COSTA RICAN CULTURE AND ARTS

While we like to think that Costa Rica's history began when it was "discovered" by Christopher Columbus, people had already settled or traveled through it on the way to South America, perhaps more than 10,000 years ago.

The land they found may have been different than what we see today, for there were mastodons, mammoths, giant sloths, and other now-extinct animals when the first peoples arrived.

The archaeological record for these early years is pretty sparse.

A single fluted spear from that era was discovered along Costa Rica's Pacific coast in 1880 and several clovis spear points (of the type named after an ancient site in Arizona containing clovis spear points found in the bones of mammoths).

But, the significant Costa Rica cultural record of ancient beings begins between about 1,000-500 b.c.

Guyabo National Monument

Whether you're interested in history or Costa Rica culture before there was Costa Rica, we recommend a day-trip to Guyabo National Monument.

Costa Rica Teatro Nacional

Now a National Monument, a favorite of day visitors and theatre-lovers at night, it's the Costa Rica Teatro Nacional.

Costa Rica Theatre Listing

Go here for Costa Rica Theatre Listings.

Costa Rica Museums

While in San Jose, go back in time on your Costa Rica vacation from the earliest migratory hunters to the coming of the Spaniards---and onto today---at one of the lovely and diverse Costa Rica museums.

Boruca Masks

In the southern part of the country live an indigenous tribe, the Boruca, who make wonderful, beautifully crafted wooden masks and woven products.

The masks are more than just a tourist attraction, though. Rooted in colonial days when the Spanish conquered and subjugated Costa Rica natives, the masks are an important symbol of the victory over the Conquistadores by the people of Boruca.

Costa Rica Artisans Market

San Jose offers a decades old, highly popular, market with authentic hand-carved or hand-made Costa Rica goods. Housing more than 60 artisans and craftsmen, you'll find the country's largest collection, and often best prices, of souvenirs, crafts, and arts at the San Jose Artisans Market.

Go from Costa Rican Culture and Arts to Costa Rica Vacations