The Museo de Cultura Popular, or The Museum of Popular Culture, is situated between the edges of the town of Santa Lucia de Barva and Heredia in Costa Rica. The museum used to be the house of Costa Rica’s former president, Alfredo Gonzalez Flores. The house was transformed into the museum in 1995 as a commitment to cultural heritage and customs of Costa Rica. It is managed by the National University Social Sciences Faculty, particularly by the History and Sociology Schools. The little museum is actually a small coffee plantation farmhouse with a large porch and a beautiful garden which was built in 1885 using a barhareque technique with materials such as mud, timber, bamboo and wooden sticks. The House of Mud is one of the permanent exhibitions of The Museum of Popular Culture which stands to represent the traditional architecture of Central Valley of Costa Rica.

On their trip to the museum, visitors will have a great time viewing a long array of antiques, and other notable items of the 19th century. The display includes various Costa Rican articles related to fashion and popular culture of the particular period. The farmhouse has a range of significant household products and tools of 19th century that were used in daily routine. Furthermore, the house is fashioned with handcrafted furniture popular during the era. The visit will help the people to understand the different customs of the natives and their lifestyles. There is an exotic garden that encircles the museum; it is a truly enchanting zone for a calming stroll and offers a chance to admire the various kinds of blossoming tropical plants of Costa Rica. Along with entertainment, the establishment also serves a superb educational purpose. One visit and you will get to know a great deal about the country; the information will range from little facts of daily lives of indigenous people to the cultural history of the Latin American country. Occasionally, festivals and musical events are organized that portray various customs of the previous generations in a unique way. Adjoining The Museo de Cultura Popular, there is an open-roof restaurant which is known to serve traditional cuisines of the country. Fresh tortillas and tamales served by the restaurant are quite popular among the tourists and locals alike. The staff uses a clay oven to bake their food! The museum is open only on weekends. The timings on are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, if you are a group of 10 to 15 people who are interested to learn more, you can reserve a guided cultural tour beforehand during the weekend. You can even learn to make yummy tortillas on one of the trips!
Contact and Visit The Museum of Popular Culture

Location: St. Lucia, Barva de Heredia, Costa Rica
Address: Between Heredia and Barva; from Musmanni bakery in Santa Lucia de Barva, 100 m north, and then turn right 1 km/½ mi east; follow signs, Heredia, 40201
Phone Number: (506) 260-1619
Website: www.museo.una.ac.cr
Entrance Fee: $2.00 only
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.