Museums, Galleries, and Cultural Centers
The state of Yucatán and its capital, Mérida, invite you to dive into a fascinating universe of museums, galleries, and cultural centers that narrate their ancient history and vibrant artistic present. If you are looking for the definitive guide to discover treasures ranging from pre-Hispanic and colonial heritage to contemporary expressions, and which cater to all tastes, this is the essential journey that awaits you.
The Maya Fruit Arboretum in Cholul
Just a few minutes from the hustle and bustle of Mérida, in the community of Cholul (pronounced cho-LOOL), you'll find a place where nature truly thrives: the Maya Fruit Arboretum. Located within the central park, this site has been declared a "Green Heritage" area by the Mérida City Council. It safeguards 43 native Maya fruit trees and seven "Green Heritage Trees," which are recognized for their historical, environmental, and cultural importance. Conceived as a living laboratory, the Arboretum is a sanctuary where science, conservation, and the enjoyment of nature intersect.
The Cholul Arboretum began in 2018 as a citizen initiative driven by local residents who sought to rescue Maya fruit trees at risk of disappearing. While its formal establishment as a public space is recent, its roots go back over thirty years, when Dr. John Ehrenberg and his wife, Perla Coll, started a garden at their home in Cholul to conserve native species and support the community. Today, it is recognized as México's first public garden of native fruit trees, dedicated to preserving biodiversity and raising awareness of its cultural and environmental value.
Walking its paths is a journey through the region's rich plant life: endemic species, fruit trees, and medicinal and ornamental plants that are integral to the daily lives of the Maya people. Every step invites you to pause, observe the variety of leaves and bark, listen to the birdsong, and discover a story tied to the land in every plant. Strategically placed benches offer the perfect spot for quiet contemplation and enjoying the visit with family.
Among its attractions is the collection of native trees, which allows visitors to recognize species often overlooked in the city but are pillars of Yucatán's natural identity. Here you can find trees like the annatto or achiote (ah-chee-OH-teh), used to make the essential red seasoning paste (recado rojo) for cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork); the star apple (caimito); the sapotilla (chicozapote); and other species that were once common in family backyards but are now increasingly scarce. Each specimen features a sign detailing its name, an interesting fact, and its main uses.
Arboretum de Frutales Mayas en Cholul
IG: arboretumcholul
FB: Arboretum Cholul
Open 24 hours
Free admission
The Castro Pacheco Cultural Center
Fernando Castro Pacheco was one of the most prominent visual artists in the modern history of Yucatán. Born in Mérida in 1918, he explored various mediums (painting, sculpture, engraving, illustration, etc.), distinguishing himself from a young age as part of the Mexican Realist School.
Perhaps Castro Pacheco’s most famous works are those displayed in the Governor's Palace (Palacio del Gobernador), which depict various scenes from the history of Yucatán, but they are by no means his only output. That’s why, since 2023, this accomplished artist has had a space entirely dedicated to his work in a prime location in Mérida: the Castro Pacheco Cultural Center, located on the celebrated Paseo de Montejo (Mérida's main historic avenue).
The Center is housed in a building called Villa Amira. This post-Mexican Revolutionary style mansion is notable for its use of local materials. This makes it the perfect setting to exhibit a rotating selection of work by an artist eternally devoted to Yucatán, its people, and its traditions.
Best of all, admission to the Castro Pacheco Cultural Center is completely free. You can visit it from Tuesday to Sunday.
Centro Cultural Fernando Castro Pacheco
Paseo de Montejo x calle 39, Centro, Mérida
Tue. - Sat. 10 am - 8 pm; Sun. 8 am - 5 pm
Free admission
El Pinar House Museum
El Pinar Casa Museo, declared a historical monument of Mérida in 1982, offers a distinct experience compared to other mansions on Paseo de Montejo, giving visitors the feeling of stepping into a house that still retains the atmosphere of having been recently lived in. Built between 1898 and 1904 as a Hampton-style residence in what was then the outskirts of the city, it passed through five different owners before opening its doors to the public as a house museum and event venue in 2022.
