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 difficult to see in the wild. Insectariums, frog gardens, reptile parks and zoos all offer exceptional displays of Costa Rica's native wildlife. Some even offer non-native exhibits of other unusual animals.

Monteverde is especially rich with living museums.  Snakes and frogs are on exhibit, and there are several butterfly gardens as well as a phenomenal insect collection at Selvatura Park. Several museums and art galleries feature locally made handicrafts inspired by nature.

INBioparque, located in Heredia's Santo Domingo neighborhood, is one of Costa Rica's largest and most thorough living museums. The 12-acre facility is home to re-creations of Costa Rica's rainforests, wetlands, Central Valley forests, dry forests and farmlands. Various collections – insects, frogs and toads, spiders, snakes, iguanas, turtles, caimans, fish, butterflies and more – are interspersed throughout the park, mingling with free-roaming animals and migratory birds. The park is a superb introduction to Costa Rica's varied ecosystems, and a highly recommended beginning to an eco-friendly vacation.