Puntarenas Museums

(Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Apart from the Puntarenas Marine History Museum on the Avenida Central, the bulk of Costa Rican museums are to be found in the capital city, San Jose.

The magnificence of pre-Columbian gold and jade artefacts is the major draw card here, and for those wishing to know the cultures in which these masterpieces were created, there's plenty of scope in the city's many other museums. San Jose is within driving distance of Puntarenas and well worth the trip.

Marine History Museum (Museo Historico Marino)

Address: Avenida Central, Between Calle 3 and Calle 5, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, CR
Tel: +506 2661 5036
Next to both La Casa de la Cultura and the Catholic Cathedral attractions, this charming little museum focuses on the city's long maritime history. Displays of archaeological exhibits, local traditional artefacts, pre-Columbian items (including funerary ritual implements) and a number of artistically arranged skeletons greet the visitor. Exhibits at the Museo Historico Marino are labelled in both English and Spanish, with old photographs and audiovisual presentations all adding to the appeal.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 08:00 to 13:00, 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

San Jose Jade Museum (Museo del Jade)

Address: Avenida 5-7, Calle 11-13 bis, INS building, San Jose, Costa Rica, CR
Tel: +506 223 5800
Just under two hour's drive from Puntarenas, the fabulous Jade Museum is a must-see for visitors to Costa Rica. It holds the world's largest and most valuable collection of bright green pre-Colombian jade masterpieces, collected from all over Latin America. Technologically and artistically amazing, the collection dates from the 5th century BC to the 9th century AD.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 15:30
Admission: charge

Costa Rica National Museum (Museo Nacional)

Address: Calle 17 / Avenida 2, San Jose, Costa Rica, CR
Tel: +506 257 1433
Costa Rica's National Museum takes visitors on a fascinating journey through the country's history, from the pre-Columbian era to the present day. Located in the capital city's Old Fort, a historic attraction in its own right, each development in the country's long heritage is carefully covered. Displayed are pre-Columbian and religious art works, while the sunny courtyard garden has good views of the city.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 08:30 to 16:00, Sunday - 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

San Jose Gold Museum (Museo Oro Precolombino)

Address: Plaza de la Culture, San Jose, Costa Rica, CR
Tel: +506 243 4202
Costa Rica literally translates as the 'Rich Coast', being named for its proliferation of gold and its usage in olden times. The incredible glittering pre-Columbian objects displayed at San Jose's Museo Oro Precolombino give proof of the artistic and religious significance of this precious metal to the early inhabitants of the region. The gallery itself is located underground and its security systems are considered state-of-the-art.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 16:30
Admission: charge

More information about San Jose museums.