Costa Rica

San Jose Museums

Whether you are an art, science or history buff, the museums of San José offer something for everyone. Indian artifacts, pre-Columbian gold and modern paintings are just a few examples of what can be discovered in the capital city. Most of the main museums are in close proximity to each other, making a circuit tour by taxi or bus an easy option.

Costa Rican Art Museum

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Calle 42, Sabana Este. (Behind the Leon Cortes-Castro Sculpture)
San José, Costa Rica
Tel: 506-222-7155

This is modern art in every sense of the word. It was created just twenty years ago as the place for art lovers to see the "now" of now-a-days in the world of Costa Rican painting and sculpture.

Hours: Every day except Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Costa Rican National Museum

Antiguo Cuartel Bella Vista
San José, Costa Rica
Tel: 506-257-1433

The National Museum is the grandaddy of them all. It was created a hundred years ago to exhibit religious and archaeological objects which define the history and character of the country.

The National Museum is situated in San José, capital of Costa Rica, on 17th Street, between Central and Second Avenue and on Cuesta de Moras. adjacent to Plaza de la Democracia.

Hours: Schedule of Exhibition Galleries: Tuesday to Saturday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays.

Dr. Rafael Angel Calderon Guardia Museum

Avenida 11 between Calle 25 and Calle 27
Barrio Escalante, San José, Costa Rica
Tel: 506-255-1218

This is a wee keyhole, peeking into Costa Rica's past. The museum features a permanent exhibit of materials related to a respected figure from the country's past, former President Rafael Calderón. Various educational programs are offered here as well.

Hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Entomological Museum of University of Costa Rica

Faculty of Music of the University of Costa Rica
San Pedro, San José
Tel: 506-225-5555 Ext. 318

Founded in 1962. Visitors can examine more than a million specimens of butterflies and other insects collected from around the world.

Hours: Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Gold Museum

Plaza de la Cultura
Calle 5, between Avenida Central and Avenida Segunda
San José, Costa Rica
Tel: 506-223-0528

This home to the most valuable collection of Pre-Columbian gold in the world. The museum exhibits some 2,600 gold artifacts, plus a collection of rare coins and bills.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Mondays.

Jade Museum

Avenida 7 between Calle 9 and Calle 13
INS Building, Second Floor
San José, Costa Rica
Tel: 506-223-5800, Extension 2584

It's not all jade. You will find displays of ceramics, precious stones and gold miniatures from different cultural areas of Costa Rica, as well as a large collection of jade objects from two Costa Rican indigenous cultures.

Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

La Salle Natural Science Museum

Southwest corner of La Sabana
Colegio La Salle
San José, Costa Rica
Tel: 506-232-1306

The museum features more than twenty thousand specimens from around the world.

Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sundays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Museum of Contemporary Art and Design

Avenida 3 between Calle 15 and Calle 17
San José, Costa Rica
Tel: 506-257-7202

Museum of Criminology

Organismo de Investigación Judicial
Corte Suprema de Justicia
San José, Costa Rica
Tel: 506-223-0666 Ext. 2378

Criminals and the people who chase them will enjoy this close-up look at some of the most fascinating objects and evidence relating to crime in Costa Rica.

Hours: Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

National Children's Museum

Calle 4 and Avenida 9

San José, Costa Rica

Tel: 506-223-7003

Learning doesn't have to be boring. Here, kids play with hands-on exhibits designed to familiarize with the stuff of science and technology, as well as the traditional culture, art and literature of Costa Rica.

Hours: Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m. until noon; 2 to 5 p.m.; Weekends 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.

National Center of Art and Culture

The former Fabrica Nacional de Licores (National Liquor Factory), located on Calle 11 between Avenida 5 and Avenida 7, regularly hosts various cultural activities and art exhibits.

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Perez Zeledon Regional Museum

San Isidro del General, Costa Rica

This museum hosts a collection of pieces associated with development of the "campesino" (farmers) history of the area.

Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Postal Services Museum

Avenida 1, Calle 3
Segundo piso del edificio de Correos de San Jose
San José, Costa Rica
Tel: 506-223-9766 Ext. 269

Founded in 1985 to display stamps and other objects related to the history and development of the Costa Rican postal service.

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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