Costa Rica car rental and Precolumbian Gold Museum

The city of San Jose shines a little brighter than many other Costa Rica vacation destinations thanks to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum located in the underground cultural center, the Central Bank of Museums. This unique collection of cultural attractions provides Costa Rica car rental travelers with a handful of unique destinations in one location. The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum is by far the most spectacular of the collection. Home to a superb collection, this one-of-a-kind museum houses gold items that reflect the world view, social structure, and metallurgy of Costa Rica.

A unique cultural institution

The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum is one of the only cultural institutions dedicated to the use of gold in the ancient world. Costa Rica car rental travelers will find more than 1000 original pieces inside the museum, each dating to the period between 300 and 1500. The pieces on display represent the gold working techniques of the period, as well as the use, function and technology behind Pre-Columbian gold working. Costa Rica car rental travelers will discover two distinct levels inside the museum:

An introductory and orientation area
Gold exhibits

The first level of the museum is located on the second floor of the building and includes galleries that showcase the social and cultural evolution of Pre-Columbian cultures. The development stages of metallurgy are explained in this area, as well as the different styles. Costa Rica car rental travelers will find the main exhibitions on the third floor of the museum. An introductory video is also screened on this floor.

Surround yourself with gold

Avanti Costa Rica Car Rental travelers are encouraged to make the most of their visit to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum by participating in one of the institutions unique tour experiences. There are currently three tours to choose from:

Golden Evening: Discover the beauty of the gold pieces at the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum during a night of special sounds and music. This tour is an exclusive experience for large groups and includes a demonstration by indigenous artisans of various arts and crafts, and a guided bilingual tour of the facility. Costa Rica car rental participants will be provided with a gift at the end of the tour, which includes a traditionally knitted bag and a 24 karat gold plated bronze piece. The tour ends with a cocktail or formal dinner.
Golden Family Night Tour: Travelers big and small can enjoy the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum on the Golden Family Night Tour, as bilingual tour guides explain the complexities behind gold working. After touring the museum, families are invited to participate in a creative workshop where they will harness the technique of repousse to decorate pectorals and bracelets using their own design. The tour wraps up with a family dinner, surrounded by wonderful decorations.
Treasures of Nature Tour: This unique experience combines a tour of the forest and INBioparque followed by a tour of the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. Both tours include an in-depth look at Costa Rica's amazing fauna - the first, naturally, the second, represented in gold! This tour includes lunch.

Museum hours and admission

Costa Rica car rental travelers can visit the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum Monday through Sunday from 9:30am to 5pm. International visitors can expect to pay about $7 per person, while international students with identification are admitted for $4. Guided tours of 1 to 15 people are $45 per group. For more information on the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, please call 011-506-2243-4214. Costa Rica car rental travelers will find the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum at Bajos de la Plaza de la Cultura, Avenida Central y 2, Calle 5ta. Travelers can book their visit online at www.govisitcostarica.com.