Pre-Columbian Gold Museum [1]: The highlight of the Museos Banco Central de Costa Rica, this splendid collection of pre-Columbian gold and jade displays a cornucopia of indigenous ornaments and artifacts. Also here is an excellent numismatic museum.
National Theater [2]: San José’s architectural pride and joy gleams after a recent restoration. View by day, then don your duds for a evening classical performance in season.
Fidel Tristán Jade Museum [3]: The world’s largest collection of pre-Columbian jade ornamentation is exhibited in creative displays in a new facility.
Parque Nacional [4]: A breath of fresh air in the crowded city, this leafy park is the setting for the Monumento Nacional.
Mercado Central [5]: Tuck your wallet safely away to explore this tight-packed warren of stalls and stores selling everything from pig’s heads to saddles. This is a great place to eat for pennies in true Tico fashion.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/costa-rica/san-jose/sights/plaza-de-la-cultura/pre-columbian-gold-museum
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/costa-rica/san-jose/sights/plaza-de-la-cultura/national-theater
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/costa-rica/san-jose/sights/parques-espana-and-morazan/fidel-tristan-jade-museum
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/costa-rica/san-jose/sights/parque-nacional
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/costa-rica/san-jose/sights/west-central-downtown/mercado-central