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Costa Rica's Jade Museum is home to an abundance of centuries-old artifacts as well as the world's largest collection of Pre-Columbian jade. For 25 years the museum was located on the 11th floor of the National Insurance Institute and only recently made the move to the building's first floor.
 It is now housed in five rooms, each of which covers varying anthropological and archaeological themes. Jade, gold, ceramic, and stone objects are accompanied by graphics and textual explanations. Reading the placards, however, can be irksome because the English translations are peppered with grammatical mistakes. Maps, less prone to phrases lost in translation, also assist in showing the importance of jade and other materials in various regions of Costa Rica throughout history.
The significance of these objects in day to day living, as well as ceremonial practices, is explained in depth and in a historical context. Being only five rooms, the museum is rather small and can be explored in under an hour. Walking through the quiet halls is peaceful, and the soothing sound of a fountain can be heard from the main room. Dim lighting in the galleries makes the softly illuminated displays all the more welcoming. If you feel like you need a short reprieve from the clamor and heat of the city, the Jade Museum is waiting for you with a calming atmosphere and cool air.
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