Museums in San Jose
Top Museums in San Jose, Costa Rica
Museums in San Jose
- Traveler favoritesThings to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
- Traveler rankingHighest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveler reviews.
Category types
Museums
Traveler rating
Good for
21 places sorted by traveler favorites
Speciality Museums • Natural History Museums
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Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Art Galleries • History Museums
Speciality Museums • Natural History Museums
Speciality Museums
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Open now
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
What travelers are saying
- Go2967732 contributionsA lot of great information and art, very interesting displays and hand made tools. We took the double decker tour bus through San Jose documenting a lot of historical landmarks along the way. Lunch was also provided at a local eatery.Written September 23, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AnnaHZAurora, CO40 contributionsWe enjoyed the temporary exhibition of Dali/Goya drawings as well as the permanent exhibit. Lots of information and artifacts, very well organized and nicely presented. The only thing I didn’t like: there was no café to have a drink and rest for a moment.Written August 3, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- CiscoTaxLexington, SC15 contributionsI took 5 teens to visit and none in our party spoke Spanish. We spent about 2 hrs. The butterfly exhibit was very well designed. The views from the top were stunning.Written August 10, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dan Gillotte107 contributionsTrip Advisor doesn't seem to have a listing for the Museo Penitencerio that shares space with the Kids museum but it's ultimately separate.
A small but informative museum reckoning with the terrible history of this prison. The museum recreates the conditions using original cells. It includes actual graffiti from the prisoners as well as statues of inmates with authentic artifacts of the the period.
The museum does a good job at taking responsibility for the atrocious conditions they allowed at this site.Written October 18, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Colin FToronto, Canada878 contributionsThis 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, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Companion6055010 contributionsA cut above the usual tourist curios. Very helpful salesman (Irishman from Quebec living in San Jose) who went over the collection and took the time to explain the objects. Great range in prices from small gifts to major art work. Not far from all the museums in San Jose, worth the tripWritten November 20, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- nzkiwi99auckland80 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. - Keith LLancashire, UK14 contributionsAmazing museum with a phenomenal collection of pre-Colombian jade artefacts. All clearly labelled in Spanish and English. Lots of context given, and interesting comparisons with contemporary jewellery and sculpture in Europe and Asia. The background music was also very atmospheric, and suited the displays well.Written December 1, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Alison C12 contributionsWhile staying in San Jose we visited this small but interesting museum. All of the descriptions are in Spanish with no English translations but well presented. Loved the sculptures in the rear courtyard. Also, dont forget to visit tge upstairs rooms with the wall plaques. It was free when we visited.Written April 18, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Adam MNorwich, UK106 contributionsA great place to learn about the country. We did this on day one of our trip before joining a tour. I would highly recommend. It stays with a lovely butterfly space, has ancient art, history of Costa Rica, pre Spanish , post Spanish all the way up to current - including pandemic. Don't miss the art in the old jail rooms.Written August 7, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JotumKnoxville, TN1,449 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.
- bighackSan Miguel de Allende, Mexico76 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, WA3,014 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.
- piriotStresa, Italy639 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, IL195 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.
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