Unlike other mansions on the avenue, El Pinar preserves an intimate air, marked by the history of those who lived and worked there. In fact, three of its original staff members still continue in service today, adding a living sense of memory to the house. The last major renovation was carried out in 1987, and much of its essence has been preserved since then, especially in details like the dining room ceiling, considered one of the residence's most authentic elements.
Among its attractions are the artworks that Ermilo Torre Gamboa created specifically for El Pinar, as well as a décor that is reminiscent of iconic sweet shops like Celaya in Mexico City. The tour, guided by a history graduate (by prior reservation), goes beyond the visual: it’s a narrative that mixes anecdotes, social context, and architectural curiosities. It even includes the possibility of visiting the attic, a space rarely open to the public.
El Pinar can be visited Sunday through Friday, with set schedules. Admission costs $200 (Mexican pesos) for adults, $150 for those with an INAPAM senior card (National Institute for Older Persons), and $100 for children aged 4 to 12. More than just a visit, it’s a chance to peer into the splendor and stories that defined daily life on Paseo de Montejo during its golden age.
El Pinar Casa Museo
Calle 60 x 35, Centro
Tel. 999 380 7794
IG: elpinar_merida
FB: El Pinar Mérida
Gran Museo del Mundo Maya: The Great Museum of the Maya World
If you want to immerse yourself in the history, worldview, and living heritage of the Maya through three permanent halls and rotating temporary exhibits, the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya is your next stop. The visit, which can be guided, begins in the hall dedicated to the Yucatán Peninsula. Among impressive pyramid replicas and fascinating artifacts, the exhibit reveals how the Maya understood pyramids as sacred mountains, and how practices like cross-eyes (estrabismo) or skull deformation were symbols of status and devotion to their gods.
Here, you'll find original objects discovered along the Puuc Route (a series of ancient Maya cities), clay figurines from Jaina Island in Campeche that illustrate different social strata, and codices related to the 260-day ritual calendar known as the Tzolkín (pronounced tsol-KEEN). There are also scale models, such as one of the House of the Turtles in Uxmal, which help explain how the Maya built their cities.
The visit continues into the era of the "green gold," when henequén (EH-neh-ken), or sisal, transformed the Yucatán Península into a center of wealth—but also of exploitation. Photographs, documents, and objects in display cases narrate life on the haciendas (plantations), the system of company stores (tiendas de raya), and the industry's eventual collapse with the arrival of plastic in the 1950s. This section also shows how the Maya adapted to the Catholic religion, featuring texts such as the Chilam Balam of Ixil (a collection of Maya historical and prophetic texts).
The final hall is dedicated to the contemporary Maya. Here, you can view embroidered works that depict rituals and traditions passed down through generations, as well as scenes reflecting current daily life in Maya communities. Fernando Castro Pacheco's painting The Three Stages of the Maya is also exhibited, alongside interactive screens that help visitors better understand this legacy. The tour concludes with temporary exhibitions and a small outdoor display, making it clear that Maya culture is still present and constantly evolving.
Gran Museo del Mundo Maya
Calle 60, 299-E, Zona Industrial, Unidad Revolución
www.granmuseodelmundomaya.com.mx
IG: granmuseomaya
FB: Gran Museo del Mundo Maya de Mérida
Wed. – Mon. 8 am – 5 pm
Tickets:
Foreigners: $150 pesos
Mexican Nationals: $100 pesos
Residents of Yucatán: $50 pesos
Children (4-12), students, seniors (with INAPAM card), and teachers: $25 MXN
The “Roger Orellana” Regional Botanical Garden
The “Roger Orellana” Regional Botanical Garden, part of the Yucatán Scientific Research Center (CICY), is a little-known gem that preserves an extensive collection of endemic species and recreates the diverse ecosystems of the peninsula, inviting visitors to discover Yucatán’s natural richness in one place.
