Finca 6
The site open to visitors: spheres in place on a flat lawn, remains of the settlement and a small museum that explains how they were made and arranged.
Palmar Sur · Osa · Puntarenas · Costa Rica
Stone Spheres of the Diíquís (Finca 6)
The mysterious perfect stone spheres of the Diíquís delta, a UNESCO site you can visit at the Finca 6 museum near Palmar Sur.
- UNESCO World Heritage, 2014
- Spheres made about 600–1500 AD
- Four archaeological sites
- Finca 6 museum open to visitors
About the site
In the delta of the Diíquís River, in the south of Costa Rica, ancient peoples carved hundreds of almost perfectly round stone spheres, from a few centimetres to over two metres across. They are the signature of the chiefdoms that lived here, and in 2014 four archaeological sites with spheres were listed as the UNESCO World Heritage site Pre-Columbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diíquís.
The best known of the four sites is Finca 6, near Palmar Sur, where the spheres still stand in their original places in a lawn, next to a small site museum run by the National Museum of Costa Rica. It makes an easy half-day stop between Uvita, Sierpe and the Osa Peninsula. The spheres also appear in nearby places, including the museum of Palmar Sur, and the indigenous village of Boruca keeps the living tradition of masks and weaving.
- Perfectly round stone spheres of the pre-Columbian chiefdoms
- The spheres in their original place at Finca 6
- A site museum run by the National Museum
- Easy to combine with Sierpe, Uvita and Drake Bay
The four sites
Batambal, El Silencio and Grijalba-2
The other three sites of the UNESCO listing, which are archaeological areas with little or no tourist infrastructure.
Boruca
The indigenous community of Boruca, in the hills, is known for carved and painted masks, woven cloth and its festival of the Diablitos at the turn of the year. Visits are arranged with the community.
Plan your visit
- Opening hours
- Daytime, usually a few hours in the morning and afternoon. We confirm the hours of the day you want.
- Entrance
- A small fee is charged at the Finca 6 museum, set by the National Museum. We confirm the current price.
- Duration
- Plan about one to two hours at the site.
- Guide
- A local guide explains the spheres and their meaning; we arrange it on request.
- Best time
- Morning, before the heat. The dry season from December to April is the most comfortable.
Dates, areas and conditions are approximate and based on published information from UNESCO and the National Museum of Costa Rica; hours, fees and rules can change. We confirm the current conditions when you book.
Getting there
By road
Finca 6 is near Palmar Sur, on the Pan-American highway, about 40 minutes from Uvita and about 10 minutes from the boat dock at Sierpe.
On the way to Drake Bay
Guests going to Drake Bay by boat from Sierpe can stop at Finca 6 on the way.
Tours in the area
Where to stay
Frequently asked questions
Who made the spheres?
The pre-Columbian peoples of the Diíquís delta, between about 600 and 1500 AD. Why they were made is still debated.
Is the site easy to visit?
Yes, Finca 6 is flat and has a small museum.
Can I combine it with other places?
Yes: it is a good stop on the way between Uvita, Sierpe and Drake Bay. We arrange it with your transfers.
Can I visit Boruca?
Yes, on request with the community. Tell us your dates.