Museo de Arte Costarricense
Museo de Arte Costarricense, San Jose: Hours, Address, Museo de Arte Costarricense Reviews: 4.5/5
Museo de Arte Costarricense
Museo de Arte Costarricense
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
This museum displays works by local artists.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
364 reviews
Excellent
205
Very good
119
Average
35
Poor
5
Terrible
0
Colin F
Toronto, Canada840 contributions
Apr 2022
This is an interesting collection of several contemporary artists in Costa Rica's cultural history. The building itself is intriguing to walk around and I spent some time sketching n the courtyard after looking at the work. It's free and the staff are helpful.
Written May 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Raymondocanuck
Saint John, Canada261 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
This museum is in a building which was used as an airport terminal building .
It is free and certainly worth a visit. The building itself is a marvel and the waiting room for dignitaries ( now called the golden room) is a highlight. There are several sculptures outside worth a visit. Sadly, most of the descriptions are in Spanish so google translate is a necessity unless you just wish to admire the work…which we did.
The museum opens t 9 am and we had the place to ourselves other than the cadre of attendants who were very helpful. Five stars.
It is free and certainly worth a visit. The building itself is a marvel and the waiting room for dignitaries ( now called the golden room) is a highlight. There are several sculptures outside worth a visit. Sadly, most of the descriptions are in Spanish so google translate is a necessity unless you just wish to admire the work…which we did.
The museum opens t 9 am and we had the place to ourselves other than the cadre of attendants who were very helpful. Five stars.
Written March 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ladypinkie
Los Angeles, CA18 contributions
Sep 2021
This museum was a real find. It is free and has a unique collection of different types of art by Costa Rican artists. There is also a sculpture garden in the back. It is located at the front of a park, so you can also wander around the park before or after. One of the best art museums I have visited.
Written September 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
OzExpat
Tempe, AZ155 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
This is a small art museum at one end of Parque La Sabana that I almost didn’t go to - I’m so glad I did!! The art was contemporary and well worth a look - Costa Rican artists. Also the building is the old San Jose Air Terminal and is itself definitely worth a look. I spent well over an hour here - it was relaxing and just a nice place to hang out for a while. The former executive lounge on the second floor was quite wonderful. If you like modern art and architecture don’t miss this. It’s also free!!!
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Diane K
Venice, FL3,706 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We enjoyed visiting this free art museum. It features Costa Rican art. The art was very colorful and interesting. The building used to be the terminal for the San Jose airport. Upstairs you can visit the business lounge with beautiful carved walls depicting Costa Rica’s history.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
YasmineSAN
Berlin, Germany93 contributions
Dec 2018
Totally random but fantastic small art museum near the football stadium, a 15-20 min walk from the historical city centre. The building is the old city airport and it has a beautiful garden with sculptures on the grounds.
It is free (closes on Mondays) and has a large collection, primarily from 4 different Latin American artists and a large room covered in panels by a silver smith. The paintings in the main entry hall are particularly interesting.
I was surprised by how interesting and well curated this little place was. Highly recommended
It is free (closes on Mondays) and has a large collection, primarily from 4 different Latin American artists and a large room covered in panels by a silver smith. The paintings in the main entry hall are particularly interesting.
I was surprised by how interesting and well curated this little place was. Highly recommended
Written December 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
taem111
South Burlington, VT105 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
Former airport, this is a colonial style building from the last century The Gold Room is really spectacular with a bas relief mural depiction of Costa Rican history since pre colonization times to the recent past. The permanent sculpture garden is evocative as well, though it could benefit from some information about the works. One of the changing exhibitions that of Julio Escamez, sculpture, painter, workblock artist was extremely interesting, And the price was right: free!
A tip: buses to and from many stations in San Jose stop in front of the La Sabana Park which is next to the museum. Uber cost me 2250 colones from Escazu, but the bus back was only 465. Another tip: the little portable snack shacks in the park sell granizados (or "Churchill's) shaved ice condensed milk, flavor syrup and some powdered ingredient that mixes with the ice and syrup to make a deliciously fatal snack for 1000 colones. Ever LA country has its shaved ice treat, but this is something special!
