National Museum to Celebrate its 138th Anniversary with an Exhibition on the Oldest Objects in the Universe: Meteorites

The National Museum of Costa Rica will celebrate its 138th anniversary with the opening of the exhibition “Primitive Travelers of the Solar System,” a unique showcase of six meteorites that will allow the Costa Rican public to come closer to some of the oldest objects in the universe.

“Primitive Travelers of the Solar System” will feature six meteorites, including a fragment from the Aguas Zarcas impact
The exhibit will open during a cultural festival with storytelling, concert, family theater, craft fair, and traditional food on Sunday, May 4
Free admission for nationals and residents

San José, May 2, 2025 – The National Museum of Costa Rica (MNCR) will celebrate its 138th anniversary with the opening of the exhibition “Primitive Travelers of the Solar System,” a unique showcase of six meteorites that will allow the Costa Rican public to come closer to some of the oldest objects in the universe.

The exhibition, opening on Sunday, May 4 at 9 a.m., presents meteorites from Australia, Russia, Namibia, Argentina, and Costa Rica, including a fragment of the Aguas Zarcas meteorite, which impacted in San Carlos in 2019 and sparked significant national and international interest due to its carbon-rich composition.

With an accessible and educational focus, the exhibition invites visitors to explore the physical and chemical characteristics of meteorites, their differences from other celestial bodies, and their importance in the study of the origin of the solar system and life. This temporary exhibit will be located at the end of the Costa Rica history hall, and during its opening event, geologist Joanna Méndez, the exhibit’s curator, will be present to share her expertise with attendees.

In addition to the exhibit, the MNCR has organized a cultural festival to mark its 138th anniversary, featuring a diverse program of free activities for the public. Below is the full schedule:

Program | 138th Anniversary of the National Museum of Costa Rica

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Storytelling

With a fun and colloquial tone, accompanied by guitar and audience participation, storyteller and communicator Rodolfo González will entertain visitors with tales, poems, and adapted excerpts from the works of Costa Rican scientist Anastasio Alfaro.
Featured stories include “El Delfín de Corubicí” (1923), a novel that transports readers to the pre-Columbian indigenous world through an adventure on the Nicoya Peninsula, filled with encounters, dances, and traditions. Other stories such as El Farolelo, Ascensión al Volcán Irazú, El Abuelo, and Cerámica Chorotega blend science and narrative in González’s unique style.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Concert by the Elementary Symphonic Band of the National Music Institute

The Elementary Symphonic Band of the National Music Institute will perform a special concert with a repertoire designed for all audiences. The performance will include space-themed works such as Jupiter from Gustav Holst’s suite The Planets, selections from Fantasia 2000, the Batman theme, among other well-known pieces. The band is composed of 55 young musicians and directed by maestro Walter Jiménez.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Theater performance “Traveling on a Comet”

This play tells the story of Artemisa, a young astronaut who, during a dreamy journey, lands on the moon. On her way back home, she travels on a comet that takes her past various celestial bodies: asteroids, planets, and moons, before landing on a meteorite.
The show includes visual and stage elements such as puppets, original music, projections, and blacklight effects to create an immersive experience for all ages.

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Traditional crafts and food fair

As part of its commitment to cultural promotion and support for local entrepreneurs, the National Museum is hosting a fair featuring artisans and local producers. Attendees can purchase artistic pieces, handicrafts, minerals, and rocks, as well as enjoy a variety of traditional dishes.
Some of the participating artisans and entrepreneurs include:

Monteverde Stones: Jewelry, stones, and home décor.
Bendita Colmena: Beeswax candles and natural honey.
Taabit Jewelry: Jewelry made from stones, gourds, and coconut, inspired by architectural and cultural heritage designs.
B for Poppins: Silver jewelry with natural designs of leaves, flowers, and seeds encapsulated in resin.
Pollen Keepers: Pure, raw, infused, and creamed honeys, among others.

Admission to both the festival and the meteorite exhibit is free for nationals and residents on Sunday, May 4, upon presentation of an identity document.

About the National Museum of Costa Rica

Founded on May 4, 1887, during the presidency of Bernardo Soto, the National Museum was established to provide the country with a public institution to house, classify, and study natural and artistic artifacts.

From its earliest years, the National Museum of Costa Rica (MNCR) has focused on scientific research, education, exhibitions, and the protection of cultural and natural heritage. Notable early contributors include Anastasio Alfaro, Henri Pittier, Pablo Biolley, José Cástulo Zeledón, Adolfo Tonduz, María Fernández de Tinoco, and José Fidel Tristán, among others.

Before settling in the old Bellavista Barracks, the MNCR occupied four different buildings. The first three have since been demolished:

From 1887 to 1896, it was located in the building of the University of Santo Tomás.
From 1896 to 1903, it was situated in the gardens of El Laberinto in the southern sector of San José.
From 1903 to 1949, it was housed in the former building of the Liceo de Costa Rica, now the headquarters of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund.
Since 1950, the MNCR has been located in the facilities of the former Bellavista Barracks.