San Jose, Costa Rica Attractions

One of San José's top attractions, this museum houses the world's largest collection of American jade as well as ceramics, stonework and gold exhibits. The museum is also known for its excellent views of San José that are taken in from the 11th floor windows - bring your camera.

This museum houses one of the largest collections of pre-Columbian gold pieces in the Americas. Over 20,000 troy ounces of gold in more than 2,000 objects are found in the museum complex that also offers coin and stamp collections as well as a display of Costa Rican art.

This bustling, crowded market offers a variety of fresh produce and goods such as leatherwork for sale. Several vendors can be found on the streets surrounding the Central Market.

This busy park is the place to catch many of the downtown buses.

Offering views of San José and the surrounding mountains, this plaza features a few interesting sculptures. The western end of the plaza features an open-air craft market with many goods for sale.

This is Costa Rica's principal international airport, serving the entire country. Airlines often fly to Costa Rica via the United States.

Many statues and monuments can be found here, including a dome-roofed structure called Templo de Música (Temple of Music) in the center of the park. A Japanese garden is found in the northeast area of the park.

Surrounded by many important buildings, the National Park is pleasant and shady. The park features two statues of note; the first in the center of the park depicting the Central American nations driving out William Walker. The second statue is of national hero Juan Santamaría, found in the southwest corner of the park.

Interesting buildings and museums are found in this plaza. Street vendors are often found wandering the western end of the plaza, and it is a good place to watch the comings and goings of Costa Ricans.

The displays at the Children's Museum encourage hands-on play and allow children to learn and experience science, music, geography and other subjects. Visitors can experience a simulated earthquake and make music by dancing across the floor. The museum is housed in the old penitentiary and parts of the jail can still be visited.

Housed in an old airport terminal, this museum exhibits a collection of works in all media by Costa Rica's most celebrated artists of the 19th and 20th C. Rotating shows of local artists are featured, and the sculpture collection is one of particular note.

This museum features a large, extensive collection of exotic insects. It has been put together and curated by the University of Costa Rica.

This museum features changing shows by working Costa Rican artists. The museum also hosts travelling international exhibits.

This museum contains exhibits of criminal acts with the stated objective of deterring crime.

Housed in the old Colegio (high school) La Salle, this museum features exhibits of paleontology and archaeology, including a large collection of mounted butterflies.

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.

This small museum features postal, telegraphic and stamp-collecting exhibits.

This small museum features an interesting collection of live snakes, lizards, frogs and piranhas housed in large terrariums that stimulate their natural environments. Many of Costa Rica's most exotic species are on display, including the tiny, brilliantly colored poisonous arrow frog.

This spacious park features a lagoon and fountain and is a good place to picnic under shade trees. The park offers many sports facilities, including tennis courts, volleyball, baseball and basketball areas, jogging paths and an Olympic-size swimming pool. The national stadium where soccer games are held is also found in Parque La Sabana.

This small national zoo features Asian, African, and Costa Rican animals. Many Costa Rican plants found within the Simón Bolivar park are labeled with species identifications.

Featuring some of the tallest trees in San José, several birdsongs can be heard in the park just before sunset. On Sundays there is a colorful art market held in the park.

This butterfly garden offers a good introduction to the life cycle of butterflies and a close-up look of the species found in Costa Rica. A self-guided tour book is offered upon arrival. The calm, garden setting is an oasis in San José.

Turu Ba Ri is a tropical park featuring an unspoiled 595 acres with forest trails and exclusive botanical collections. Over 300 species of wild plants, trees and wildflowers can be seen along the mountain trails. Within Turu Ba Ri, over 150 species of birds have made their homes. Adventure seekers can test their skills on the Tarzan Swing or 260 ft high climbing wall.