Whether you are a lover of the arts, an avid museum visitor, or someone who genuinely finds pleasure in discovering hidden artistic gems within a country, we can safely say that Costa Rica has it all. Suppose you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, and this is your primary focus. In that case, it is worth getting in touch with a local Destination Expert who will guide you towards the true hidden artistic gems of the region, which will make for an incredible experience.
So it is no surprise that Costa Rica is internationally famous for being the home of some of the most creative beings in the art world, including Francisco Amighetti, Raphael Angel Garcia, and Jorge Gallardo, to name but a few.
You will find that many Costa Rica’s artists tend to use a lot of wild patterns and color combinations to mirror how Costa Rica is as a country in terms of its tropical landscapes and diverse culture.
If you look closely, you will find some fantastic pieces of work which represent this, but first, you will need to know where to begin. So let us tell you about some of the best spots to discover art, museums, and all things creative in the land of Costa Rica.
ART MUSEUMS IN SAN JOSE
Costa Rican Art Museum
Located in La Sabana park in downtown San Jose, you will find this must-visit museum, which has an array of exhibitions such as paintings, sculptures, and prints, as well as telling the story of how Costa Rican artists have made an impact on the art world.
Jade Museum
This museum, located in the capital, houses the most extensive collection of Pre-Columbian jade artifacts in the world and is truly a sight to see. You will be in awe of the 7000 artifacts that you will have the opportunity to set your eyes on, and some include unique traditional pieces such as fertility symbols, reptiles, and shamans.
Costa Rica Children's Museum and National Gallery
This is the ideal spot if you have children and are keen to feast your eyes on some impressive art too because the building houses two museums in one, with science, natural history and geography, and history to keep the kids occupied and a unique art gallery for the adults to discover.
The National Gallery of Contemporary Art and Design
Here, you will find many exhibits focused upon Costa Rican design, architecture, and art. You will be well and indeed occupied with theatres, galleries, and libraries to explore.
MUSEUMS
Historical Marine Museum, Puntarenas
You will most likely find yourself in this area on your Costa Rican trip, and if you do, make sure to stop into this fascinating albeit small museum, which features the marine and ecological history of the region.
Juan Santa Maria Historical Cultural Museum, Alajuela
This museum features many art and cultural exhibitions and focuses on Juan Santa Maria, a national war hero, who died trying to fight off a small US army who intended to make Costa Rica a slave country.
The Gold Museum
Located under the Plaza de las Culturas, you will find the impressive Pre Columbia-Gold Museum, which houses many pieces of gold jewelry and animal figurine artifacts, among many other fascinating works made from gold. The museum was opened originally by donation to enable the country to preserve its history.
The Costa Rican National Museum
Like many National museums around the world, this one has a great mix of things to see related to archeology, natural history, anthropology and is a great starting point for getting to know the culture of this beautiful country.
Architecture
Unlike many of its neighbors, Costa Rica has tiny Pre-Columbian sites like Machu Picchu or Chichen Itza, for instance, but instead has architecture from the colonial era, which you will notice is very similar to Spanish architecture. When touring around the country, there are some main sights to add to your bucket list, including Guayabo, one of the few Pre Columbia historical sites in the country, Las Ruinas de la Parroquia, which is a colonial-era heritage site dedicated to the Catholic Church.
When it comes to modern architecture, you will find some great examples of unique and contemporary buildings, which you shouldn’t miss out on if this interests you. A few notable examples are The Containers of Hope, The Jungle Frame House, and Casa Flotanta.
Monuments
Art and creation can come in the form of historical buildings and monuments, which you will find all over the country, particularly in the bigger towns and, of course, in the capital of San Jose. Some notable monuments to check out when exploring are the central sculpture located in the center of San Jose National Park, Castillo Azul, Casa Amarilla, and The National Theatre of Costa Rica, all of which are worth seeing. A fantastic trip to help you take all Costa Rica has to offer, including the nature and heritage is Costa Rica Essentials.
Local Artisan Crafts
Costa Rica is famous for its incredible woodwork creations, and you will find these all over the country, with a variety of styles depending on the region and, of course, the local artist. There is a strong and proud tradition of woodworking in Costa Rica, and you will generally find many of the one-of-a-kind pieces made from precious wood.
Some great souvenirs can be bought from local artists around the country, and some of the main pieces you will find are bowls, traditional masks, home accessories, and jewelry and leather creations. In a world where many things are bulk bought and factory-made, this is a fantastic art to keep on supporting, and if you get a chance, it is a great experience to watch as a local artist gets to work on a unique piece.
Creating your own
In a post related to art, heritage, culture, and traditions, it is worth noting that Costa Rica is also the perfect destination to create your works of art. So many people feel incredibly inspired by this tropical country, its unique and remarkable landscapes, its wildlife, and its charming and vibrant villages, so much so that many people flock here to write, paint, draw or capture them on camera.
Costa Rica has such a rich history that after spending some time there, it is hard not to want to stay longer to get creative in your way and to express what you have experienced. It is an idyllic country for a peaceful, relaxed, and creative getaway, and if you are a woodworker, sculptor, or artist, you might even be lucky enough to meet some locals and get inspired by them too.
