Costa Rica, June 2025 – Get ready, padres y madres: this July, the National Insurance Institute’s (INS) Jade and Pre-Columbian Culture Museum transforms into a playground of ancient wonders—completely free for kiddos! From July 5th through July 20th, pint-sized explorers can dive into Costa Rica’s millennia-old traditions through five action-packed workshops. But hurry—registration opens today, June 25th at 9:30 am, and spots vanish faster than a jaguar in the rainforest canopy.
📞 How to Claim Your Kiddo’s Passport to the Past
- When: Registration begins June 25 at 9:30 am.
- How: Dial 2287-6000, then extensions 2051, 32061, or 32073.
- Cost: Free! (But reservations are mandatory.)
- Age ranges: From toddlers (1 year old) up to sprightly nonagenarians (we won’t judge if Grandma wants in).
Pro tip: bookmark those numbers right now—when the clock strikes 9:30, you’ll want your fingers ready faster than a sloth on espresso.
🎉 Live the Party! July 5 | Ages 4 and Up
Kick off the holiday with a splash of confetti in Live the Party! This creative performing arts workshop invites children to:
- Design masks and puppets inspired by Costa Rica’s vibrant fiestas.
- Craft festive costumes to rival any carnival cavalcade.
- Invent original characters—maybe a tapir in top hat? (We won’t stop you.)
- Dance and drum to the rhythms of local celebrations.
Kids will learn the history of our national festivals, from the storied processions of San José to the colorful dance troupes of Guanacaste. Laughter guaranteed; no metaphorical maracas required.
🏺 Cultural Morning | July 9 & 16 | Ages 4–99
Ever wondered what life was like before smartphones? In Cultural Morning, participants traverse time to uncover:
- Daily and spiritual rituals of Costa Rica’s pre-Columbian inhabitants.
- Archaeological methods: mock excavations, guided room tours, and artifact animations.
- Q&A sessions with on-site archaeologists who eat, breathe—and sometimes dream—in clay shards.
Whether your favorite relic is jade jewelry or a pottery shard, this workshop will ignite imaginations across generations. (Warning: May induce sudden urges to dust off your own family heirlooms.)
🏘 The Museum Is Like a House with Many Rooms | July 10 | Ages 4 and Up
Ready, set… rally! On July 10, young sleuths lace up their detective boots for a fun-filled tour of every exhibit:
- Solve riddles hidden among the Olmec jade pieces.
- Spot secret symbols carved into ceremonial masks.
- Decode the color-coded trail to the museum’s most elusive chamber.
By the end, each child earns a “Junior Curator” badge—perfect for bragging rights back at the snack table.
🌙 Night Trip | July 12 | Ages 1–3
Tiny toes tiptoe into the twilight at Night Trip, a sensory voyage for toddlers:
- Glow-in-the-dark crafts inspired by nocturnal animals—think owls, bats, and mystical night-prowlers of the pre-Columbian world.
- Soundscapes: rustling leaves, distant howls, and frog choruses to spark auditory wonder.
- Shadow play and gentle lights exploring the magic hidden between dusk and dawn.
Special focus on calm, curiosity, and cuddles—because even the smallest explorers need a little reassurance when the sun says “see you tomorrow.”
❤️ The Path of the Heart Through the Lens | July 19 | Ages 8 and Up
Art meets archaeology on July 19 with artist Sussy Vargas:
- Gallery stroll through Vargas’s “Cartographies of the Heart” exhibition, decoding symbols of memory and emotion.
- DIY camera obscura workshop: build a pinhole camera with cardboard, lenses, and a dash of family teamwork.
- Photo mission: search the museum for heart-shaped artifacts, shadow patterns, and colors that echo personal memories.
- Show-and-tell: project shots, swap stories, and reflect on what “home” feels like in ancient stone and modern hearts.
By day’s end, participants will see the museum—and their families—in a whole new light.
🎟 2-for-1 Admission for Nationals | July 5–20
While children’s workshops are free, the general admission for Costa Ricans gets a 2-for-1 boost from July 5th to 20th. Bring:
- Adults: ₡3,000 each (but with 2-for-1, that’s two tickets for one entry fee!).
- Students (with ID): ₡1,200.
- Kids under 5: Always free.
Tip: Plan a multi-generational outing—grandparents fascinated by jade, parents geeking out over archaeological tech, and kids literally running from room to room. Culture has never been so family-friendly.
🕰 Museum Hours & Location
- Where: West side of Plaza de la Democracia, San José.
- When: Monday–Sunday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm.
- Parking: Limited on-site spots; public transit and ride-shares recommended.
Don’t miss the jade lobby’s selfie corner—perfect for Instagram stories tagged #PuraVidaTinyAdventurers.
🏆 Why These Workshops Matter
- Learning by Doing: Interactive workshops embed history and culture far deeper than any textbook.
- Creativity & Confidence: From mask-making to camera assembly, kids build skills and self-esteem.
- Family Bonding: Shared experiences at a world-class museum forge memories stronger than volcanic basalt.
- Cultural Stewardship: Early exposure to heritage fuels respect for Costa Rica’s archaeological legacy and inspires the next generation of guardians.
In an age of screens and endless notifications, these tactile adventures spark genuine curiosity and foster a lifelong love of learning.
🚀 How to Maximize Your Visit
- Register early: Those 9:30 am sign-ups fill up fast; set an alarm and dial promptly.
- Pack snacks and water: Young archaeologists burn more calories than you’d think.
- Dress comfortably: Layers recommended—San José’s mornings can be cool, afternoons pleasantly warm.
- Download the museum app: Audio guides, floor plans, and artifact deep-dives are just a tap away.
Bonus: tag @MuseoDelJade on social media for a chance to win a private, behind-the-scenes family tour later this year.
Let your children trade screen time for hands-on history this July. With free workshops tailored to every age, plus unbeatable 2-for-1 admission for nationals, the INS Jade and Pre-Columbian Culture Museum turns mid-year holidays into an epic cultural odyssey. Don’t let them miss out on live-action archaeology, nocturnal mysteries, and the chance to capture their hearts—through the lens and beyond.
