Construction of the Army General Barracks took place between 1916 and 1930. In 1949, after the abolition of the army, the building was converted into the National Museum. Its fundamental purpose is to promote the study, conservation and display of the country’s flora and fauna. Currently, the museum’s main themes are archeology, national history and natural history. Located on Calle 17 between Avenidas Central and Segunda, the museum is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

I would not rank the National Museum as one of the top museums in Costa Rica. I would prefer to spend time at Inbio Park in Heredia, which focuses on the nature and seven bioms located in Costa Rica, or the Gold Museum located in downtown San Jose. The Costa Rican National Museum still has a lot to offer visitors and would surely satisfy the hungry minds that stop in for a visit.

Multiplaza – Escazu
This used to be the cream of the crop, but it looks a little aged now. It is located next to the Intercontinental, so it makes for a popular choice among people staying there. Holigans in Multiplaza is one of my favorite spots to catch the game in Costa Rica.

Terra Mall – Cartago
In my opinion this is the most beautiful mall in the country with a gorgeous open air concept near the movie theater. On top of being the nicest, it is also home to the best movie theater in the country, with 2 VIP viewing rooms that even serve beer and crepes. The only drawback to this mall is the distance from San Jose, Heredia and Alajuela. You really need a car to get there.

Mall San Pedro – San Pedro
The first Mega mall of Costa Rica. Now it’s just a plain old regular mall, that is home to quite a lot of vacant shops, which makes it a little depressing shopping there. The food court is nice for a bite to eat, and the large event venue is great when there’s a show to catch, but overall, there is no reason to check this mall out, unless you’re in San Pedro.

If you plan of visiting this museum, you will not need to block an entire morning or afternoon. An hour to an hour and a half should be plenty for this visit. They recently refurbished this museum, making the overall atmosphere a pleasant one. Last time I went here the entrance was 500 colones, which is now less than an american dollar. Apart from what is probably the largest display of jade in the world, there are some interesting gold exhibits. Since it is located on the 11th floor, a feat that is rarely made by any building in Costa Rica (5 floors is considered a large building), you also get a rare view of the Central Valley from a fairly high location.

All in all, this is the museum that I find the least interesting when it comes to visiting museums in Costa Rica. I would rather visit the children´s museum or the National Museum of Costa Rican Art.

You´ll spot the occasional tourist in there, by the place is primarily filled by Costa Ricans. Las Delicias del Maiz is popular due to their home-style of cooking that remains faithful to tradition meals in Costa Rica. You´ll see lots of beans, rice, chicken and platanos on the menu. The most common dish, just like in any restaurant in Costa Rica, is the Casado, which in English means married. They use the name Casado because that is exactly what the dish entails, a bunch of different foods that have been wed for one delicious meal. You can find anything on your plate, from rice, chicken, salad, to even a hearty serving of pasta (my least favorite of the bunch due to the overall messiness of the plate.

If you ever walk inside Las Delicias del Maiz in any location in Costa Rica, be prepared to feel a little confused. The restaurant kind of has a free for all atmosphere that leaves you a little lost. Some restaurant require you to go to the window, order all of your food, bring your plate to the cashier, and pay there. What I don´t like very much, is that you will not know the price of your meal until you arrive at the cashier section. You don´t have to worry much, as prices are very cheap here, which is another major draw for Costa Ricas. So if you´re on a roadtrip in Costa Rica and have a big appetite, don´t feel like waiting for your food, and are looking for a good price, Las Delicias del Maiz is the right restaurant for you.

If the second floor is open during your visit, have a look at the conference room’s bas-relief walls, which chronicle the history of Costa Rica from pre-Columbian times to the present with evocative images of its people. Another beautiful element of this charming museum is the outdoor decor. The sculpture gardens found out back are in my opinion the highlight of the entire place. Plan to stay at the Museo de Arte Costarricense for a couple of hours as there is plenty to do and see here. Plan to spend an entire afternoon or morning if you plan on visiting La Sabana Park.

The Museo de Arte Costarricense is not as famous as the Children’s Museum in Costa Rica, but it is still well worth you visit.

Living in Costa Rica has its ups and its downs, but one thing it rarely does for me is actually make me feel like I am living somewhere that is very far and different from home. Other than the odd pot hole here and there, and the change of language, I feel completely at home. All the same stores are here, such as Macdonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Subway, and even Kentucky Fried Chicken (which is great here by the way), which makes me feel more at home. Modern malls are being built everywhere I look in Costa Rica, and the authentic Costa Rican experience is getting harder and harder to find, and this is in the Central Valley, where very few North Americans have infiltrated.

All of this is what makes visiting the local markets in Costa Rica so appealing to me. I get to feel for a brief moment that I really am on a mini adventure living out here in Costa Rica. I am reminded for a brief moment of just how far away from home I am and that makes me feel all warm inside. Not that I hate my home, cause I don’t, but I always wanted to do something different with my life, and it is these small life experiences that I was desperately searching for when I decided to leave Canada for Costa Rica.

If you want to check out some of the better markets in Costa Rica, I suggest checking out the San Jose, Heredia, Cartago and San Pedro markets.

The tour starts in the parking lot where they drive you to the Old Town, and your guide makes a toast to wlecome everyone. When I went they served me what might of been the worst drink I have ever had, so beware.

The majority of the evening is spent in the theater where performances dance and sing all the while teaching you about the history and geography of the culture. They ensure to cover all of the provinces in Costa Rica. My personal favorite was the Limon portion.

Your night concludes over a wonderful traditional meal shared with everyone else who had done the tour. There is a minimum 8px needed for this tour to operate.