Costa Rica Archives and Libraries

Archives
Central American Archives Center for Research Libraries 6050 S. Kenwood Avenue Chicago, IL 60637-2804 Telephone: (800) 621-6044/(773) 955-4545 Email: [mailto:mwilke@crl.edu mwilke@crl.edu] Website: Central American Archives Website #2: Central American Archives


 * These archives encompass six million pages of original primary source documents (many of which are unique copies) spanning more than three centuries, from 1519 to 1898. They document Spanish rule in the New World from the founding of the city of Antigua, in Guatemala. The collection documents all aspects of commerce, politics, and development throughout El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the Yucatan and Chiapas regions of Mexico. Central American Archives is a rich resource for Latin American, Central American, and Spanish studies.

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

Center for Regional Research of Mesoamerica (CIRMA) 5a. Calle Oriente No. 5 La Antigua, Sacatepéquez Guatemala Telephone: (502) 7931-0300 Email: [mailto:cirma@cirma.org.gt cirma@cirma.org.gt] Website: Historical Archive Website #2: Center for Mesoamerican Research Website #3: Centro de Investigaciones Regionales de Mesoamérica (CIRMA)


 * The Historical Archive has as its main purpose to protect part of the country's historical memory through the rescue, organization, conservation and dissemination of documentary archives. The materials come from non-governmental institutions and private collections and are presented in different formats (paper, digital, microfilm, audio and video). These archives, some unique and others little known, enrich the national historical legacy and offer different points of view of Guatemalan society over time. Its collections, some of which are recognized as the nation's cultural heritage, date from the 16th century to the present, with an emphasis on the contemporary period starting in 1944. It currently houses 135 collections made up of more than eight million documents.

National Archives of Costa Rica Curridabat, San José Telephone: (506) 2283-1400 Email: [mailto:archivonacional@dgan.go.cr archivonacional@dgan.go.cr] Website: National Archives of Costa Rica


 * The National Archive of Costa Rica is a decentralized institution of the Ministry of Culture and Youth. It is the governing entity of the National Archives System, as well as manages the documentary heritage of the Nation and collaborates with the control of the notarial exercise in the country. Its aims are to preserve and disseminate the documentary heritage of the Nation, guarantee people's access to information, promote transparency in administrative management and support decision-making.

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: [mailto:dibinacr@racsa.co.cr dibinacr@racsa.co.cr] Email #2: [mailto:sinabicr@racsa.co.cr sinabicr@racsa.co.cr] Website: Costa Rica National Library

Alajuela Libraries
Aguas Zarcas Library Avenida 11 Alajuela Telephone: (506) 2474-0247 Email: [mailto:bpaguaszarcas@sinabi.go.cr bpaguaszarcas@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Aguas Zarcas Library Website #2: Aguas Zarcas Library

Alajuela Library Av 11 Alajuela Telephone: (506) 2441-2212 Email: [mailto:bpalajuela@sinabi.go.cr bpalajuela@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Alajuela Library Website #2: Alajuela Library

Atenas Library Avenida 2 Atenas Telephone: (506) 2446-5244 Email: [mailto:bpatenas@sinabi.go.cr bpatenas@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Atenas Library Website #2: Atenas Library

Ciudad Quesada, San Carlos Library 141 Ciudad Quesada Telephone: (506) 2460-3635 Email: [mailto:bpciudadquesada@sinabi.go.cr bpciudadquesada@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Ciudad Quesada, San Carlos Library Website #2: Ciudad Quesada Library

Grecia Library Edificio de la Cultura Grecia Telephone: (506) 2494-2441 Email: [mailto:bpgrecia@sinabi.go.cr bpgrecia@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Grecia Library Website #2: Grecia Library

Naranjo Library Avenida 2 Naranjo Telephone: (506) 2451-1440 Email: [mailto:bpnaranjo@sinabi.go.cr bpnaranjo@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Naranjo Library Website #2: Naranjo Library Website #3: Naranjo Library

Palmares Library Detras del Palacio Municipal Palmares Telephone: (506) 2453-3066 Email: [mailto:bppalmares@sinabi.go.cr bppalmares@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Palmares Library Website #2: Palmares Library

Pital Library Pital Telephone: (506) 2473-4200 Email: [mailto:bppital@sinabi.go.cr bppital@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Pital Library

San Mateo Library Contiguo al CEN CINAI San Mateo Telephone: (506) 2428-4585 Email: [mailto:bpsanmateo@sinabi.go.cr bpsanmateo@sinabi.go.cr] Website: San Mateo Library Website #2: San Mateo Library

