哥斯达黎加美术馆

2275Waves

The bas-relief wall panels on the second floor, rescued from the old airport's executive lounge, are stunning. They appear to be wood or bronze but in reality are stucco/cement.The main floor features many nooks and crannies housing contemporary art installations and older paintings with explanations in both ingles y espanol. All are high quality.Had to laugh (or cry) at an exhibit labelled "Antiques" that included toys and magazines from my 1950s childhood..... Ouch....Outdoor sculpture garden is beautifully arranged, taking advantage of the day's changing light.Best of all, my Sunday afternoon visit was Free!Well done, Costa Rica. Puros dieces, mae!

Buffshot

In my view some reviewers have allowed their enthusiasm to run away a little in describing the contents of this little museum, but it is well worth a visit for the building alone, and there are a few nice pieces. The old VIP lounge is remarkable. I was struck by the lack of pre-Colombian influence in all but a handful of the sculptures. Probably a good deal less contemporary rubbish than in Tate Modern, but equally, less outstanding talent! Very easily accessible from Grano de Oro hotel or Park hotel

saltshaker

I'm not much of an art museum person, but I loved this place. It's well designed, the exhibits are small and succinct, each one offering up a few works from a (mostly) contemporary Costa Rican artist (two of whom were actually on site, there to talk about their works with visitors), and, it's free.

FredGos

We got to the museum just before closing and took a quick run through. There are some very nice pieces but also many we didn't like, but then everyone has a very personal taste in art.

ZsuzsannaC

There's nothing not to love about this museum. The environment in it, the calm, the way history flows into art is simply beautiful.

Exorsyst

I stumbled upon this recently-renovated old airport building which contains a number of different displays by Costa Rican artists along a brief history. It`s ver well done and in a great setting (La Sabana park). A must see and great for kids.

kuepper

More impressive than many places you'll pay into. Highlight was upstairs former diplomatic /vip waiting room with walls depicting the history of costa Rica. Outside sculptures too. Pity they didn't have a shop or cafe.

DannyR189

We were staying in a hotel about 30 blocks away. We were looking on a map and saw a large park that we wanted to walk to. To our surprise there was this wonderful, free, museum to explore. It showcases a diverse array of art. I'm not an artsy person, but it offered a nice escape from our journey.

Carlos1977

This museum at Sabana Park Norte was the old (1939/40) international airport terminal. It has a great time frame history of modern art and the significant Costa Rican artists of the 20th century, Admission is free and shows how unused buildings can be transformed into something wonderful

U7544HDpaulb

We went here with our class to enjoy a lot of the local art. We were not disappointed, it was all well put together.

ed4_vida_rica

No admission charged here!!!! And the bonus, this is a WONDERFUL museum. The exhibits offer a representation of all stages and periods of Costa Rican art and artists. The building was originally the terminal building for Costa Rica's international airport that was where La Sabana Park is now. The building is gorgeous! One large conference room upstairs has breathtakingly decorated plaster that pictographically offers the history and development of the country from pre-Columbian to the 1930's. The room is a national treasure.

488russells

This museum is right on the edge of San Jose near the large greenspace and easily accessible. The sculptures in the back courtyard are wonderful! The rest of the collection changes regularly. We got in for free, so it was a nice excursion on our day to the park. But definitely not worth a special trip...

692ericg

Located in La Sabana Park at Paseo Colon and Calle 42, this small art museum contains permanent and temporary exhibits and a sculpture garden outside in the rear. Building was originally the terminal and control tower of the international airport in San Jose. The Gold Room on the top floor covers the entire walls of the airport’s original official VIP reception room. A stucco bas-relief coated with bronze depicts the history of Costa Rica from pre-Colombian times through the early 1940s including landing of Christopher Columbus in 1502, colonization by Spanish, conversion of native people by priests, role of agriculture and industry and representations of the National Theatre. The history ends with a depiction of the terminal building and control tower. Outside the Gold Room is an exquisite gold throat covering necklace depicting the entire bas-relief, created by the bas-relief artist, with its original case. The best place to visit in all of San Jose if you only have one hour to spend and there is no charge to enter.

lonanp

This is a small enough art museum housed in a beautiful building which was the city's former airport. It's possible to see everything in around an hour and there is free entry. There is some really interesting and unusual art by Costa Rican artists.The sculptures outside are really impressive, especially the large white marble arched structure. It's really amazing when you are up close. The former diplomat's lounge on the second floor is also amazing. I would highly recommend taking the time to check out this little museum.

EWB-in-MB

This former airport had a rather small museum but be sure not to miss the fabulous mural that goes around the entire room upstairs. It starts with native peoples and progresses through the arrival of Europeans, the development of education and technology, up to the era of the airplane. It was terrific!