Art & Architecture

Since it's a small and provincial country, you'll find Costa Rica's culture somewhat similarly limited in size and scope. That said, there are vibrant current scenes in all the major arts -- music, literature, architecture, dance, and even film.

Architecture

Costa Rica lacks the large-scale pre-Columbian ceremonial ruins found throughout much of the rest of Mesoamerica. The only notable early archaeological site is Guayabo. However, only the foundations of a few dwellings, a handful of carved petroglyphs, and some road and water infrastructure are still visible here.

Similarly, Costa Rica lacks the large and well-preserved colonial-era cities found throughout much of the rest of Latin America. The original capital of Cartago has some old ruins and a few colonial-era buildings, as well as the country's grandest church, La Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles (Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels), which was built in honor of the country's patron saint, La Negrita, or the Virgin of Guadalupe.

In downtown San José, Barrio Amón and Barrio Otoya are two side-by-side upscale neighborhoods full of a stately mix of architectural stylings, with everything from colonial-era residential mansions, to Art Deco apartment buildings, and modern high-rise skyscrapers. One of the standout buildings here is the Metal School (Escuela Metalica), which dates to the 1880s, and was shipped over piece-by-piece from France, and erected in place.

On much of the Caribbean coast, you will find mostly wooden houses, built on raised stilts to rise above the wet ground and occasional flooding. Some of these houses feature ornate gingerbread trim.

Much of the rest of the country's architecture is pretty plain. Most residential houses are simple concrete-block affairs, with zinc roofs. A few modern architects are creating names for themselves. Ronald Zurcher, who designed the Four Seasons Resort and several other large hotel projects, is one of the shining lights of contemporary Costa Rican architecture.

Colonial-Era Remnant or Crime Deterrent? -- Most Costa Rican homes feature steel or iron grating over the doors and windows. I've heard more than one tour guide say this can be traced back to colonial-era architecture and design. However, I'm fairly convinced it is a relatively modern adaptation to the local crime scene.

Art

Unlike Guatemala, Mexico, or even Nicaragua, Costa Rica does not have a strong tradition of local or indigenous arts and crafts. The strong suit of Costa Rican art is European and Western influenced, ranging from neoclassical to modern in style.

Early painters to look out for include Max Jimenez, Francisco Amighetti, Manuel de la Cruz, and Teodorico Quiros. Recently deceased and living legends of the art world include Rafa Fernández, Lola Fernández, and Cesar Valverde. Contemporary artists making waves and names for themselves include Fernando Carballo, Rodolfo Stanley, Lionel Gonzalez, Manuel Zumbado, and Karla Solano. The last two are a husband-wife team, although they primarily work separately.

Sculpture is perhaps one of the strongest aspects of the Costa Rican art scene, with the large bronze works of Francisco "Paco" Zuñiga among the best of the genre. Meanwhile, the artists José Sancho, Edgar Zuñiga, and Jiménez Deredia are all producing internationally acclaimed pieces, many of monumental proportions. You can see examples by all of these sculptors around the country, as well as at San José's downtown Museo de Arte Costarricense. I also enjoy the whimsical works of Leda Astorga, who sculpts and then paints a pantheon of plump and voluptuous figures in interesting, and at times, compromising, poses.

You'll find several excellent museums and galleries in San José, as well as in some of the larger and more popular tourist destinations.