Museums in Merida

MACAY Museum
Permanent Exhibitions of the work of Yucatecan artists, including additional paintings by Fernando Castro Pacheco, the painter of murals in the Governor's Palace. Museo MACAY also hosts visiting exhibits from other parts of Mexico. There is also usually a sculpture exhibit just outside the entrance in the walkway between the entrance and the cathedral. This is a must-see for anyone interested in contemporary art.

Calle 60, Next to Cathedral.
Tels: 928 3258 & 928 3236
Open: Monday to Thursday 10:00 - 18:00 hrs. Except on Tuesday when its closed.
Friday and Saturdays 10:00 - 20:00 hrs. and Sundays 10:00 - 18:00 hrs.
Admission Free
www.macay.org

Click here to learn what MACAY has to offer at the Museum and on the streets.

Above: MACAY museum and the cathedral

Anthropology & History Museum
Installed in a completely refurbished mansion is an extensive exhibit of local Mayan history and anthropolgy. Also occasionally hosts traveling exhibits. There is an excellent book and gift shop at the entrance.

Palacio G. Canton, Paseo de Montejo and Calle 43
Open Tuesday through Saturday 8:00-20:00, Sunday 8:00-14:00
Admission $37.00 pesos
www.inah.gob.mx

Click here to read more about the Anthropology & History Museum.

Above: The Museum of Anthropology

Governor's Palace
The interior arched courtyard, an upstairs gallery and the balcony are the sites for a display of paintings by Merida's local artist, Fernando Castro Pacheco. The murals display the history of the Yucatan.

On the North East corner of the Zocalo.
Open daily. Admission free.

Click here to read about the wonderful murals in Palacio de Gobierno - Governor's Palace.

Palacio de Gobierno

Inside Palacio de Gobierno

Merida City Museum
The cultural heritage that is housed in the beautiful and majestic Ex-Federal Post Office palace, shows the historical development of the city of Merida. This important building, inaugurated in 1908 by then governor Enrique Muñoz Aristequi, has special architectural characteristics that make is historically valuable. With French tendencies, it shows there was a definite economical well-being at the beginning of the 1900’s – the era of the green gold – the henequen fiber. Since June 29th, 2007, this building now houses the City of Merida Museum.

Entrance and all the services at the City Museum are free.
Location: Calle 56 # 529 A, between 65 and 65A Centro, Eulogio Rosado Park (Alameda of Merida)
Telephone: 923 6869, 924 4264, 924 4273
Schedules: Tuesday – Friday 9 AM – 8 PM.
Saturday and Sunday: 9AM – 2 PM
Contact: museodelaciudad@merida.gob.mx

Click here to read more about this wonderful museum.

Above: Merida City Museum

Railroad Museum
More than 40 old railroad cars and lots of memorabilia from the bygone days of the railroad are gathered together at Merida's Railroad Museum. The museum is found in a field on Calle 43 between Calle 48 and Calle 50.

Merida Planetarium
At the Olimpo Cultural Center on the zocalo is the relatively new Planetarium. Shows throughout the day from Tuesday through Saturday, tickets are $30 pesos, $15 for children and students. For more information, check out our Planetarium page.

Above: Courtyard between the Cathedral and entrance to Museo MACAY.

Yucatecan Music Museum
Exhibition of objects and works of Yucatecan music. Also pre-Hispanic and Afro-Cuban instruments. Includes a gift shop.
Tel: 01-999-923-7224

Calle 57#464-A near Calle 48 near Plaza Mejorada
Open Tuesday - Saturday 9:00-17:00
Admission $15.00 pesos - Sunday FREE

Natural History Museum
Calle 59 x 84
Tuesday - Sunday, 9:00-15:00
Admission Free

Merida Sculpture Walk
On Paseo de Montejo, going south from the Anthropology Museum (see above), the city of Merida has installed a semi-permanent collection of changing outdoor sculptures. The collection begins with a large sculpture in the circle at Calle 47 and Paseo Montejo, and ends at the corner of Avenida Colón, just beyond the former U.S. Embassy. The last sculpture is a permanent installation, a carved tree trunk, killed by Hurricane Isidore and reinvented as a beautiful work of art.

Museum Peon Contreras
Continually changing art exhibitions from around Mexico. Exhibits are usually of contemporary artists and can include sculpture, photography, painting, fabric, and just about anything else.

Calle 60 between 59 and 57 in the Peon Contreras Theater
Open most days until 9 pm
Admission Free

Pinacoteca "Juan Bamboa Guzman"
Permanent Exhibitions of Painting and Sculpture from early colonial times. Also houses occasional temporary exhibits. A recent exhibit included documents and artifacts from early Merida railroads.

Calle 59 between 58 and 60.
Open Tuesday - Saturday 8:00-20:00 & Sunday 8:00-2:00
Admission $10.00 pesos

Hacienda Yaxcopoil
Authentically maintained hacienda just minutes south of downtown Merida. Includes a museum of Mayan artifacts, guest house, gift shop and snack bar.

20 miles (33 km) south of Merida on Highway 261 to Uxmal at the 186 KM marker.

Monday - Saturday 8:00-18:00
Sunday 9:00-13:00
Admission $50.00 pesos
Tel. (999) 900 1193
Children accompanied by parents are free
Discounts for tours and other groups
www.yaxcopoil.com

Museo del Pueblo Maya
Permanent and extensive exhibit of Mayan artifacts from throughout the Yucatan and local culture up to the present day, including a beautiful huipile exhibit. The museum is air-conditioned and a pleasant addition to visiting the ruins. As you leave the museum to visit the ruins, you can walk through a typical Mayan house.

Dzibilchaltun
Open Tuesday - Sunday 8:00-16:00
Admission $60.00 pesos

Quinta Montes Molina
For an inside glimpse of one of the finer mansions on the Paseo Montejo, take a guided tour of the Quinta Montes Molina. Still owned by the same family, they have turned the property into a museum and reception place for weddings, XV años (Mexican version of Sweet 16), conventions and congresses. The house homes European furniture, Baccarat and Murano crystal chandeliers, clocks, art deco, art nouveau, porcelain and alabaster sculptures.
Guided tours in Spanish Mon–Fri 10am, 12im, 2 pm and 4 pm.
Guided tours in English Mon-Fri 9am, 11 am and 3pm.
$50 pesos adults / $25 pesos kids
Tours lasts 45 mins. to 1.5 hours depending on how many questions you have!
Other days and schedules, call for an appointment. Tel. 925 5999 www.laquintamm.com

Korean Museum
Calle 65 #397-A between 44 and 46 Monday to Friday 10 AM-2PM and 3PM-6PM and Saturdays 9 AM-2PM.
Entrance fee $5 pesos.

To read in Spanish click here

Read more about art in the Yucatan
 Anthropological Museum
 Art Galleries
Casa de los Artistas
 La Luz Gallery
 Izamal Cultural Center
 Mayan art
 Sculptures
 Handcrafts
The Calle 60 Stroll

Visit our map
 Map of Merida Historical Downtown
 Map of Merida Downtown
 Map of Merida City
 Map of Yucatan Peninsula

Events & Activities Calendar
Click Here for a complete description of the activites, events and attractions in the Yucatan.