 BCE to 1500 CE. The site has been protected as a national monument and is a focal point for research and cultural tourism in the region.

Beyond these, the name Guayabo is used for several other places across Spanish-speaking countries, typically reflecting historical or geographical associations with guava trees in the area. The term thus operates as both a botanical reference and a toponym in various contexts.