Cancun Museums

  MUSEUMS

National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH)

Cancun’s museum is located on the ground floor of the city's convention center. It traces the Maya culture with an impressive collection of 1,000 to 1,500-year-old artifacts. There are a number of impressive carvings and frescoes, along with ancient artifacts that have been unearthed at nearby sites throughout Quintana Roo. A visit to the National Institute of Anthropology and History can add another dimension to your exploration of the Maya ruins and is a fascinating introduction to the ancient culture. It’s also a great way to pass a rainy day in Cancun. Guided tours in English, French, German, and Spanish are available. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 AM – 7 PM. Admission: $3, children under 11 free. Sundays free. Located at the Cancun Convention Center, Blvd Kukulcán Km 9. Tel: (998) 883-0305.

Museum of Anthropology and History
(Museo de Anthropologiá e Historia)

This museum is located in the grand capital of Mérida. Originally a residence for the governor, this mansion was transformed into a museum in 1977. The Museo de Anthropologiá e Historia showcases the Maya culture and history with exhibits of artifacts found from ruins on the peninsula. Here you can see ancient conch shells, stones, feathers, jade objects and jewelry used in Mayan rituals. Another display case explains the various customs of tattooing and head binding along with the myths associated with them. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 8 AM – 8 PM, Sundays, 8 AM – 2 PM. Admission: $1.60. Free on Sundays. Located on Calle 43 and Paseo Montejo, Mérida. Tel: (999) 23-05-57.

Museum of the Maya Culture (Museo de la Cultura Maya)

Chetumal, the capital of Quintana Roo, is home to the impressive Museum of Maya Culture. This is a sophisticated, interactive museum that explains the complex world of the Maya. Various exhibits outline the social classes, politics and customs along with the medicinal and domestic uses of plants. The most exciting display is the three-story Sacred Ceiba tree that represents the Maya cosmology. You can journey to the bottom floor into the underworld, to the middle floor that is earth or the top floor where the heavens and Maya gods reside. There are also hands-on exhibits demonstrating the long and short Maya calendar and their mathematical system. Models of the various sites show the differences in architecture. This museum is extremely popular with young and old alike and it’s well worth a visit for those who wish to learn more about the Maya. Open Tues-Thurs, 9 AM- 7 AM, Sat 9 AM-8 PM, Sun 9 AM – 2 PM. Admission: $3. Located on Héroes and Calle Mahatma Gandhi, Chetumal. Tel: (983) 326-838.