Shuttle and Private Buses Services in Costa Rica

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Within the private transportation and shuttle services that exist in Costa Rica are:

Interbus, San Pedro de Montes de Oca. Phone: +506 4100-0888. Website: www.interbusonline.com . It covers the entire national territory and has 8 passengers’ buses. Prices vary by distance. It covers the entire national territory.

Gray Line, The Uruca. Phone: +506 2220-2126. Website: www.graylinecostarica.com. It covers the entire national territory. With 1 day tours or several days tours.

Costa Rica Shuttle, San Rafael de Escazú. Phone: +506 2289-9509. Website: www.costaricashuttle.com. It covers the entire national territory and has up to 30 passenger buses. Prices vary by distance.

Costa Rica Trip Guide, Heredia. Phone: +506 2238 6227. Website: www.transportationincostarica.com. It covers the entire national territory. Works with reservation, pick up passengers and take them to their destination. Prices vary depending on the distance.

Transport Costa Rica Monteverde, Monteverde. Phone: +506 2645-6768 / +506 2290-7307. Website: www.transportcostarica.net . It covers the entire national territory. Prices vary depending on the distance.

Other bus services:

To learn about the national bus service in Costa Rica click here.
To learn about the international bus service is in Costa Rica click here.

The Agriculture Role in the Costa Rican Economy

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The agriculture is traditionally and historically the most important line of the Costa Rican economy, in fact, is the main economic source of the country. Large coffee crop in the last century, have been responsible for the Costa Rican development. Sugar cane, coffee and banana were the other mainstays of the national economy. After this another crops has being taking power, such as the cultivation of grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits and tobacco, which have given autonomy to the nation. Cocoa, pineapple and cotton have also had a relative development, the first in the Atlantic coast and the other in the plains of northwest and northeast, in the provinces of Guanacaste and Alajuela.

Lately it has come to step up, now on an industrial scale, the flowers cultivation, especially for export, and do experiments spices and fruits such as apples and grapes, shielded from a fertile land and mild climate. In some parts of the country continues operating, mostly handmade, vegetable fibers for a small market before the advent of synthetic fibers produced in the country or from outside origin. The export of raw materials in Costa Rica, as well as its self, is what sustains the base of its economy.

Costa Rica’s Bribrí Indigenous Community

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Costa Rica’s Bribrí Indigenous Community has lived in harmony with nature for thousands of years, living in the Huetar Atlantic Region, in the territories of Talamanca and Kekoldi – Cocles, in the Talamanca canton, Limón province, and the Brunca region in Cabagra and Salitre Territories, in Buenos Aires canton, Puntarenas province. At present some 10,000 individuals Bribrís are settled in that territory, being in the Talamanca Bribrí Territory inhabited by the indigenous majority around 6467.

In general, the Bribrís have retained their native language, both orally and in writing. The most important activity is agriculture, especially cocoa and bananas, but also has corn, beans and tubers. As a result of this agricultural society, the community has developed a barter system practiced primarily by women of the tribe. They are also dedicated to raising pigs, hunting birds and fishing. Its most important handicrafts are basketry and musical instruments manufacture, which use a variety of natural elements. Also in the production of various crafts with natural materials like “jícara”, “cabuya”, “pita”, and other natural dyes, are various traditional techniques, designs and shapes that reflect their cultural background and living in harmony with nature.

Because of its isolated situation, in relation to major civilization centers, some Bribrís have opted to take identity cards both Panamanian and Costa Rican, making it easier to obtain medical help in an emergency in both countries. An interesting element of this ethnic group is that their houses (usually on wooden stilts and roofed with leaves) stand far apart from each other, that because the Bribrís appreciate their independence. It is not uncommon that a Bribrí home is an hour’s from the nearest next house.

Because they are virtually the only Indian society in Costa Rica that retains its own identity, but fully integrated to nationality in all its aspects, has attracted special interest by the state, particularly in the areas of health, education and protection to indigenous values. In fact, in theirs region are heard a cultural radio station that broadcasts programs in the Bribrí language and also circulating a newspaper written entirely in their language. The Bribrí folk manifestations are interestingly during the celebrations within their cultural-religious context, preserved by them for centuries. The Bribrís practices an animist religion based on an indigenous shamanism, being one of the oldest religions still practiced in Costa Rica. Their beliefs are based on the cult of Sibú and the Bribrí society structuring in clan.

