17 Best Museums in Merida Mexico to Visit in 2023
Looking for the best Merida museums?
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
1. Gran Museo del Mundo Maya
Merida Travel Tips: Casa 495, and many other museums in Merida, are closed Mondays. If you’re looking for things to do in Merida on Monday, head to Dzibilchaltun Museum at the ruins.
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
2. Museum at Dzibilchaltun Mayan Ruins
🤔 In case you were wondering, the Dzibilchaltun pronunciation is zee-bee-shall-tune!
Cenote Xlacah at Dzibilchaltun Ruins
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
3. Museo Casa Montejo
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
4. Museo Palacio Canton
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
5. Museo Fernando García Ponce (MACAY)
The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatán, or MACAY for short, is the premier modern and contemporary art museum in the Yucatan Peninsula.
It is one of the biggest and best museums in Merida, located next to the grand Merida Cathedral in Plaza Grande.
There are 15 temporary exhibition rooms, which rotate exhibits every three months, so check their schedule to see what’s on view now.
The museum also has two galleries and four permanent rooms, featuring works by Yucatan artists like Fernando Garcia Ponce, the museum’s namesake.
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
6. Pasaje a la Revolucion
Taking the free Merida walking tour? You’ll meet right across the street from the Pasaje a la Revolucion in the pink Palacio Municipal de Mérida building (Merida Municipal Palace).
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
7. Museo de las Gastronomia Yucateca (MUGY)
🍫 Want to visit another Merida food museum? Check out the Cacao Chocolate Museum Merida on Paseo Montejo.
To learn about Yucatan food, and eat it, head to the Museo de la Gastronomia Yucateca (MUGY). Located in downtown Merida, this traditional casona restaurant has a small museum and replica of a Mayan village so you can learn about Yucatan food in an interactive space.
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
8. Casa Montejo 495 (Casas Gemelas)
Merida Travel Tips: Casa 495, and many other museums in Merida, are closed Mondays. If you’re looking for things to do in Merida on Monday, head to Dzibilchaltun Museum at the ruins.
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
9. Fundacion de Artistas
- Fundacion de Artistas Address: Calle 55 #520, Mérida Yucatán, 97000 (📍Map)
- Fundacion de Artistas Hours: Open Monday-Sunday, 10:30am-8:30pm
- Fundacion de Artistas Admission Cost: FREE
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
10. City of Merida Museum
The Museo de la Ciudad de Merida chronicles the history of the city — one of the oldest on the Americas Continent.
There are four rooms in the museum, showcasing prehispanic pieces from the city of T’ho (Mayan name for Merida), through the modern-day 19th century and 20th century.
GAMM (Municipal Merida Art Gallery)
Located within the museum, there’s works by local Yucatan and Mayan artists, Mexican artists and international artists and expats living in Merida. A so-called Blue Chip gallery, most of the pieces are available for sale.
- City of Merida Museum Address: Calle 56 #529A, Mérida Yucatán, 97000 (📍Map)
- City of Merida Museum Hours: Open Tuesday to Friday, 10am-6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-2pm
- City of Merida Museum Admission Cost: FREE
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
11. Merida Railroad Museum (Great for Kids)
Looking for the best things to do in Merida with kids, and the best museums in Merida for kids? Look no further than the Museo de Los Ferrocarriles de Yucatan (Yucatan Railway Museum, usually called the Merida Railway Museum).
This museum houses the second largest collection of railway equipment in Mexico. See a range of locomotives, carriages and wagons from across the ages of Mexican and Yucatan rail history, including a wooden Pullman carriage from the 1890s, and a 1930s diesel electric locomotive.
- Merida Railroad Museum Address: Calle 43 #429, Mérida Yucatán, 97000 (📍Map)
- Merida Railroad Museum Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-2pm
- Merida Railroad Museum Admission Cost: $30 pesos ($2USD)
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
12. Museo Quinta Montes Molina
Quinta Montes Molina (AKA Casa Museo Montes Molina) is the only museum in Merida that remains in its original state since completion in 1902. Its well-manicured gardens and elaborate interior showcase how wealthy families lived in Merida at that time.
Located on the beautiful Paseo de Montejo street, this is the home Francisco de Montejo and “the Montejos” lived in — the founders of Merida, Mexico. Besides the home, there’s a nice collection of high quality regional handicrafts and local arts.
- Quinta Montes Molina Museum Address: Paseo de Montejo #469, Mérida Yucatán, 97000 (📍Map)
- Quinta Montes Molina Museum Hours: Tours are offered by reservation only, and you’ll find information on their website.
- Quinta Montes Molina Museum Admission Cost: $100 pesos ($5USD)
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
13. Filux Lab (Merida Art Gallery)
Filux Lab is one of the coolest museums in Merida! It’s an independent space which promotes a sense of artistic community in Merida, with a rotating lineup of exhibits centered around light.
True sensory experience, you never know what you’ll get at Filux Merida — but it’s always amazing.
🎨 Want to visit more of the best art galleries in Merida? Check out Nahualli Casa de los Artistas, Soho Gallery, Galeria La Eskalera, La Sala Art Gallery, Galeria Merida, Galeria Tataya and Casa Pompidou.
