San José, the capital of Costa Rica (meaning 'rich coast' because of the gold ornaments seen there by Spanish conquistadors) has two museums featuring wonderful Pre-Columbian gold: Museo de Oro Precolombina at the central bank's fine modern building and Museo Nacional de Costa Rica.

Museo del Oro's unique collection of gold artefacts displays the skill of local goldsmiths from 500 AD to 1500. Their ornaments of birds, animals, ritual objects, gods and the tools and utensils of daily life have enormous vitality. A large bird spreads its wings and tail, perhaps drying its feathers, a quizzical human figure has a drum on one hand and what might be the tail of a snake clenched between his teeth and its cheerful head grasped in his hand, and a half-human half-animal figure has webbed feet like snorkelling flippers. The impression of an immensely energetic and humorous society comes through all the time.

The central bank also houses the Museo de Numismatica that presents the monetary history of Costa Rica since 1516, including gold and silver coins, banknotes and payment bills for the local banana and coffee crops.

Museo del Oro Precolombino
Banco Central de Costa Rica
San José
Costa Rica

Tel.     +506 243 4202 (switchboard)
          +506 243 4216 (tickets)
          +506 243 4208 (education)
          +506 243 4214 (public relations)
Fax     +506 243 4220
e-mail  museoro@sol.racsa.co.cr
Web    www.bccr.fi.cr/museos

Open

Tuesday to Sunday 10 - 16.30
(Wednesday open only to Costa Ricans and residents with identification)
Closed Monday