The University of Costa Rica, through its cultural and linguistic organizations, is concerned for preparing a grammar and spelling text in Bribrí language, which has been an invaluable aid in the preparation of the staff that works with indigenous people. Bribrí language is a tonal language spoken by the Bribrí community belonging to the “chibchense“ linguistic family, that why is related to other local languages such as the Teribe, the Cabécar, the Boruca, the Guaymí and the Maleku. Like many other American languages, the number of Bribrí speakers is clearly declining. According to the national census conducted in 2000, only 60% of the Bribrí population is native speakers of the language, it is estimated that the total number of Bribrís speakers is about 6.000 individuals.

The Bribrí was always an oral language and which did not have writing itself until the U.S. linguist based in Costa Rica, Jack Wilson, began a systematic adaptation of the Latin alphabet (as used to represent the signs of the Costa Rican Spanish) aims to represent primary teaching and research the Bribrí sounds, using authors date back to the late nineteenth century. The Wilson task was completed by the also linguist Adolfo Constenla. The signs of the alphabet plotted to phonemes or part of a phoneme. In Bribrí, as in most languages, phonemes are usually carried out in three different ways together: vowels, consonants and semi-consonants. The symbols used to express graphically the vowels are: a, e, e, i, o, o, u, a, e, i, o, u. Those which are used to express the consonants are: b, ch, d, j, k, l, m, n, n, n, p, r, s, t and the ones used to express the semi-consonants are: w and i. Due to the chosen system for the graphical representation, some symbols can represent different sounds. At the time that this post was writing, the Bribrí is the only Costa Rican indigenous language which is taught at public universities in the country.

Art and Museums in Costa Rica

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Museums offer more than samples of art, history and science to every place, because those visitors may also participate in workshops, concerts and plays. Costa Rica has a rich history that is well represented in its museums with objects and findings since the pre-Columbian times with their customs, traditions and handicrafts, made in gold, jade and stone, until the conquests time, the colonial time and even the present time. Most are located in the Central Valley, but are equally throughout the country.

Museums seek to encourage people to have greater participation in the arts and historic preservation of the country, so that makes museums in Costa Rica, responsible for the stewardship and conservation of artistic, cultural and historical heritage of Costa Rica. On May 18th is celebrated throughout the world the International Museum Day, which requires time to turn its gaze to the current situation of these institutions in our country. Museums of Costa Rica that are running at the time by province are as follows:

Museums in San José:

The National Museum of Costa Rica, Central and 2nd Avenue, 17th St., San José. Phone: 2257-1433
Central Bank Museums:
* The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Central and 2nd Avenue, 5th St., San José. Phone: 2243-4202
* The Philatelic Numismatic Museum, 1st and 3rd Avenue, 2nd St., San José. Phone: 2223-6918,
The Jade Museum,  7th and 9th Avenue, 9th and 11th St., San José. Phone: 2287-6034
The Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia Historical Museum, 11th Avenue, 25th and 27th St., in Barrio Escalante, San José. Phone: 2221-1239
The Liceo of Costa Rica Museum, 18th and 20th Avenue, 7th and 11th St., San José. Phone: 2233-6784
The Sala Magón Museum, 3rd Avenue, 11th and 15th St., in CENAC, San José. Phone: 2221-2022
Shapes, Spaces and Sounds Museum, 3rd Avenue, 21st St., San José. Phone: 2256-1281
The Children’s Museum, 9th Avenue, 4th St., San José. Phone: 2258-4929
The Contemporary Art and Design Museum, 3rd and 7th Avenue, 13th St., in CENAC, San José. Phone: 2257-9370
The Costa Rican Art Museum, at La Sabana Park. Phone: 2222-7155
La Salle Natural Sciences Museum, Southwest Sabana. Phone: 2232-5179
The ICE Group Technological History Museum, 400 meters north from ICE, La Sabana. Phone: 2220-7656
Insect Museum of the University of Costa Rica, San Pedro. Phone: 2207-5318
The Costa Rica Jewish Community Museum, next to AyA in Pavas. Phone: 2520-1013
The Costa Rican Regional Art Museum, South side of the Ricardo Saprissa Stadium, Tibás. Phone: 2240-9044
The Joaquín García Monge Regional Museum of Desamparados, Northwest to the Desamparados Park. Phone: 2259-9705
The Santa Ana Agricultural Historical Museum, Rio Oro of Santa Ana. Phone: 2282-8434

Museums in Cartago:

The Kurietí Indian Natural History Museum, 150 meters south of the Tobosi del Guarco Municipality in Cartago. Phone: 2573-7113
The Elías Leiva Quirós of the San Luis Gonzaga High School Historical Ethnographic Museum, North side of the San Luis Gonzaga High School. Phone: 2551-0895
The Omar Salazar Museum of Turrialba University of Costa Rica, in Turrialba. Phone: 2558-3717
The Volcanological Museum of Costa Rica, 5 km before the entrance to the Irazú Volcano .Phone: 2530-8013
Our Ujarrás Lady Historical Religious Museum, northeast side of Paraíso of Cartago Church. Phone: 2574-7258
The San José of Orosi Religious Art Museum, South side of the Orosi Church. Phone: 2533-3852

