National Museum of Costa Rica

National museum · San José

National Museum of Costa Rica

National museum · San José

5

Cuesta de Moras, Av. Central, San José, Bella Vista, 10101, Costa Rica

Photos

National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by Photo by Héctor Calderón
National Museum of Costa Rica by Photo by Héctor Calderón
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null
National Museum of Costa Rica by null

Highlights

Archaeological, wildlife, cultural & military exhibits; butterfly garden  

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Cuesta de Moras, Av. Central, San José, Bella Vista, 10101, Costa Rica Get directions

museocostarica.go.cr
@museonacionalcr

Information

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Cuesta de Moras, Av. Central, San José, Bella Vista, 10101, Costa Rica Get directions

+506 2211 5700
museocostarica.go.cr
@museonacionalcr
𝕏
@museonacionalcr

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Last updated

Nov 1, 2025

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@travelleisure

This Is the Most Budget-friendly Spring Break Destination

"A prominent cultural institution in the capital offering exhibits on the nation's history and heritage, making it a recommended stop for visitors interested in Costa Rican culture." - Taryn White Taryn White Taryn White is a D.C.-based travel writer who covers a wide range of topics, including family travel, hotels, food, aviation, beaches, historical and cultural topics, and wellness travel. She can often be spotted around the world with her husband and two travel-loving kids. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/san-jose-costa-rica-budget-friendly-spring-break-11691112
View Postcard for National Museum of Costa Rica
@travelleisure

How to Have an Accessible Costa Rica Trip, From Hotels and Tour Operators to Transportation

"A wheelchair-accessible national museum housed in a converted fortress that offers exhibits on natural history, anthropology and archaeology and includes a butterfly garden on the grounds." - Ashley Couto

https://www.travelandleisure.com/accessible-costa-rica-7975141
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@afar

"National Museum of Costa Rica Thewallsof the National Museum still bear the scars of cannonballs. The museum, formerly the Bellavista barracks, was where prisoners were jailed, in cells that can be visitedby those interested inhow prisons and dungeons worked. Less grim aspects of Costa Rica are explored here, too, including a complete wing on pre-Columbian history and indigenous gold; a national history section, with photos and objects dating from colonial times to independent, republican days; and an area devoted to the country’s natural setting, including a great butterfly garden. In addition to the prison, the building’s past is explored inthe so-called Casas de los Comandantes—in useat theend of the 19th century andcontainingthe era’s luxurious furnishings—as well as another scarred wall. This one iswhere a mace blow was struck to abolish the Costa Rican army, turning the nation into an official land of peace. By Travesías"

The Best Things to Do in Costa Rica
View Postcard for National Museum of Costa Rica
@afar

"National Museum of Costa Rica Thewallsof the National Museum still bear the scars of cannonballs. The museum, formerly the Bellavista barracks, was where prisoners were jailed, in cells that can be visitedby those interested inhow prisons and dungeons worked. Less grim aspects of Costa Rica are explored here, too, including a complete wing on pre-Columbian history and indigenous gold; a national history section, with photos and objects dating from colonial times to independent, republican days; and an area devoted to the country’s natural setting, including a great butterfly garden. In addition to the prison, the building’s past is explored inthe so-called Casas de los Comandantes—in useat theend of the 19th century andcontainingthe era’s luxurious furnishings—as well as another scarred wall. This one iswhere a mace blow was struck to abolish the Costa Rican army, turning the nation into an official land of peace. By Travesías"

Wood grain pattern
The Perfect Day in San Jose
View Postcard for National Museum of Costa Rica
@nomadicmatt

My 1 Week Costa Rica Road Trip Itinerary for 2025

"If I only visit one museum in San José, it’s the Costa Rican National Museum — housed in the old military fortress, its permanent exhibition traces Costa Rican history from Pre-Columbian times to the present with in-depth, bilingual explanations." - Matthew Kepnes

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/costa-rica-road-trip/
View Postcard for National Museum of Costa Rica

Patrick Min

Google
The National Museum of Costa Rica offers educational and comprehensive exhibits that cover the country's history, archaeology, and natural history, showcasing an impressive collection of artifacts and emphasizing the building's historical significance as a former military barracks. We entered through the butterfly garden, which fascinated us as we observed some butterflies. This garden was not present years ago, and we appreciate that the museum has added this feature. They have also introduced new exhibitions and expanded the building to include the indigenous Societies of the 16th Century exhibit and Costa Rica's culture, which is excellent. The museum closes at 4:15 pm, and the admission fee for non-residents is considerably higher than that for local visitors, which seems unusual.

bi ih

Google
It was a nice museum, but I found the exhibitions somewhat confusing. I wasn't given a map of the museum, so I had to guess the order of the rooms and the direction inside them, since you can enter them from multiple places. In the end, I wasn't able to understand the story of the army and the barracks that are now the museum. Some English translations also didn't seem to capture well what the original content was saying. I had a nice surprise when I was there: there's a concert every last Sunday of the month. This was my favorite part of the visit.

Arjonel Luli

Google
When you enter you walk into a very well-maintained butterfly garden. We saw a few of them (they are hard to spot) and a lot of chrysalises. There were signs around the garden describing the lives of butterflies. The museum walks you through the history of Costa Rica, beginning with incredible stone artefacts up to 2,000 years old, through to the modern period. This is a great place for a tourist in Costa Rica to start to get a holistic understanding of the country’s history before beginning their travels.

Christabella

Google
Oh my! How I loved this museum. The butterfly garden was completely unexpected but a pleasant welcome. So much rich history and lots to see, learn and admire. There is a “secret” door that leads to the rooftop for incredible skyline views and sounds of the City. The receptionist and security that checked me in were also helpful. There were also docents and guides available in certain exhibits to provide more insight and answer questions.

Elle

Google
Beautiful museum. And very informative on Costa Rican History and Culture. You can start in the Butterfly Garden and go through the Pre-Colombian History section and then the Costa Rican History section and then visit the special exhibits and other rooms. I enjoyed seeing the historical artifacts they’d collected and learning about their historical and cultural significance and also just learning about Costa Rica in general. I would recommend either a guided tour or a self tour but at or towards the beginning of your visit. You don’t have to buy tickets in advance but be mindful that the museum closes at 4:15 pm even though the website says 4:30 pm.

Tomas Z

Google
This is a great national museum in an old prison and military building. Entering the building you’ll walk up some ramps in a butterfly enclosure to see some beautiful plants. You can look through the old prison cells, and get a sense of how Costa Rica came about with a good exhibit showing the region from pre-colonial days to now. It doesn’t shy away from some of the darker aspects of their history, and even recent events and struggles which was really refreshing. The reclaimed artefacts on display are absolutely amazing, and the central courtyard jungle with large stone orbs is a must see too. It’s a great museum so give yourself 1-2 hours if you’re a fast paced tourist like me.

Gustavo Quintero

Google
It is mostlya history museum with the additional butterfly place inside. They have items from thousand years old from Natives and also from the Spanish period and contemporary times. This is worth it a visit.

IPI Business

Google
Very well run and set up museum. The history of Costa Rica is well explained from modern to Pre-Colombian. The stone carved tabled and gold jewelry were especially of interest to me.