A tip: buses to and from many stations in San Jose stop in front of the La Sabana Park which is next to the museum. Uber cost me 2250 colones from Escazu, but the bus back was only 465. Another tip: the little portable snack shacks in the park sell granizados (or "Churchill's) shaved ice condensed milk, flavor syrup and some powdered ingredient that mixes with the ice and syrup to make a deliciously fatal snack for 1000 colones. Ever LA country has its shaved ice treat, but this is something special!
Written December 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
2275Waves
Comox, Canada107 contributions
Feb 2015 • Solo
The bas-relief wall panels on the second floor, rescued from the old airport's executive lounge, are stunning. They appear to be wood or bronze but in reality are stucco/cement.
The main floor features many nooks and crannies housing contemporary art installations and older paintings with explanations in both ingles y espanol. All are high quality.
Had to laugh (or cry) at an exhibit labelled "Antiques" that included toys and magazines from my 1950s childhood..... Ouch....
Outdoor sculpture garden is beautifully arranged, taking advantage of the day's changing light.
Best of all, my Sunday afternoon visit was Free!
Well done, Costa Rica. Puros dieces, mae!
The main floor features many nooks and crannies housing contemporary art installations and older paintings with explanations in both ingles y espanol. All are high quality.
Had to laugh (or cry) at an exhibit labelled "Antiques" that included toys and magazines from my 1950s childhood..... Ouch....
Outdoor sculpture garden is beautifully arranged, taking advantage of the day's changing light.
Best of all, my Sunday afternoon visit was Free!
Well done, Costa Rica. Puros dieces, mae!
Written March 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ed4_vida_rica
Portsmouth, VA445 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
No admission charged here!!!! And the bonus, this is a WONDERFUL museum. The exhibits offer a representation of all stages and periods of Costa Rican art and artists.
The building was originally the terminal building for Costa Rica's international airport that was where La Sabana Park is now. The building is gorgeous! One large conference room upstairs has breathtakingly decorated plaster that pictographically offers the history and development of the country from pre-Columbian to the 1930's. The room is a national treasure.
The building was originally the terminal building for Costa Rica's international airport that was where La Sabana Park is now. The building is gorgeous! One large conference room upstairs has breathtakingly decorated plaster that pictographically offers the history and development of the country from pre-Columbian to the 1930's. The room is a national treasure.
Written December 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CPhillips
Barrie, Canada1,060 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
The former airport terminal from a more romantic time for travel - this building is a treasure - make sure you don't miss the former VIP lounge on the second floor! The grounds are also an oasis from the nearby non stop traffic of the city. The only exhibit they had when we were there was one on eroticism and while there were a couple of nice pieces, have to say it seemed more tacky than erotic to us. Guess each to their own. It was free admission and that was much appreciated. Sabina Park - the former airport is behind it and a lovely place to walk and see CR families at leisure.
Written January 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Horario de atención hoy sábado
Tata34
Bogota43 contributions
Seguro ya lo averiguó!! Abren a las 9 cierran a las 5.
Lacey s
Portland, OR15 contributions
How much does entrance cost?
Suzanne F
Budapest, Hungary50 contributions
It's for free. Do not expect a large museum, though, in case you are used to the large European museums. It's basically composed of a large main hall at the entrance, two small rooms at the North side, about a Southern room sectioned in three, two rooms at the Eastern side and a foyer looking West. Add to it, there's a beautiful room upstairs, reached through a lovely staircase and narrow passages that look over the main hall. Can be complicated if you suffer from fear to heights, but the view of the Waiting Room of the old airport is worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions about Museo de Arte Costarricense
- Museo de Arte Costarricense is open:
- Tue - Sun 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- We recommend booking Museo de Arte Costarricense tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 Museo de Arte Costarricense tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Museo de Arte Costarricense:
- (0.12 mi) Hotel Parque del Lago
- (0.16 mi) Relax Hostel
- (0.21 mi) Tryp by Wyndham San Jose Sabana
- (0.30 mi) La Sabana Hotel Suites Apartments
- (0.28 mi) Crowne Plaza San Jose Corobici Conf. Center
- Restaurants near Museo de Arte Costarricense:
- (0.10 mi) Soda Tapia
- (0.14 mi) Las Mananitas
- (0.20 mi) Aqui Es
- (0.12 mi) Iconos
- (0.14 mi) Central Pub