San José Museums - National Museum

(Local Name: Museo Nacional) The National Museum is housed in the Bellavista fortress, the former army headquarters and barracks during the 1948 Civil War. The museum offers historical exhibits of Costa Rican archaeology, jade, colonial costumes and furniture, religious relics, and a gold collection that is housed in a separate vault.

An interesting 2,500-year-old seashell shaped jade carving can be seen in the pre-Columbian room. The courtyard features a small garden with cannons and evidence of the Civil War can be seen as hundreds of bullet holes mark the turrets and corners of the building.