San Pedro de Poás Library San Pedro de Poás Telephone: (506) 2448-5884 Email: [mailto:bppoas@sinabi.go.cr bppoas@sinabi.go.cr] Website: San Pedro de Poás Library Website #2: San Pedro de Poás Library

San Rafael de Poás Library San Rafael de Poás Telephone: (506) 2448-5369 Email: [mailto:bpsanrafael@sinabi.go.cr bpsanrafael@sinabi.go.cr] Email #2: [mailto:biblioteca0419@hotmail.com biblioteca0419@hotmail.com] Website: San Rafael de Poás Library

San Ramón Library San Ramón Telephone: (506) 2445-5126 Email: [mailto:bpsanramon@sinabi.go.cr bpsanramon@sinabi.go.cr] Website: San Ramón Library

Sarchí Valverde Vega Library Calle 2 Sarchí Telephone: (506) 2454-1340 Email: [mailto:bpsarchi@sinabi.go.cr bpsarchi@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Sarchí Valverde Vega Library

Upala Library Avenida 1 Upala Telephone: (506) 2470-0785 Email: [mailto:bibliotecapublicaupala@gmail.com bibliotecapublicaupala@gmail.com] Website: Upala Library

Zaragoza Library Zaragoza Telephone: (506) 2453-2236 Email: [mailto:bpzaragoza@sinabi.go.cr bpzaragoza@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Zaragoza Library

Cartago Libraries
Cartago Library Calle 14 Cartago Telephone: (506) 2552-3126 Email: [mailto:bibliotecartago@gmail.com bibliotecartago@gmail.com] Website: Cartago Library Website #2: Cartago Library

Cot Library Cot Telephone: (506) 2536-7597 Email: [mailto:bpcot@sinabi.go.cr bpcot@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Cot Library Website #2: Cot Library

Juan Viñas Library Calle 2, Costado sur de la Cruz Roja Juan Viñas Telephone: (506) 2532-2445 Email: [mailto:bibliotecajuanvi@gmail.com bibliotecajuanvi@gmail.com] Website: Juan Viñas Library Website #2: Juan Viñas Library

Paraíso Library Avenida 1 y 3. calle 4 Paraíso Telephone: (506) 2575-1282 Email: [mailto:bpparaiso@sinabi.go.cr bpparaiso@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Paraíso Library Website #2: Paraíso Library

Tres Ríos Library Tres Ríos Telephone: (506) 2279-4567 Email: [mailto:bptresrios@sinabi.go.cr bptresrios@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Tres Ríos Library Website #2: Tres Ríos Library

Turrialba Library Ramal a Pejibaye Turrialba Telephone: (506) 2556-8260 Email: [mailto:bpturrialba@sinabi.go.cr bpturrialba@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Turrialba Library Website #2: Turrialba Library

Guanacaste Libraries
Bagaces Library House of Culture Bagaces Telephone: (506) 2671-1094 Email: [mailto:bpbagaces@sinabil.go.cr bpbagaces@sinabil.go.cr] Website: Bagaces Library

Cañas Library 150 north of the Cural House Cañas Telephone: (506) 2669-3035 Email: [mailto:bpcanas@sinabi.go.cr bpcanas@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Cañas Library

Filadelfia Library Filadelfia, Carrillo Telephone: (506) 2688-7716 Email: [mailto:bpfiladelfia@sinabi.go.cr bpfiladelfia@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Filadelfia Library Website #2: Filadelfia Library

Hojancha Library Hojancha Telephone: (506) 2659-9116 ext. 116 Email: [mailto:bphojancha@sinabi.go.cr bphojancha@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Hojancha Library

La Cruz Library Adjacent to the Cemetery of La Cruz Liberia Telephone: (506) 2679-9718 Email: [mailto:bplacruz@sinabi.go.cr bplacruz@sinabi.go.cr] Website: La Cruz Library

Liberia Library West side of the Daniel Oduber Quirós Museum Liberia Telephone: (506) 2666-2889 Email: [mailto:bpliberia@sinabi.go.cr bpliberia@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Liberia Library Website #2: Liberia Library

Nicoya Library 50 North Liceo de Nicoya Telephone: (506) 2685-4213 Email: [mailto:bpnicoya@sinabi.go.cr bpnicoya@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Nicoya Library Website #2: Nicoya Library

