Alajuela

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National Museum of Costa Rica
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

National Museum of Costa Rica

6.1
5.0/5
6 reviews
National Museum of Costa Rica is located in the heart of San Jose, next to Plaza de la Democracia. The yellow fortress-like building is a piece of history in itself: the outer walls still bear bullet marks from the 1948 civil war. On December 1 of that same year, José Figueres Ferrer famously swung a sledgehammer against the western wall of the barracks to announce the abolition of the army. Later, the barracks were officially converted into a museum, transforming from a military fortress into a cultural space. The visit begins at the butterfly garden near the entrance. The central courtyard displays several Diquis stone spheres; these perfectly round prehistoric stone spheres are highly recognizable artifacts of Costa Rica, and their discovery sites were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2014. The museum's exhibitions follow a chronological timeline: the Pre-Columbian hall uses hundreds of artifacts, such as pottery, jade carvings, and grinding stones, to tell the story of the life and beliefs of the inhabitants before the arrival of the Spanish; the Gold Hall displays animal-shaped gold ornaments and miniature shaman figures; the Colonial and Republican History halls use old photographs and artifacts to show how coffee, bananas, and the railway changed the country; in the exhibition area converted from old prison cells, graffiti carved by prisoners in the 1930s and 1940s still remains on the walls. After viewing the exhibitions, you might want to head to the second-floor terrace and the central courtyard to overlook downtown San Jose.San Jose · 18.1km from Alajuela

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Featured Day tours in Alajuela

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1-day tour in Costa Rica - Poas volcano + Doka coffee estate + La Paz waterfall
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Featured Water activities in Alajuela

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Full-day 1-day tour to Tortuga Island from San Jose, Costa Rica
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Manuel Antonio: Surfing Lesson with a Private Instructor
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5.0/5
· 1 review
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· 1 review
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Tortuguero Clasicos - 2 Tours: Canoe and day hike
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Featured Outdoor & sports in Alajuela

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San Jose: Zipline La Carpintera Tour
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Whitewater Rafting Savegre Class II-III plus Waterfall Manuel Antonio
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7-Cable Zipline Adventure: Fly Over La Fortuna Waterfall
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Rafting Pacuare River One Day from Turrialba
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Featured City sightseeing in Alajuela

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Punta Arenas Audio Tour: City Wonders
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San Jose: Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets
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San Jose City Tour and central Market with local food
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San José: Guided Historical & Cultural Walking Tour
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· 1 review
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Guided Walking Street Art & Graffiti Tour in Jaco Costa Rica
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· 26 reviews
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San José Highlights Audio Tour: Cultural Treasures and Historical Landmarks
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Between Wheels and Flavors of San Jose
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What travellers say about Alajuela

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099***5014 August 2022
5.0
The overall environment is good, the facilities are complete, and it also meets the epidemic prevention standards. It's good

National Museum of Costa Rica

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YoYo_1I8Q7O5O1 December 2025
5.0
Stepping into the marble hall of the Costa Rica National Theatre, I was immediately struck by the mural "A Harvest of Coffee and Bananas" on the ceiling—the smiles of the peasant women carrying fruit baskets on their heads made even the gilded crystal chandeliers seem humble. I discreetly touched the cracks in the red velvet seats; the pine frame from 1877 had been deliberately preserved during the renovation. During intermission, I slipped onto the terrace to watch a street performer dance reggae under the theatre's archway, his radio static clashing with the Mozart melodies drifting from inside the hall, echoing between the colonial-era columns. Most unforgettable was discovering a secret hidden in the orchestra pit floor: the conductor had each musician carve their initials, and a century later, those letters remained clear under the lights, like lingering echoes yet to be played.

National Theater of Costa Rica

Frequently asked questions

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include 1-day tour to Poas volcano + coffee farm + waterfall from San Jose, Costa Rica from 1 person, 1-day tour to Poas volcano coffee farm and La Paz waterfall gardens from San Jose, Costa Rica, and Costa Rica San Jose Poas volcano coffee plantation and La Paz waterfall 1-day tour. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 4 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Alajuela is around GBP 22.94 – GBP 232.14. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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