Costa Rica is well known for its natural environments. But, beyond the volcanoes, the beaches, the waterfalls and the forests, you can also visit a few very interesting museums.
The museums of Costa Rica are mainly historical and natural, but you can also enjoy some good art. The main museums are located in San José, Costa Rica’s Capital City. All of them are places nearby and close to the city downtown due to a estatal project meant to build an interdisciplinary road of culture named “El paseo de los museos” or “The walk of the museums”.
Near the Culture Square and the Democracy Square, you can find the 3 main museums of the country:
- The National Museum of Costa Rica
- The Museum of Jade and Pre-Columbian Culture
- The Central Bank Museum
If you visit one, you must get to know the other ones, but, in case you need to choose, this is what each one of them is about.
- The National Museum of Costa Rica
This is an archaeological/historical museum. This is one of the most complete historical museums related to the European invasion and the further development of the pre-columbian cultures. There, you can find pieces like the famous Costa Rica’s Stone Spheres, also known as the Diquis Stone Spheres.
- The Museum of Jade and Pre-Columbian Culture
This museum is worldwide recognised for the work they do on preserving and protecting pre-columbian patrimony. They have a collection of over 7000 pre-columbine objects, but also art pieces dating back to that time. Beside these incredibles collections, the museum have the particularity of being built in a building that seeks to replicate a jade stone. This is definitely an interdisciplinary experience you shouldn’t miss.
- The Central Bank Museum
In this museum you will find all kinds of national treasures. Here, you can find more archaeological and historical material, but also the most valuable modern art pieces of the country. You can find a gold room, where you will si pre-hispanic gold pieces, the numismatics room, where you will learn all you need to know about the economic and social development of modern Costa Rica. And finally, you can walk into the temporary display room, where you will see modern art pieces by local artists.
Whether you’re into archeology and nature or art and culture, San José is the right city to learn all about it.
Get your car from Budget and discover the museums of Costa Rica.