Nosara Library Nosara Telephone: (506) 2682-0211 Email: [mailto:bpnosara@sinabi.go.cr bpnosara@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Nosara Library Website #2: David Kitson Library

Santa Cruz Library Santa Cruz Telephone: (506) 2680-4316 Email: [mailto:bpsantacruz@sinabi.go.cr bpsantacruz@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Santa Cruz Library Website #2: Public Library of Santa Cruz

Tilarán Library Tilarán Telephone: (506) 2695-4835 Email: [mailto:bptilaran@sinabi.go.cr bptilaran@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Tilarán Library

Heredia Libraries
Chilamate Library Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui Telephone: (506) 2761-2082 Email: [mailto:bpchilamate@sinabi.go.cr bpchilamate@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Chilamate Library

Guararí Library Guararí Telephone: (506) 2238-4058 Email: [mailto:bpguarari@sinabi.go.cr bpguarari@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Guararí Library Website #2: Guararí Library

Heredia Library Heredia Telephone: (506) 2237-8043 Email: [mailto:bpheredia@sinabi.go.cr bpheredia@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Heredia Library Website #2: Heredia Library Website #3: Heredia Library

Paracito Library Paracito Santo Domingo Telephone: (506) 2294-7211 Email: [mailto:bpparacito@sinabi.go.cr bpparacito@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Paracito Library Website #2: Paracito Library

San Joaquín Library Municipalidad de Flores 100 Sur Telephone: (506) 2265-8043 Email: [mailto:bpsanjoaquin@sinabi.go.cr bpsanjoaquin@sinabi.go.cr] Website: San Joaquín Library Website #2: San Joaquín Library

San Pablo Library San Pablo Telephone: (506) 2237-9495 Email: [mailto:centrodeconocimiento@sanpablo.go.cr centrodeconocimiento@sanpablo.go.cr] Website: San Pablo Library

Santa Bárbara Library Santa Bárbara Telephone: (506) 2269-5363 Email: [mailto:bpsantabarbara@sinabi.go.cr bpsantabarbara@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Santa Bárbara LibraryWebsite #2: Santa Bárbara Library

Limón Libraries
Limón Library Puerto Limón Limón Telephone: (506) 2758-0923/2758-3914 Email: [mailto:bplimon@sinabi.go.cr bplimon@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Limón Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública de Limón "Mayor Thomas Benjamin Lynch" Website #3: Biblioteca Pública de Limón

Matina Library Avenida 2 805, Limón, Matina Telephone: (506) 2718-1340/2718-1356 Email: [mailto:bpmatina@sinabi.go.cr bpmatina@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Matina Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública De Matina

Siquirres Library Calle 3 Limón, Siquirres Telephone: (506) 2768-7490 Email: [mailto:bibliotecapublicasiquirres@yahoo.es bibliotecapublicasiquirres@yahoo.es] Website: Siquirres Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública Municipal de Siquirres

Puntarenas Libraries
Esparza Library Esparza Telephone: (506) 2635-5866 Email: [mailto:bpesparza@sinabi.go.cr bpesparza@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Esparza Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública de Esparza

Garabito Library 61101 Jacó Telephone: (506) 2643-1116 Email: [mailto:bpgarabito@sinabi.go.cr bpgarabito@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Garabito Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública de Garabito

Golfito Library Golfito Telephone: (506) 2775-0179 Email: [mailto:bpgolfito@sinabi.go.cr bpgolfito@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Golfito Library Website #2: Biblioteca Publica Golfiito

Lepanto, Jicaral Library Lepanto, Jicaral Telephone: (506) 2650-0198 ext. 110 Email: [mailto:kattia@gmail.com kattia@gmail.com] Website: Lepanto, Jicaral Library

Puntarenas Library Av. Central Puntarenas Telephone: (506) 2661-3748 Email: [mailto:bppuntarenas@sinabi.go.cr bppuntarenas@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Puntarenas Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública de Puntarenas

San José Libraries
Aserrí Library Aserrí Telephone: (506) 2230-3444 Email: [mailto:bpaserri@sinabi.go.cr bpaserri@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Aserrí Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública de Aserrí

Ciudad Colón Library Av 6, Ciudad Colón Telephone: (506) 2249-3516 Email: [mailto:bpciudadcolon@sinabi.go.cr bpciudadcolon@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Ciudad Colón Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública de Ciudad Colón

