Guanacaste (Parota)
Scientific name: Enterolobium cyclocarpum
Overview
Guanacaste is a well-known Central American hardwood, widely recognized for its large size and distinctive wide slabs. Native from southern Mexico through Costa Rica, it is commonly associated with parota wood in the lumber trade.
The wood is valued for its workability, stability, and dramatic grain patterns, especially in large live-edge applications.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Guanacaste (Parota)
- Scientific Name: Enterolobium cyclocarpum
- Region: Central American Hardwoods (Mexico to Costa Rica)
- Tree Size: 80–130 ft tall, 4–8 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: ~25–35 lbs/ft³ (400–560 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: ~600–900 lbf
- Color: Light brown to golden brown with darker streaks
- Grain: Straight to interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Guanacaste is easily recognized by its large slab potential and contrasting grain patterns.
Key identification traits include:
- Light to medium brown base color
- Darker streaking or banding
- Often shows strong contrast in slab form
- Straight to interlocked grain
- Medium to coarse texture with visible pores
Working Properties
Guanacaste is relatively easy to work compared to many tropical hardwoods.
- Machines easily with minimal tool wear
- Sands quickly due to lower density
- Accepts glues and finishes well
- Good dimensional stability
- Suitable for large slab work and wide panels
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause mild irritation. Standard dust collection and protective equipment are recommended.
Common Uses
Guanacaste is commonly used where large slabs and visual impact are desired.
- Live-edge furniture
- Tabletops
- Slabs and wide boards
- Interior furniture
- Decorative woodwork
Sustainability & Notes
Guanacaste is widely distributed throughout Central America and is often used in local and regional markets. It is not commonly listed under major international trade restrictions, and it is frequently sourced from managed or secondary-growth forests. As with many tropical hardwoods, responsible sourcing practices are recommended to ensure long-term sustainability.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Monkeypod
Similar in overall look and slab use, though typically showing more dramatic color variation, with a darker heartwood and lighter sapwood contrast compared to Guanacaste’s more uniform appearance.
Primavera
Generally lighter in color and more uniform in grain, Primavera lacks the bold slab character of Guanacaste and is more commonly used in cabinetry and interior applications.
Black Walnut
Black Walnut is one of the most popular woods for live edge furniture and slab projects due to its rich color and attractive grain. While highly prized for furniture making, Walnut generally produces narrower slabs and darker coloration than Guanacaste. The broad dimensions, lighter tones, and flowing grain patterns of Guanacaste give it a distinctly tropical appearance that stands apart from traditional Walnut slabs.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Explains how to distinguish slab woods like Guanacaste from similar species.
Drying & Acclimating Exotic Woods
Important when working with large slabs to prevent cracking and movement.
Finishing Oils vs Polyurethane on Exotic Species
Helps highlight the natural contrast and figure in wide-grain hardwoods.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Guanacaste is an essential species for collectors due to its association with large slab woodworking and live-edge furniture. It provides a clear contrast to denser, finer-grained hardwoods and represents the lower-density, wide-slab category within Central American species.
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When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
• DEWALT 12-Inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw for accurate crosscuts, bevels, and angled cuts
https://amzn.to/4tFPVK8
• POWERTEC 71002 Abrasive Cleaning Stick for extending the life of sanding belts and discs by removing buildup
https://amzn.to/421suz2
• BASE CAMP M Plus Reusable Dust Mask for protecting against wood dust during sanding and cutting
https://amzn.to/4cT8Aer
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