Top Things to do in San Jose
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What to do and see in San Jose, Province of San Jose: The Best Museums
Vibrant and packed with Victorian mansions, Costa Rica's rowdy, bustling capital was built on the profits of the coffee trade and working "golden bean" plantations still surround the city. Try freshly roasted local beans at Mercado Central. For shinier gold, visit the Museo del Oro. Many renovated landmarks now house stylish hotels. Usually viewed as a hub, rather than a destination, nightlife is concentrated in Spanish village-inspired El Pueblo. Don't miss the elegant 1897 National Theater.
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1. National Museum Of Costa Rica
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By MrsHill - Atlanta, United States
This was a great tour of the history of Costa Rica... the museum takes you through a time tunnel... Beautifully done.. you don’t really need a guide as I think you need time to read everything... we went on our own and paid $33 each and we can visit anytime during our trip. $33 was for 3 museums - 1)jade museum, 2) national museum 3)Pre-Colombian gold museum. The national museum took us all day because there is so much.
2. Museo de Arte Costarricense
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 357 reviews
This museum displays works by local artists.
Reviewed By CathyPar
Although this is only small, the building itself is beautiful ( formerly the San José airport) and contains some excellent examples of Costa Rican art including several impressive sculptures in the outside exhibition area.
3. Jade Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,301 reviews
The Jade Museum and of precolumbian culture is positioned as an innovative state-of-the-art cultural proposal in the protection and conservation of archaeological heritage in Central America. Located in the center of Costa Rics's capital, the building was especially constructed to house the museum's collection, its architecture evoking a cut jade block. Its five levels exhibit objects crafted by artisans specialized in solving their daily subsistence needs, their spiritual and political world.
Reviewed By jbourgeo - Seattle, United States
This museum, also reviewed by Trip Advisor visitors under its name, Museo de Jade (ha-day), has an overwhelming collection of jade and pottery (and a few gold works) recovered from parts of Costa Rica. At first I was a bit frustrated by the volume of materials without much information, until I learned that there were supposed to be (and are) computer screens/kiosks which will tell you more; many of them were not working, but many were (I learned). In any case, soon I was immersed in the experience, as there are many informative displays, including dioramas. The "day" and "night" exhibits, and the "memories" exhibit, are stunning. I spent more time than most people (based on being "passed" many times), I was enthralled. Do allow at least a couple hours. There are quite a few activities for young people, I think it's a good family museum, overall. Spanish is of course the dominant language, but there are many signs and subtitles in English. In sum, this museum helped me realize just how complex and complete pre-Columbian Costa Rican culture was. Fascinating art and artisanry, you will make an authentic connection with these peoples.
4. Centro Costarricense de Ciencias y Cultura
5. Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,405 reviews
A large collection of indigenous gold art.
Reviewed By F912ZCjosem
It's an excellent option while in San Jose. In particular, during rainy days. This attraction is very affordable and will entertain you and your family for 3-5 hours. I've spent 5 hours in there, but you can make this attraction as long or as short as you want. However, it's a very interesting collection.
6. Museo de los Ninos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 437 reviews
Reviewed By kingmodiddy - San Diego, United States
This museum blew us away it was unexpected we had some extra time in San Jose with my four-year-old son they had 2 zip lines going across the upper part of the museum as well as two suspended walkways very safe they put on harnesses attach the lines as well as helmets staff on either end of the obstacles. There was a cars movie themed area with all of the cars from the movie and lots of different rooms that showed the historical prison cells it used to be. Highly recommend
7. Galeria Namu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 206 reviews
Galeria Namu is a fair trade art gallery for local and indigenous artists from Costa Rica and surrounding Central America countries. Established in 1998 at this same location, visitors to Costa Rica's capital city of San Jose can find us easily behind the Holiday Inn (across from Parque Morazan).Knowledge and passion for the artists and their work is what makes a visit to Galeria Namu special; the owner, Aisling, and her son Conall, along with their support staff love to share with visitors the background of the tribe or individual artisans and the remarkable collection of unique and very special pieces available for purchase. For the past 15 years, Galeria Namu has nurtured a relationship with the artists who create folk art, gold and jade replicas, handwoven baskets, originals paintings, tagua carvings and jewelry and much more. Visit the website for hours and a sampling of what you will encounter. Be prepared to catch their enthusiasm for fair trade with these local arts and crafts.
Reviewed By HellenM671 - Arlington, United States
The store provides a wide range of artistic and unique goods from all over Costa Rica and is clearly a place to go if you are interested in authentic pieces which are locally made and support local artists, It is therefore also not necessarily on the cheap side but you can find things in every price range, I really liked that we were given background information on the items we bought and the artists and communities which produced them. It is clearly worse a visit and highly recommended.
8. Museo de Ciencias Naturales La Salle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
The Museum Go out For Her it is a Museum of Natural Sciences considered as one of the Iberoamerica's best, we tell with mas of 70.000 samples in exhibition, podras to find great variety of animals dissected in different rooms. Birds, Archaeology, Fish and Reptiles, Insects, Shells, Corals, Mammalian Fossils, Dinosaurs, Skeletons species preserved in Liquids and much more.. Visit Us
9. Museo del Jade y la Cultura Precolombina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
The Jade Museum and of pre-Columbian Culture is positioned a an innovative state-of-the art cultural proposal in the protection and conservation of acheological heritage in Central America
Reviewed By jcabezas2016 - San Jose, Costa Rica
Ride the elevator to the top floor and slowly walk around seeing how piecdes are being restored and later placed in very artistic exhibition sectors. Walk down the staires or take the elvator one floor at a time. Each floor hs a different theme. The museum is located in the Eastern side of San José's Central Avenue.
10. Numismatic Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
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