The Jade Museum of Costa Rica, or El Museo del Jade Marco Fidel Tristán in Spanish, is home to some 7,000 hand crafted jade pieces from various points in the country’s history.

Museo del Jade Lic. Fidel Tristán is located between avenida 2 and avenida 3 in downtown San Jose, Costa Rica, in a large black monolith of an edifice. The extensive collection of Pre-Columbian artifacts housed by the museum are the main attraction and include items such as statues, mutates (stone tables), early working implements and more. The museum was founded by Fidel Tristán Castro in 1977.

The building which houses the impressive collection of pre-Columbian artwork at the Jade Museum of Costa Rica is brand new. It was first opened to the public as of May 26th, 2014. The building was specifically designed to evoke a connection between the architecture and the shape and texture of Jade itself. The new building occupies some 75,000 square feet, which is ample space to display the entire body of work that the museum curators have.

The jade, pottery and sculptures of various material that are displayed at El Museo del Jade Lic. Fidel Tristán Castro date between 500 BC and 1500 AD. The five floors of exhibit space also contain artwork from more recent Costa Rican artists including a mural by Cesár Valverde Vega. Many of the exhibits at the Jade Museum are interactive and informative.

The Jade Museum of Costa Rica is open from 8:30 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon Monday to Friday. On Saturday, the museum opens from 10 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon, but there are special events such as Noche de Blanco when El Museo del Jade Lic. Fidel Tristán Castro opens its doors late into the night and free to the public. The admission fee for the exhibits and artwork of the Jade Museum is regularly $9 for adults and free to children.

Location: Downtown, San Jose, Costa Rica
Hours: 8:30 am-3:30 pm Mon-Fri 10 am-2 pm Sat
Price: Children=free Adult=$9
Galleries: 7000 Hand Crafted Jade Pieces, Paintings, Pottery, Sculptures