Costa Rica Archives and Libraries

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Costa Rica

Archives and Libraries

Archives

National Archives of Costa Rica
From the Plaza del Sol Shopping Center, 900 m south and 150 m west. Curridabat, San José
Telephone: (506) 2283-1400
Email: Archivonacional@dgan.go.cr
Mailing address: PO Box: 41 2020, Zapote, Costa Rica
Website

Central American Archives
4th Avenue, 7th and 8th Streets, Zone 1
Guatemala City, Guatemala

This History of the General Archive of Central America located in Guatemala gives more detail on the types of records held.

CRL (Center for Research Libraries) Acquires Central American Archives

Finding Aid

Costa Rica Catalogue Search

Accessing the CRL Collections Information on borrowing records

"The Archivo General de Centroamérica (Central American Archives) 1544-1821, in Guatemala, is the most comprehensive collection found anywhere in the world of historical records spanning the period of Spanish rule in the Americas. The holdings of the Archivo include myriad types of documents covering a host of cultural, legislative, judicial, fiscal, economic, religious, military, agricultural and commercial matters pertaining to the Kingdom of Guatemala, an area which, from the time of the Conquest in 1544 through 1821, embraced modern-day Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the Mexican State of Chiapas."

Church Archives

Archdiocesan Historical Archive - Monsignore Bernardo Augusto Thiel
Av. 10
San José, Costa Rica
Next to las Ánimas church
Telephone: (506) 2223-2344
Email: archivocuria@arquisanjose.org
Website: Archdiocese Historical Archive

The Archdiocesan Historical Archive - Monsignore Bernardo Augusto Thiel is the Historical Archive of the Archdiocese of San José (Costa Rica), in charge of preserve and making available to the interesed parties the documentary heritage of the archive, the result of the activity developed by different diocesan institutions since the end from the 16th century onwards. Its is therefore a private archive, open to the public because the Church understands that "the archive, as cultural goods, (...) over time acquire a universal dimension, becoming the heritage of all humanity". For more information about collections see Collections

Libraries

Costa Rica National Library (Biblioteca National Miguel Obregón Lizano)
Streets 15 and 17 Avenues 3 and 3B, San Jose
Telephone: (506) 221-2479 / (506) 221-2436
Email: dibinacr@racsa.co.cr
Email #2: sinabicr@racsa.co.cr
Website: Costa Rica National Library

Museums

For a list of museums in Costa Rica, go to List of museums in Costa Rica in Wikipedia.

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National Museum of Costa Rica
Calle 17, Avenidas Central y Segunda | Antiguo Cuartel Bella Vista
San Jose
Telephone: (506) 257-1433/256-8643
Email: informacion@museocostarica.go.cr
Website
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Since its very first years, the Costa Rica National Museum has focused on scientific investigation, education, exhibition, and defense of the country's natural and cultural heritage. Inside museum, tourists can find a wide variety of displays on the country's history and culture, from the pre-Columbian times all the way to the present.

Record Offices

National Registry of Costa Rica
215, San José Province, Curridabat
Telephone: (506) 2020-873/2281-3179/2202 0888
Email: bjuridica@rnp.go.cr
Website: National Registry of Costa Rica

In Costa Rica's National Registry we protect registered rights, providing legal security with quality services, qualified human resources, and suitable technology.