Museo del Oro Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum), San Jose (must see)
Hidden beneath Culture Square in downtown San Jos茅, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum sparkles as one of Costa Rica鈥檚 true underground treasures. Managed by the Central Bank of Costa Rica, this fascinating space houses more than 1,600 gold artifacts dating back to 500 AD, each one gleaming with stories of artistry, power, and ancient prestige.
The exhibits range from delicate amulets, earrings, and animal figurines鈥攅specially frogs, symbols of fertility and transformation鈥攖o a few bold erotic statuettes. The highlight is The Warrior, a life-sized gold figure magnificently adorned with ornaments and displayed in a glass case, embodying the splendor of Costa Rica鈥檚 pre-Columbian heritage.
A replica of a pre-Columbian grave, discovered on a banana plantation in the 1950s, adds a touch of archaeological drama. Filled with 88 gold objects, it captures the ritual and reverence of a long-vanished world.
Just above, the National Coin Museum continues the journey through time, tracing the evolution of currency from 1236 AD to the present. Its displays feature everything from the nation鈥檚 first coin, the Media Escudo of 1825, to coffee tokens and rare banknotes. Highlights also include the early coins of the Mexican Mint, founded in 1535鈥攖he first in the Americas鈥攚hose silver eight-real pieces and pesos became the ancestors of modern currencies, including the U.S. Dollar.
Though modest in size, the museum offers an impressive window into Costa Rica鈥檚 economic history. Blending glittering craftsmanship with cultural insight, it remains one of San Jos茅鈥檚 most captivating and distinctive attractions.
The exhibits range from delicate amulets, earrings, and animal figurines鈥攅specially frogs, symbols of fertility and transformation鈥攖o a few bold erotic statuettes. The highlight is The Warrior, a life-sized gold figure magnificently adorned with ornaments and displayed in a glass case, embodying the splendor of Costa Rica鈥檚 pre-Columbian heritage.
A replica of a pre-Columbian grave, discovered on a banana plantation in the 1950s, adds a touch of archaeological drama. Filled with 88 gold objects, it captures the ritual and reverence of a long-vanished world.
Just above, the National Coin Museum continues the journey through time, tracing the evolution of currency from 1236 AD to the present. Its displays feature everything from the nation鈥檚 first coin, the Media Escudo of 1825, to coffee tokens and rare banknotes. Highlights also include the early coins of the Mexican Mint, founded in 1535鈥攖he first in the Americas鈥攚hose silver eight-real pieces and pesos became the ancestors of modern currencies, including the U.S. Dollar.
Though modest in size, the museum offers an impressive window into Costa Rica鈥檚 economic history. Blending glittering craftsmanship with cultural insight, it remains one of San Jos茅鈥檚 most captivating and distinctive attractions.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Jose. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Museo del Oro Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum) on Map
Sight Name: Museo del Oro Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum)
Sight Location: San Jose, Costa Rica (See walking tours in San Jose)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Jose, Costa Rica (See walking tours in San Jose)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Jose, Costa Rica
Create Your Own Walk in San Jose
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Jose is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
San Jose Introduction Walking Tour
Ricardo Jimenez Oreamuno, former president of Costa Rica, once said: 鈥淪an Jose is the heart of Costa Rica, where the pulse of the nation beats.鈥�
San Jose, Costa Rica's capital, has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The city's origins are tied to the country鈥檚 shift toward independence and urban development. Before becoming the capital, Costa Rica鈥檚 main... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
San Jose, Costa Rica's capital, has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The city's origins are tied to the country鈥檚 shift toward independence and urban development. Before becoming the capital, Costa Rica鈥檚 main... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Shopping and Food Walking Tour
Walking the pedestrian-friendly promenades of Costa Rica's capital 鈥� San Jose 鈥� is a great way to experience the local culture. Despite an occasional rainstorm, the country's tropical weather makes outdoor shopping an undeniably fun experience. The downtown part of San Jose has no shortage of department stores, traditional marketplaces and souvenir shops selling handcrafts.
The... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Historical Buildings Tour
What's known today as San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, came into being as a small settlement during the Spanish invasion, circa the mid-16th century. From a town of little importance, San Jose eventually evolved into a densely-populated cosmopolitan city, built mostly with proceeds from coffee trade.
The historic architecture of San Jose is a mix of European and Latin American styles... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
The historic architecture of San Jose is a mix of European and Latin American styles... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
17 Uniquely Costa Rican Things to Buy in San Jose
Not to be confused with San Jose, the sunny California, San Jose, Costa Rica is the capital city of a wet (250 centimeters of rainfall per year) and colorful Latin American country renowned for its diverse craftsmanship (courtesy of the numerous indigenous tribes), splendid coffee and rich cultural...