- Filux Lab Museum Address: Calle 64 #383, Mérida Yucatán Mexico, 97000 (📍Map)
- Filux Lab Hours: Open Friday-Sunday, 7pm-10pm
- Filux Lab Admission Cost: $50 pesos ($2.50USD)
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
14. Museum of Popular Art of Yucatan
The Museo de Arte Popular de Yucatan (Museum of Popular Art of Yucatan, AKA Casa Molina) is a small, but also one of the best museums in Merida to see folk art.
It is a converted two-story house showcasing art, handicrafts, textiles and more, made by artisans from all over Mexico.
- Merida Museum of Popular Art Address: Calle 50-A #487, Mérida Mexico, 97000 (📍Map)
- Merida Museum of Popular Art Hours: Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, Sunday, 10am-3pm
- Merida Museum of Popular Art Admission Cost: FREE
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
15. Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace)
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
16. Palacio de la Música (Merida Music Museum)
The Palacio de la Música (Merida Music Palace) has eight virtual pavilions showcasing the history of music from all over Mexico. There’s one whole room dedicated to the local Yucatan trova, a type of serenade, as well as a music library, video library and a concert hall.
- Merida Music Museum Address: Calle 50-A #487, Mérida Mexico, 97000 (📍Map)
- Merida Music Museum Hours: Open daily, 10am-6pm
- Merida Music Museum Admission Cost: $ 150 pesos ($ 8USD)
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
17. Hacienda Yaxcopoil
Hacienda Yaxcopoil (pronounced yash-coe-poe-ill) is located about an hour outside of Merida, but worth the trip to see one of the best Merida haciendas in Yucatan. Built in the 16th century and 17th century, it has been fully restored back to its former glory, and open for tours.
The inside of the Hacienda Yaxcopoil house itself is basically a museum to the Old World. From the outside, you can tour the beautiful grounds and see all the large-scale machinery used to make Merida’s main export — sisal.
🏰 Want to visit more haciendas near Merida? Hacienda Santa Cruz is a great hacienda, hotel, spa, perfect for a relaxing afternoon, and Hacienda San Ildefonso Teya has one of the best restaurants in Merida to sample traditional Yucatan food.
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
Merida Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Merida Mexico?
Merida is the capital of Yucatan state, one of the three states that make up Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, along with Quintana Roo and Campeche states. Many think Merida is on the beach, but it’s actually about 45 minutes from Puerto Progreso, the closest Merida beach.
Merida Map
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
Where to stay in Merida
The vast majority of visitors will want to stay in Centro Historico (Downtown Merida), especially if you aren’t renting a car in Merida, because downtown is walkable. Check out the guides below, which highlight all the best Merida accommodations ⤵
- Best Merida Hotels
- Best Merida Boutique Hotels
- Best Merida Airbnbs & VRBOs
- Best Merida Hacienda Hotels
- Best Hotels in Merida
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
Flights to Merida, Mexico
Best Merida Airport transfers
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
Is Merida Mexico safe?
Yes — For the vast majority of travelers, Merida is safe. That’s not to say “bad” things don’t happen in Merida; they do. However, Merida is widely known as the safest city in Mexico. As safety is a complex topic, check out Is Merida Safe for Travelers? for a deep dive about Merida safety.
Is Merida Mexico worth visiting?
Yes — Now, I’m admittedly biased on this question, but even still, Merida is one of the best places in Yucatan to visit. La Ciudad Blanca (The White City of Merida) is known as the Culture Capital of Yucatan for its rich Mayan history, only one of many reasons to take a Merida vacation!
best museums IN MERIDA MEXICO
What’s the best time to visit Merida Mexico?
Winter — You’ll get the best Merida weather from about late-October to late-March. Now that you know the best time to travel to Merida, the worst month to visit is May. This is the hottest month of the year, though it’s just generally pretty hot from May to September.
Merida Weather
Final Thoughts: Best Museums in Merida Mexico
Merida Travel Planning Guide
Should I buy Mexico travel insurance?
100% YES! — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Travel Insurance Master, one of the biggest names in travel insurance. (Read more)
Can you drink the water in Merida?
No — You’ll want to buy a Water-To-Go Bottle, which filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick from drinking water in Mexico, and helps keep you hydrated while traveling Mexico. (Read more)
Is it safe to rent a car in Merida?
Yes — Renting a car in Mexico is one of the best ways to see the country! I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks both international companies and local Mexican companies, so you get the best rates. (Read more)
Will my phone work in Merida?
Maybe — It depends on your company, so check with your provider. If you don’t have free Mexico service, buy a Telcel SIM Card. As Mexico’s largest carrier, Telcel has the best coverage of any Mexico SIM Cards. (Read more)
What’s the best way to book my Merida accommodation?
For Mexico hotels and hostels, Booking.com is the best site. If you’re considering a Mexico Airbnb, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb! (Read more)
What’s the best site to buy Mexico flights?
For finding cheap Mexico flights, I always recommend Skyscanner.
Do I need a visa for Mexico?
Likely Not — U.S., Canadian and most European Passport holders don’t need a visa for Mexico; but check here to see if you do need a Mexico travel visa. The majority of travelers will receive a 180-Day FMM Tourist Visa upon arrival.