Hacienda Santa Rosa, Historic monument in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Hacienda Santa Rosa is a colonial-style house located within Santa Rosa National Park, surrounded by open grasslands and natural vegetation. The building has been rebuilt to show how it appeared historically and now functions as a museum with exhibition spaces.

Santa Rosa was one of Costa Rica's largest and oldest haciendas, with agricultural and cattle activity documented from 1663 until 1966. The casona was built around 1750, first recorded in 1751 under Captain Juan Santos de San Pedro. In the 1890s the Barrios Sacaza family demolished the old house and rebuilt it on the same lime-and-stone foundations, enlarging it to its present design; the stone steps, bases and corral walls survive from 1856.

The restored house now displays military artifacts, farming equipment, and papers relating to Costa Rica's defense struggles. Walking through, you can see how people lived and understand the importance of these events to the nation's identity.

The grounds are accessible on most days, and it's wise to wear sturdy shoes since you'll walk across grass and simple paths. Bringing a hat and water is a good idea, especially if you plan to spend time outdoors.

The casona standing today is not the 1750 building: the Barrios Sacaza family demolished it in the early 1890s and raised a larger house on the same lime-and-stone footings. Original to the 1856 battle are the stone steps, the foundations, the stone corral walls flanking the house, and the old roads and wooded ground around it.