MUSEO DEL ORO PRECOLOMBINO

The museum of the pre-Columbian Gold is the most important part of the cultural complex opened since 1975, and restored in 1985. This complex, rather impressive, is dressed of an architecture all concreted. A gigantic staircase leads to the basement and the museum. You can learn about pre-Columbian American history from 2000 BC to 1500 AD, or contemplate a warrior's ornament, the same ones that made Christopher Columbus' companions believe that the gold paradise was not far away since everyone could wear these magnificent ornaments. The explanations are in Spanish and English, and the drawings that accompany the exhibition are eloquent enough. The audio guide is not really necessary. Instead, you can download the Gold Museum Costa Rica app from the Apple Store™ (US$2.99) as a souvenir.

You'll notice a series of gold disks (once sewn directly onto clothing), tiaras, tweezers, fishhooks and various jewelry or everyday accessories, many of which were intended for funeral rites. The creation of this museum was decided in 1950 when the Central Bank of Costa Rica began to assemble a collection of pre-Columbian objects in order to preserve the country's heritage. One of the most beautiful museums in Latin America, although it does not equal its counterpart in Bogotá. In the same complex, there is a small and interesting numismatic museum.