Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and Numismatic Museum
CultureOpen
Museums and theatres
in San José
The capital’s museums cover the country’s pre-Columbian, political and artistic history, and most are within walking distance of the centre. Check closing days: several do not open on Mondays
Places in this guide
Compare the places and save your favourites. Opening hours and prices change: confirm them before you go.
- See the full card: Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and Numismatic Museum
- See the full card: National Museum of Costa Rica (Bellavista Barracks)
National Museum of Costa Rica (Bellavista Barracks)
CultureOpen
- See the full card: Jade Museum (Museum of Jade and Pre-Columbian Culture)
Jade Museum (Museum of Jade and Pre-Columbian Culture)
CultureOpen
- See the full card: National Theatre
National Theatre
CultureOpen
- See the full card: Children’s Museum and National Gallery (Costa Rican Centre of Science and Culture)
5Children’s Museum and National Gallery (Costa Rican Centre of Science and Culture)
CultureOpen
- See the full card: Costa Rican Art Museum (MAC)
Costa Rican Art Museum (MAC)
CultureOpen
- See the full card: Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MADC), CENAC7
Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MADC), CENAC
CultureOpen
- See the full card: Central Post Office Building and Philatelic Museum
Central Post Office Building and Philatelic Museum
CultureOpen
- See the full card: Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia Historical Museum
Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia Historical Museum
CultureOpen
- See the full card: University of Costa Rica Insect Museum10
University of Costa Rica Insect Museum
CultureOpen
- See the full card: La Salle Natural Science Museum11
La Salle Natural Science Museum
CultureOpen
- See the full card: Melico Salazar Popular Theatre
Melico Salazar Popular Theatre
CultureOpen
More guides for this destination
Historic centre walk
Plazas, churches and heritage buildings in the order of a west-to-east walk, from Avenida Central to Plaza de la Democracia. Do it in daylight.
Neighbourhoods, markets and food
Neighbourhoods to walk, traditional markets, farmers’ markets and the city’s coffee and bar scene.
Free in San José
Museums with free entry, plazas, parks, churches, neighbourhoods and markets you can explore without paying. The National Museum is free at weekends.
San José on a rainy day
For the rainy afternoons that are common from May to November, there are museums, theatres, covered markets and cafés, all indoors.
Day trips from San José
Volcanoes, coffee farms, gardens, colonial towns and rafting rivers one to three hours from the capital, on your own or with a tour. Leave early to beat the clouds and the traffic.
Closed, restricted or changed
Places that appear in older guides but are now closed, can only be seen from outside or have limited access, with what to do instead.