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Most people do not spend a lot of time in the city of San Jose, Costa Rica, using only as the entrance and exit point in the country for travel to beaches and rainforest locations. However, there are many worthy attractions in San Jose that will truly amaze you. For example, this city is home to some of the best museums in Central America and contains a wealth of fascinating artefacts of the pre-Columbian peoples who were discovered by the Spanish explorers.

If you have an interest in art, make sure you include a visit to the Costa Rican Art Museum located in the Parque La Sabana in the Paseo Colon barrio. This is the location for an extensive collection of works in all forms of media by some of the most well-known artists in the country. The pieces on display give a great insight into the native interpretation of the European domination of the country and how these immigrants have changed the look and atmosphere of the country. The conference room of this museum contains an exhibit that chronicles the history of Costa Rica and the outdoor sculpture garden is one place where you will want to just sit and enjoy the scenery.

The Jade Museum is located on the first floor of the National Insurance Company building. Here you will find a huge collection of jade artefacts dating back as far as 800 A.D. Jade was the most valuable commodity among the pre-Columbian peoples of Central America and Mexico and the large pendants you see in this museum are representative of the types of carvings done by the talented artisans. In addition to the displays of jade, there is also a collection of pre-Columbian terra cotta vases, bowls and figurines. The explanations for each display are in both Spanish and English.

Children of all ages will be delighted with a visit to the Children's Museum. All the exhibits are designed to entertain the visitors and include simulations such as the experience of being in an earthquake. Many of them are designed for hands-on play and learning. This museum is quite expansive and will take at least an afternoon in order to see all that it includes.

The National Museum is the most important historical museum in the country. The setting is the former army barracks and there are many bullet holes in the exterior walls. Inside you will enjoy a comprehensive look at the history of Costa Rica from pre-Columbian times until the present. For example, one of the displays is that of a jade carving that dates back 2500 years. The artefacts on display are those that have been uncovered in the numerous archaeological digs throughout the country and provide a glimpse into the daily life of the native peoples who inhabited this land before the arrival of the Europeans.

The Gold Museum is one that you just have to visit. This underground museum is very unusual and is the home of one of the largest collections of pre-Columbian gold in the Western world. There are more than 2000 gold objects on display and the setting for each shows it off to its best advantage. There is also a small gift shop on site where you can buy souvenirs to take back home with you.

Learn more about this author, Frances Stanford.
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