Museums in San Jose
Top Museums in San Jose, Costa Rica
Museums in San Jose
Category types
Museums
Traveller rating
Good for
24 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Speciality Museums • Natural History Museums
Speciality Museums • Natural History Museums
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Speciality Museums
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries
What travellers are saying
- Charles HFlorianopolis, Brazil34 contributionsThe building itself is very interesting. The temporary exhibits were local artists, which was informatively presented and very interesting. The gold exhibit and Indigenous presentations were very well done. If your interests are pre-Colombian, this is for you. It’s a good morning trip and it’s located in a great spot to walk around town as well.Written November 16, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Peter mHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam3 contributionsWe were looking for something interesting to do on our one day in San Jose Costa Rica and the Jade Museum was perfect. Beautifully laid out and covered multiple aspects of Costa Rican culture, not just the jade artifacts. We booked an amazing airbnb (Cando) right across the street that featured a courtyard garden and had a wonderful time.Written November 26, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- vcinmdColumbia, MD55 contributionsMy husband and I had one day in San Jose before our tour started and we are so glad we picked this museum from all the others in the area. We knew very little of Costa Rica history and learned so much. The exhibits were so interesting and there were many helpful details and videos to explain the exhibits. The outdoor courtyard was very pleasant. The butterfly garden was so beautiful and peaceful.Written December 3, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Steve TrillPhiladelphia, PA5 contributionsGreat to get a bit of Culture and history of Costa Rica! Was told to check this location out and was pleased. Very interesting art work from old to new. Talented artist across the country make up this wonderful Museum.Written August 29, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- LenH0647Garrison, NY15 contributionsIt was excellent with 2 qualifiers. It is really for younger kids (8 or under) and most of the exhibitions are in Spainish although many of the guides speak EnglishWritten August 13, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Scenic581483621701 contributionI spent hours with Conall, the owner of this wonderful gallery. Incredible variety of art and artesania. The prices are excellent and since it is free trade this means that the artists get paid a great deal more than from the regular art galleries or artesania shops. Conall shares a great deal with many ex pats who have made Costa Rica their home. He has traveled to all the various regions in Costa Rica and has developed close friendships with the artists. Due to COVID he had to let go many employees so now essentially is running the gallery alone. Please make sure to call ahead prior to going to the gallery. it is VERY centrally locat4d, across from a small but beautiful park next to the Sleep Inn hotel. I would trust this gallery over any other in San Jose.Written June 3, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- StephenCrossDublin, Ireland18,409 contributionsFree admission to the museum of contemporary art. It’s an interesting building. We did not get to the area upstairs which was a pity.Written April 9, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Margaret BSt Martin / St Maarten260 contributionsThis was my first trip to a jade museum, and I was impressed with the variety of colors it comes in. Descriptions and labeling were informative.Written February 22, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Quinten JiskootAmsterdam, The Netherlands530 contributionsThe museum is interesting for anyone visiting Costa Rica. The visit starts with a walk through a butterfly garden, very nice! Then you can learn more about the history of this tiny (and now peaceful) country, one of the most stable in Latin-America, if not the most stable. Finally, the archeology section is quite interesting, especially because you do not expect it here.Written December 2, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- nzkiwi99auckland101 contributionsProbably one of my favourite places on the planet. Please - never change this museum. Don't upgrade it!
It truly is a wonderful treasure, and has bought me immense joy.Written August 5, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - JotumKnoxville, TN1,543 contributionsNow a small museum, this was the house of a previous president who was a medical doctor and social reformer of Costa Rica. Not a lot to see, but interesting for a few minutes and the Russian embassy is across the street.Written February 26, 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- piriotStresa, Italy642 contributionsThis used to be the main building of the old airport. Wonderful building, lovely art both in and out of the venue. We just loved this.Written December 28, 2015This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- jronkowskiChicago, IL196 contributionsDo you like contemporary art. Depending on the show you might like this place. It was free the day I went because only 2 rooms were open. I saw mostly video art. Check the website and if the show appeals it might be worth a look . But if this is not your thing skip it. The contemporary sculpture in the lovely nearby park is free and definitely worth a look. .Written March 1, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- bighackSan Miguel de Allende, Mexico77 contributionsThis is a low tech but fantastic museum, with beautiful specimens and a lot of information (mostly Spanish) on all kinds of bugs. The staff was super helpful and showed us their lab room with lots of living (and creepy) insects. The museum is hidden in the basement of the UCR Music building, and well worth a visit.Written January 14, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- County-HunterTacoma, WA3,176 contributionsWe were on a private tour of downtown San Jose with the itinerary pretty much up to us. We decided to skip the Jade museum and instead went here. It was a good decision. We found the museum better than expected. It wasn't crowded and there was a lot of exhibits to see and explore. Learned a lot. All in all an enjoyable visit.Written August 26, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about San Jose
- These places are best for museums in San Jose:
- Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
- Jade Museum
- Museo Nacional De Costa Rica
- Museo de los Ninos
- Museo de Arte Costarricense
- These are the best places for kid-friendly museums in San Jose:
- Jade Museum
- Museo de Arte Costarricense
- Museo Nacional De Costa Rica
- Museo de los Ninos
- Museo del Jade y la Cultura Precolombina
- These are the best places for groups seeking museums in San Jose:See more museums for groups in San Jose on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for budget-friendly museums in San Jose:
- Jade Museum
- Museo de Arte Costarricense
- Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
- Museo Nacional De Costa Rica
- Museo de los Ninos