Museo de Arte Fundación Ortiz-Guardián

Probably the finest contemporary art museum in Central America, the Ortiz-Guardián Collection has spilled over from its original home in Casa Don Norberto Ramiréz, refurbished in 2000 to its original Creole Civil style, with Arabic tiles and impressive flagstones. It and another beautiful old home across the street are now packed with artwork; a Spanish-speaking guide costs extra, and is well worth it.

Begin surrounded by the luxurious realism of the Renaissance and spare beauty of the colonial period, then wander through romanticism, modernism, postmodernism and actually modern pieces by Cuban, Peruvian and other Latin American schools. Rubens, Picasso, Chagall and other big names make an appearance, but it's the work by Latin American masters - Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Fernando Botero, Roberto Matta and more - that define the collection. If you can't get enough, grab a coffee at nearby Hotel El Convento, owned by the same family, which displays many of their nicest religious pieces.