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| CENTRAL
REGION |
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| MAIN
ATTRACTIONS IN SAN JOSE |
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| NATIONAL
THEATER |
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This is considered San José´s most impressive
public building. Built in 1890s, the National Theater is the center of Costa
Rican culture and stands on the south side of the Plaza de la Cultura. Street
3 & 5, Central Avenue & 2. The outside is elegant though not particularly
impressive. Most of the decoration of the is national monument was in hands
of foreign artissans, where italians played the most important roll. The marble
staircases, gilded ceilings, and parquet floors of local hardwoods are worth
seeing. Inside the most interesting interior there are paintings of Costa Rica,
of which the famous is a huge canvas showing coffee harvesting and export. There
are regular performances in the theater and this is the best way to see the
splendid public areas inside of the building. Otherwise, the theater is open
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday; it costs about US $ 3.00 to visit.
There is a pleasant coffee shop to the left of the lobby.
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| CENTRAL
MARKET |
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This market is interesting to visit if you´ve never been
to a Latin American market, although it is a little tame compared to the market
of many other countries. Nevertheless, it is crowded and bustling, has a variety
of produce and other goods ranging from live turkeys to leather work for sale.
Some of the cheapest meals in town are served there. The Central Market is at
Avenida Central & 1, Street 6 & 8. Beware of pickpockets in these areas.
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| NATIONAL
MUSEUM |
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This museum is housed in the Bellavista Fortress, the old army
headquarters. The small museum displays Costa Rican Archaeology, some jade and
gold. You will find the pre-Columbian history of the country in impressive pottery
and artifacts. The museum is on Street 17, Central Avenue & 2. Opening hours
are from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.
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| GOLD
MUSEUM |
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This Museum houses a dazzling collection of pre-Columbian gold
pieces and is well worth seeing. There is also a small numismatic museum and
a display of Costa Rican art. The museum is in the basement of the Plaza de
la Cultura complex on Street 5, Central Avenue & 2, under the tourist information
office. Opened from 10 a.m. to 4.30 pm Tuesday to Saturday. Security is tight:
you must leave your bags at the door.
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| JADE
MUSEUM |
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This is perhaps Costa Rica´s most famous museum. It houses
one of the world´s largest collection of American jade and hundreds of
pieces are on display. Many pieces are mounted with a backlight so that the
exquisite translucent quality of this gemstone can be fully appreciated. There
are also archaelogical exhibits of ceramics, stonework, and gold, arranged by
cultural regions. The 11th-floor vantage point offers a good view of the city.
The museum is on the 11th floor of the National Insurance Institute at 7th Avenue,
Street 9 & 11. It is open from 8 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday.
