Walking Distance Attractions - San Jose, Costa Rica

It is a museum but also the must important theater of the country. This 1897 palace was recently considered by Mexico's Ex-President Vicente Fox more beautiful than any existing building in Mexico. Admire during the morning the nineteen Century Italian paintings, the gold finishing and marble statues. At the same time it offers in the afternoon or at night opera, theater or musical shows of international and famous performers.

Official Site: http://www.teatronacional.go.cr

This extraordinary and modern three story underground museum will bring us back to a golden past while we discover the more than 1600 pieces representing marvelous animals and geometrical forms that have been made by mastered aborigine artisans in pre-Columbian time all in a rain forest atmosphere.

Official Site: http://www.museosdelbancocentral.org

This is the place where Costa Rica eliminated the army for ever in 1949. Located in a very well persevered old military fortress the National Museum tells the story of Costa Rica back thousands of years. Burial sites and devices of ceramics, stone and jade relate the history that 12 000 years began to be written. Admire the mystery of the perfect round rock spheres. Discover the great art objects of the Spanish colonial period. Also see the great collection of animals.

Official Site: http://www.museocostarica.go.cr/

This Jade Museum, is the world's largest collection of pre – Colombian jade and the only museum of its kind in the American continent. Displays more than 6,000 pieces, of jade, clay, stone and gold artifacts, dating primarily from 300 BC to AD 700.

Official Site: Jade Museum

This zoo features Asian, African and Costa Rican animals.  It is only eight blocks away form the Gran Hotel Costa Rica in a beautiful old nineteen century French neighborhood.

Official Site: http://fundazoo.org/indice.php/51

This one centric old market, built in 1880, is the meeting place of all the producers of fresh vegetables of San José as well as fishermen who bring their products from the Pacific Ocean. Here you will also find all kind of handcrafts of different parts of the country. It is located only 6 blocks away (West direction).

Official Site: http://www.crtraveler.com/english/article.php?id=230