Natural History & Living Museums

There are many living museums scattered throughout Costa Rica where visitors have the opportunity to view wildlife that might otherwise be very difficult to see in the wild.  Insectariums, ranariums (frog museums), serpentariums (snake museums) and zoos all offer exceptional displays of Costa Rica's native wildlife.  Some offer non-native exhibits of other unusual animals.

Monteverde is especially rich with living museums.  There is a ranarium, serpentarium, two or more butterfly gardens, and a phenomenal insect collection at Selvatura Park. There are several other museums and art galleries, many featuring locally-made handicrafts inspired by nature.