Indigenous people from times past left behind royal tombs, sacrificial stone altars, and gigantic statuary idols on this enormous island, offering clues into their curious history.

Based on independent written accounts kept by mid-nineteenth century travelers Carl Bovalius of Sweden and Ephraim George Squier of the United States, this island was the site of pilgrimages where the ancient Chorotegas built altars, made religious images and offered sacrifices. Isla Zapatera, about an hour away by boat, is now protected as a national park. The statues have been removed for safe-keeping in museums near and far “Granada’s Convent-Church of San Francisco” (NicaNews17), but other fascinating structures, many hidden in lush vegetation, remain and can be viewed by visiting this open-air archaeological treasure trove.