Curridabat Library C091 Curridabat Telephone: (506) 2272-7835 Email: [mailto:biblioteca@curridabat.go.cr biblioteca@curridabat.go.cr] Website: Curridabat Library

Desamparados Library Av. 3 Desamparados Telephone: (506) 2250-0426 Email: [mailto:bpdesamparados@sinabi.go.cr bpdesamparados@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Desamparados Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública de Desamparados "Joaquín García Monge"

Goicoechea Library Guadalupe Telephone: (506) 2245-4501 Email: [mailto:bpgoicoechea@sinabi.go.cr bpgoicoechea@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Goicoechea Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública de Goicoechea

Hatillo Library Hatillo Telephone: (506) 2254-1028 Email: [mailto:bphatillo@sinabi.go.cr bphatillo@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Hatillo Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública de Hatillo

Montes de Oca, San Pedro Library Montes de Oca, San Pedro Telephone: (506) 2280-9395 Email: [mailto:bpmontesdeoca@sinabi.go.cr bpmontesdeoca@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Montes de Oca, San Pedro Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública de Montes de Oca "Faustino Montes de Oca"

Moravia Library Moravia Telephone: (506) 2240-8116/2240-7693/2236-5222 Email: [mailto:bpmoravia@sinabi.go.cr bpmoravia@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Moravia Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública de Moravia

National Library (Biblioteca Nacional) San José Telephone: (506) 2257-4814/2211-4305 Email: [mailto:bibliotecanacional_sinabi@go.cr bibliotecanacional_sinabi@go.cr] Website: National Library

Pérez Zeledón Library Pérez Telephone: (506) 2771-3816/2771-2336 Email: [mailto:bpperezeledon@sinabi.go.cr bpperezeledon@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Pérez Zeledón Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pérez Zeledón

Puriscal Library Puriscal Telephone: (506) 2416-8300 Email: [mailto:bppuriscal@sinabi.go.cr bppuriscal@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Puriscal Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública de Puriscal

San Gabriel Aserrí Library San Gabriel Aserrí Telephone: (506) 2540-1433 Email: [mailto:bpsangabriel@sinabi.go.cr bpsangabriel@sinabi.go.cr] Website: San Gabriel Aserrí Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública San Gabriel

Santa Ana Library Av 1 Santa Ana Telephone: (506) 2282-9106 Email: [mailto:bpsantaana@sinabi.go.cr bpsantaana@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Santa Ana Library Website #2: de Santa Ana

Tarrazú Library San Marcos Telephone: (506) 2546-1976 Email: [mailto:bibliomuni2014@gmail.com bibliomuni2014@gmail.com] Website: Tarrazú Library Website #2: Biblioteca Municipal Tarrazú

Tibás Library Tibás Telephone: (506) 2236-3087 Email: [mailto:bptibas@sinabi.go.cr bptibas@sinabi.go.cr] Website: Tibás Library Website #2: Biblioteca Pública de Tibás

Museums
Juan Santamaria Historical Cultural Museum Avenida 1, Calle Central y 2 Alajuela Telephone: (506) 2441-4775/2430-5778 Email: [mailto:info@mhcjs.go.cr info@mhcjs.go.cr] Email #2: [mailto:educacion@mhcjs.go.cr educacion@mhcjs.go.cr] Website: Juan Santamaria Historical Cultural Museum Website #2: Museo Histórico Cultural Juan Santamaría


 * The Museum's collections are made up of materials that testify historical aspects related to the Central American war waged against the invading filibuster William Walker in 1856-1857: oil paintings, portraits, documents, weapons, and various objects related to this heroic deed. It is also responsible for assuming an evaluative function of Alajuela's cultural heritage and providing alternatives for community enjoyment and participation in the historical, educational, artistic, and cultural in general.

Museum of San Ramon Calle Central Avenida Juan Santamaría. Costado Norte del parque Central San Ramón Telephone: (506) 445-5533/2511-7103 Email: [mailto:museo.regional.sanramon@gmail.com museo.regional.sanramon@gmail.com] Website: Museo Regional de San Ramón


 * Small museum containing pre-Columbian items of local history and culture.

National Museum of Costa Rica Calle 17, Avenidas Central y Segunda | Antiguo Cuartel Bella Vista San Jose Telephone: (506) 257-1433/256-8643 Email: [mailto:informacion@museocostarica.go.cr informacion@museocostarica.go.cr] Website: National Museum of Costa Rica Website #2: History of the National Museum Website #3: Museo Nacional Costa Rica


 * 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.

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

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