Travel to Central America

Centro Nacional de Arte y Cultura

The center offers exhibitions of important artists from Costa Rica and abroad. Additionally, it serves as an experimental theater, and it often hosts art workshops. Those with a particular interest in modern art should visit, as you are bound to learn about the soul of Costa Rica here. The theater is recommended only to those who are fluent in Spanish. Because of its central location, you could visit here as part of a cultural day out. Admission prices vary by the production.

Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves

The location of this one of a kind site in Central America, where Quaternary glaciers have left their mark, has allowed the fauna and flora of North and South America to interbreed. Tropical rainforests cover most of the area. Four different Indian tribes inhabit this property, which benefits from close co-operation between Costa Rica and Panama.

Area de Conservación Guanacaste

Site inscribed in 1999The 127,000-ha Area de Conservación Guanacaste, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999, contains important natural habitats for the conservation of biological diversity, including the best dry forest habitats from Central America to northern Mexico and key habitats for endangered or rare plant and animal species. The site demonstrates significant ecological processes in both its terrestrial and marine-coastal environments

Parque Central - Heredia

Located in the San Jose suburb of Heredia, this park serves as a meeting place for many local people. The park is also home to a church, Iglesia de la Concepción, and gardens, including the Jardines de la Inmaculada. Visitors can also view the large fountain, gazebo, and an assortment of monuments. This is a good place to begin your tour of Heredia or to take a break on a bench and watch everyone come and go.

Juan Santamaria Historical Museum

This is a museum founded in 1974 to honor Costa Rica's national hero, Juan Santamaria, who lost his life defending Costa Rica against William Walker when the American invaded Costa Rica with an army of "Filibusteros" in 1856 in hopes of setting up the country as a slave state. If you want to learn more about this part of Costa Rica's history, this museum is the place to visit. See weapons and read battle stories. Admission is free.

Zoo Ave

This is a zoo where you can see a variety of local animals including deer, monkeys, iguanas, scarlet macaws, owls and other birds. The zoo is also home to a 12-foot crocodile. All of the animals that reside in the zoo were either donated to the zoo or were injured then nursed back to health. The animals now live comfortably in their new habitat, and visitors are able to view some of Costa Rica's native wildlife up close in a safe environment.

Aventuras Naturales

If you are a sporting kind of person, you probably enjoy rafting. In Costa Rica, the sheer numbers of rivers and canals offer exciting opportunities to experience this sport. Aventuras Naturales can arrange trips for you to various parts of the country at a reasonable cost. Some destinations, such as Tortuguero, are difficult to get to without help, so even if you are independent minded you can consider looking into a tour. They also provide information on any vaccinations that you might need while travelling.

Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo

This museum contains contemporary national and international art pieces, with emphasis in experimental works and new techniques. It offers temporary exhibits, installations and industrial designs from all over the world, especially some of the young emerging artists. The museum is located within the complex that houses the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports offices, as well as a couple of theaters and other cultural facilities.

Sarchí Village

Known as the most important crafts center in Costa Rica, this site welcomes locals as well as foreigners, who come to browse and buy. The local specialty is the painted ox cart, which can be used to decorate your house or garden. There are also wooden items of every other kind here, and you can visit the workshops to see how the products are made. There are also various small restaurants in the area, which are good for drinking coffee or enjoying a light meal.

Serpentario Nacional

In this snake museum you can observe a large number of Costa Rican snake species, as well as iguanas, frogs, lizards, caimans and turtles. All of these reptiles live in a specially built environment meant to guarantee their safety. Beside every cage there is a chart with the following basic information. You can also learn about each snake's uniqueness and  how to differentiate between snake species