Museums in Alajuela:

The Juan Santamaría Historical Cultural Museum, 1st Avenue, Central and 2nd St., Alajuela. Phone: 2441-6926
The San Ramón Museum or José Figueres Ferrer Historic Cultural Center, North side of the San Ramón Church. Phone: 2447-2178
The Atenas Railroad Museum, Former Railway Station of Atenas.. Phone: 2446-0091

Museums in Heredia:

The Popular Culture Museum from National University, in Santa Lucia in Barva. Phone: 2277-3857
INBioparque of Costa Rica, 2.5 km east of the Valencia road to Heredia. Phone: 2507-8107

Museums in Guanacaste:

The Abangares Mine Ecomuseum Costa Rica, La Sierra of Abangares. Phone: 2662-0033
The Santa Rosa’s Casona Historical Museum, Santa Rosa National Park. Phone: 2666-5051
The Punta Islita Contemporary Art Outdoor Museum, Bejuco Islita in Nandayure. Phone: 2661-4044
The San Blas of Nicoya Religious Art Museum, next to the San Blas Park. Phone: 2685-5109
The Chorotega Ceramic Ecomuseum of San Vicente of Nicoya, 20 km northeast of Nicoya. Phone: 2681-1563
The Agony Lord Religious Art Museum, Agony Lord Chapel, 550 meters east of the Governorate of Liberia. Phone: 2666-0107
The Sabanero Regional Museum, 300 meters south and 100 meters west of the Governorate of Liberia Phone: 2665-0135

Museums in Puntarenas:

Marine Historic Museum of the Puntarenas City, at the Old Plaza Command building in Center Puntarenas. Phone: 2661-0633
Boruca’s Indian Community Museum, Boruca’s Indian Territory in Buenos Aires. Phone: 2721-2533
Terraba’s Indian Community Museum, Terraba’s Community in Potrero Grande in Buenos Aires. Phone: 2771-0511

Museums in Limón:

Turtle Museum, John H. Biological Station Pipps in Tortuguero. Phone: 2709-8091
Regional Museum of the Province of Limón, Posts and Telegraphs Building in Limón. Phone: 2255-3051

Costa Rica’s National Museum

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Costa Rica’s National Museum (Museo Nacional) was founded on May 4th, 1887, at the time the President was Don Bernardo Soto and the Minister of Public Works Don Cleto González Víquez. This museum emerged in Costa Rica at a moment in which liberal ideas and principles of peace, progress and education material, characterized the society of 1880, where the laws related to education and the creation of cultural institutions prompted the birth of the museum. As an institution the museum belonged to the Development Ministry, to the University of Costa Rica and then again to the Education Ministry so that finally in the 1970s, became part of the Ministry of Culture and Youth.

The National Museum has occupied four different locations throughout its history. Three of these premises were demolished. Currently the museum is located next to the Plaza de la Democracia (Democracy Square) at the building of the Former Bellavista Barracks. This place is the product of a series of transformations of the house that built the German naturalist Alexander Von Frantzius in 1870 and in 1876 purchased the Costa Rican educator Don Mauro Fernández. The property was vacant from 1910 to 1914. In 1914 the government of Alfredo González Flores purchased it for the purpose of using it as barracks. In 1948 it stopped to serve as barracks, this is when the army was abolished as a permanent institution, and it became an education and cultural center, hosting since then The National Museum.

The National Museum is a cultural center for excellence. It’s walls protect the unalterable of the history of Costa Ricans, it not only teaches about the history of the nation, but also presents exhibitions of pre-Columbian art (pottery, stone, gold) and has a room with art from the colonial period, furniture and displays of natural history. Since its inception, the Museum promotes research projects in the areas of natural history, anthropology and Costa Rica’s history.

Address: on 17th street, between central and 2nd Avenues, in the Former Bellavista Barracks, district: Catedral, cantón: San José, province: San José, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 10104.
GPS Coordinates: 9.932725,-84.071 (9°55’57.81″N, 84°04’15.60″W)
Schedule: from Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website: www.museocostarica.go.cr
Phone: +506 2257-1433

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Pre-Columbian Gold Museum Costa Rica

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Pre-Columbian Gold Museum Costa Rica (Museo del Oro Precolombino) is part of the Museums of the Costa Rican Central Bank and is located beneath the Plaza de la Cultura (Culture Square) in San José. The museum houses an extraordinary collection of gold objects with over 1000 pre-Columbian artifacts that reflect the worldview, social structure, and jewelery from pre-Columbian people that lived in the actual Costa Rican territory.

