Costa Rica's museums are many and varied, from the Pre-Columbian art displays in the Gold Museum to the Children's Museum just north of San Jose. Most are located in downtown San Jose, and are easy walking distance from the Plaza de la Cultura.

Children's Museum

Located in downtown San José, this museum is unlike any other in Central America. At one time an old military prison, this complex was converted into an interactive and educational experience for its children. Costa Rica was sending the message that the future of this tiny country was not going to be that of bloodshed and strife. Instead, its future would be the education and care of its children.

Gold Museum

The Gold museum, in downtown San José, is easily the country's best with thousands of different examples of Pre-Colombian gold artifacts. The pieces in the collection date from 500 BE to 1600 AD, when the new world was discovered by Christopher Columbus an the artifacts range from simple round earrings to intricately worked representations of local animals. Tastefully exhibited with great lighting and clear concise descriptions, the museum opens a window into the past and into lives of those indigenous groups that lived in Costa Rica.

Joyas del Tropico Museum

Located in Santo Domingo de Heredia, 100 meters east of the cementery, this natural history museum exhibits insects from tropical rainforests throughout the world. Open Tuesday-Sunday and requires a $5.00 fee for tourists/foreigners.

National Museum