The museum shows the use and function of parts, technology and the relationship with nature and everyday life of these human groups. The collection consists of over 1600 pre-Columbian gold pieces dating from the 500 to 1500 AD. The Gold Museum consists of two levels: introductory area on the second floor, which interprets the evolution of socio-cultural pre-Columbian cultures, which also exhibits the development of metallurgy in Costa Rica, stages and styles; and on the third floor the gold pieces exhibition area, where you can appreciate the different uses and meanings of gold objects. Visitors can also watch an introductory video to the collection.

Location: on 5th St., between central and 2nd avenues, adjacent to the Plaza de la Cultura, district: Catedral, canton: San José, province: San José, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 10104.
GPS Coordinates: 9.933397,-84.076569 (9°56’00.23″N, 84°04’35.65″W)
Schedule: from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Website: www.museodelbancocentral.org
Phone: + (506) 2243-4202

Address map: Click here to view directions from Central Park, San Jose, Costa Rica TO the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum in San Jose, Costa Rica at Google Maps

The Philatelic Numismatic Museum Costa Rica

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The Philatelic Numismatic Museum Costa Rica (Museo Filatélico Numismático) was opened in 1990 under the name of Jaime Solera Bennett, who was noted for his work in businesses and as the President of the Central Bank of Costa Rica. The interest in numismatics of Solera Bennett led him to the development of the collections of the Central Bank and, personally, to form one of the best collections of bills in Costa Rica, which was donated by his family to this museum in 1997. The museum belongs to one of the museums of the Central Bank, which maintains a large collection of stamps, the history of the telegraph and mail, among other things. The museum is located on the second floor of the Costa Rica’s Post Office central Building in San José.

The currency history in Costa Rica, from the “Real” to the “Colón”, is the new permanent exhibit at the Jaime Solera Bennett Numismatics Museum. This exhibit shows the evolution of the various means of exchange since 1502 until today, in a very dynamic way. The tour explains about money and its use, and portrays a very interesting history of the country’s currency as the use of barter, the use of metallic coins which had its beginnings in the colonial period, the use of foreign coins and coffee and banana tickets, the issue of banknotes of different banks until the Central Bank consolidation, the symbolism shown in coins and bills, among other interesting topics. The most beautiful and valuable coins, bills, dies and coffee and bananas tickets from the Central Bank’s collection are displayed in this exhibition.

The Museum also offers an interactive area for promoting the collection of bills and coins and a video called “Paper and Silver Passions”. The numismatic collection began in the 1950s and has about 5000 objects. The first numismatic exhibition took place at the Costa Rica Central Bank in 1971, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Independence of Costa Rica.

Address: in Costa Rica’s Post Office main building, on 5th street, between 1st and 3rd avenues, district: Merced, canton: San José, province: San José, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 10102.
GPS Coordinates: 9.934947,-84.079842 (9°56’5.81″N, 84°04’47.43″W)
Schedule: opened everyday from 9:15am to 5pm.
Website: www.museodelbancocentral.org
 Phone: + (506) 2243-4202

Address map: Click here to view directions from Central Park, San Jose, Costa Rica TO the Philatelic Numismatic Museum in San Jose, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Jade Museum Costa Rica

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Schedule: from Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Phone: +506 2287-6034
Address: on 7th avenue, between 9th and 11th streets, at the INS building, district: Carmen, canton: San José, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 10101.

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On October 30th, 1924, the Congress of the Republic of Costa Rica adopted the Law No. 12 which created a monopoly on insurance in favor of the State, giving it the name of Insurance National Bank, and 24 years later, changed its name to the National Insurance Institute (INS in Spanish). This institution aims to provide protection and service to the people of Costa Rica.

In the seventies, the National Insurance Institute faced the situation of relentless stealing and commercialization of archaeological objects, both inside and outside the national territory, so the museum acquired artifacts from collectors by purchase and in a few cases, by donation. By then, the INS had made up its objects collection from pre-Columbian times to approximately 7000 pieces of various materials such as jade, ceramics, stone, gold, shell, wood, resin, bone and others. For these acquisitions and for historical reasons the aesthetic prevailed in contrast to the daily. On October 31st, 1977, the INS opened the Museum under the name “Archaeological Collection of the National Insurance Institute”, and then in 1980 with the agreement of the XI Session of 6556 of the current Directorate, it was renamed to Jade Museum (Museo del Jade).

Following the failure to restructure a lost cause due to the non-scientific excavation methods, the Jade Museum was given the task of promoting research projects, in order to learn the context, if possible, through the association of scientifically excavated objects. These investigations have worked in fields such as: anthropological, archaeological, geologist, artist and ethno-musical.

Jade Museum Costa Rica with over twenty years of operation has enabled thousands of nationals and foreign visitors to visit their exhibition halls, having the opportunity to admire one of the richest institutional collection of America. The variety of its objects, consisting of four collections, archeology, art, ethnography, numismatics; reflects one of the INS objectives, to generate a social contribution, through registration, documentation and exhibition of expositions.

For more than quarter of a century, the cultural heritage that the museum guards, has served as an ambassador to Costa Rica, by being part of international exhibitions displayed in different cities in America, Europe and Asia. The high quality of the art collection is reflected for instance in the significant number of works by renowned Costa Rican artists, representing various periods of the national plastic production, which on many occasions have been given on loan for exhibition and research.

The Jade Museum throughout these years has facilitated its showrooms, both to publicize the product of national and international artists as for exhibitions related to a wide range of subjects like history, science, technology and other topics related to human activity. Today it’s the only existing museum of pre-Columbian jade and the largest collection of this type in exhibition, since this archaeological museum shows not only jade objects but valuable pieces carved in stone and ceramics of high artistic quality. The museum is located on the first floor of the National Insurance Institute of Costa Rica.

The Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia Historical Museum Costa Rica

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Schedule: from Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 Phone: +506 2221-1239 / +506 2255-1218
Address: on 11th avenue, 25th and 27th streets, Barrio Escalante, district: Carmen, canton: San José, province: San José, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 10101.

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GPS Coordinates: 9.936856,-84.065711 (9°56’12.68″N, 84°03’56.56″W)

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The Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia Historical Museum Costa Rica (Museo Histórico del Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia) opened its doors in March 1994 although the establishing decree dates from 1991. The museum owes its name to the president of the Republic (1940-1944), Meritorious Fatherland and great social reformer of Costa Rica, who was inspired by the social doctrine of the Catholic Church in Belgium, which was his guide to take a political and ideological position in favor of the most disadvantaged groups of society. He got involved in political life in 1930 with great support from popular groups.

His government pushed forward the great social reform of Costa Rica which included the creation of the University of Costa Rica (1940), the “Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social” or Costa Rican Social Insurance (1941), the inclusion of the Social Guarantees in the Constitution (1943) and the enactment of the first Labor Code (1943). His visionary work helped the Government to lay the foundations for peace and social justice, values that are the pride of Costa Rica today.

The building houses the Manuel de la Cruz González gallery as part of the Museum and will take place in various art exhibitions by painters, sculptors and artisans. The house where it’s located is an old French adobe building of 800 square meters, built in 1912 using a neoclassical architectural interpretation. It is the old Catlderón family mansion, a historic building, it presents the life of President Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia. Located in Barrio Escalante, 100 meters east and 150 meters north of the Santa Teresita Church in San José.

In 1979 it was declared a national heritage and was recently recognized by the Cultural Heritage Research and Conservation center, from the MCJD as one of the best preserved buildings. It also worked for several years as host of the Anastacio Alfaro High School, the ITCO and the Youth Symphony Orchestra. The Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Historical Museum has documentation of the 1948 war, student library, exhibitions, films, theater and dance in the auditorium, with a large parking lot for 30 vehicles and security.

The ICE Group Technological History Museum Costa Rica

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The ICE Group Technological History Museum Costa Rica (Museo Histórico Tecnológico del Grupo ICE) was born on March 1st, 1993 with the mission to rescue and display the historical richness of the ICE Group, comprised by the National Power and Light Company (CNFL in Spanish), the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE in Spanish) and the Costa Rican Radiographic S.A. (RACSA in Spanish). Since then, the museum’s objectives are aimed to investigating, educating and communicating to the people everything about the development of services such as electricity and telecommunications in Costa Rica.

With each one of the services, it seeks to effectively meet the information needs of all those who are interested in learning about the history and projects of the ICE Group. Currently, the museum is part of the Marketing and Institutional Communication direction, with an exhibition of art, documents, photos and history of electricity and telecommunications in Costa Rica.

Address: 400 meters north from ICE in La Sabana, Luisa street, district: Mata Redonda, canton: San José, province: San José, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 10108.
GPS Coordinates: 9.942367,-84.101858 (9°56’32.52″N, 84°06’06.69″W)
Schedule: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: +506 2220-7656

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