Upon entering the reception area, visitors are greeted by a temporary exhibition hall that changes every six months, always offering a fresh perspective on Yucatán's cultural heritage. The current exhibit, for example, is dedicated to traditional embroidery, one of the most beloved expressions of Maya textile art. From there, the experience begins in this 2.5-hectare natural oasis—a refuge for vegetation and wildlife located in the north of Mérida.
One of its most beloved spaces is the replica of a traditional Maya home and its surrounding yard (solar), which revives community daily life with its vegetable patches, fruit trees, and medicinal plants. Nearby is the meliponary (an apiary), home to the stingless melipona bees, guardians of the sacred Maya honey. Thanks to QR codes installed throughout the garden, visitors can access additional information and delve deeper into this fascinating legacy.
Besides exploring on your own, it's possible to schedule guided tours and themed walks, which are ideal for school groups or family outings. The garden also features a nursery, where you can purchase plants to take a little piece of this space home with you.
A special touch is that most of the informational signs are available in Spanish, English, and Maya, allowing more people to understand and appreciate the profound significance of this site. To conclude the visit, the garden offers a cafeteria surrounded by greenery, perfect for resting after the walk.
Undoubtedly, the “Roger Orellana” Regional Botanical Garden is an accessible and perfect place to learn, enjoy, and reconnect with the nature and culture of Yucatán. A final tip: check their social media for upcoming exhibitions and culinary gatherings that are held here.
Jardín Botánico Regional “Roger Orellana”
Calle 49 x 36 y 40, Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida
IG: cicyoficial
FB: CICY - Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán
Mon. – Sat. 8 am – 2 pm
Admission: $10 pesos
The Mérida City Museum
The spacious halls of what was once the Federal Post Office Palace (Palacio Federal de Correos), inaugurated in 1908, have housed the Mérida City Museum since 2007. Prior to this, the museum was located in the former Temple of San Juan de Dios. The three floors of this imposing historic building are dedicated to showcasing the economic, cultural, and artistic development of Mérida over the years.
The first floor takes visitors on a journey through the city's evolution, from its pre-Hispanic beginnings up to the 20th century. Anyone visiting can benefit from this comprehensive overview, learning about the Maya civilization, the changes brought by the Spanish conquest, the founding and original organization of Mérida, the early governments, the henequén boom, and the architectural influences on local buildings.
However, as a lifelong resident of Mérida, the pieces of local memorabilia were what truly captured my interest. Among them, I found a series of cartoons by the famous Gabriel Vicente Gahona “Picheta,” objects belonging to the poet Antonio Mediz Bolio, books by various Yucatecan authors, and even the wig of the comedian Héctor Herrera “Cholo.” Similarly, the brief section on migration in Yucatán felt extremely valuable, highlighting the arrival of numerous Lebanese and Korean families to the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The second and third floors promote contemporary visual arts through temporary exhibitions. When I visited, for example, I enjoyed collections of painting, sculpture, photography, and collage by five different artists. The third floor also houses a bibliographic collection where visitors can consult books and publications related to the city.
Access to the museum is free, and while it's suitable for all ages, I believe it may be more appreciated by an adult audience. Nevertheless, children can benefit from the museum's content through the occasional workshops it offers. To stay informed about upcoming activities, I recommend checking their social media.
Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida
IG: museocdmerida
FB: Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida
Tue. – Fri. 9 am – 6 pm; Sat. and Sun. 9 am – 2 pm
Free admission
Museo de la Luz Mérida (Mérida Museum of Light)
Located in the Gran Parque La Plancha, the Museo de la Luz Mérida is part of the network of entities belonging to the UNAM (National Autonomous University of México) in Yucatán. This museum focuses on various branches of science and hosts temporary exhibitions sourced from major international science museums, such as Universum and the UNAM Science Museum in México City, or the Exploratorium, the "public learning laboratory" in San Francisco, California.
Since 2023, Mérida has had a venue for world-renowned exhibitions, like "Dialogue in the Dark" or "Insects: Extinct and Endangered." At the Museo de la Luz, each of these international features is accompanied by a regional touch, with complementary talks and workshops led by local experts and a variety of events that enrich the visitor's experience.
The Museum of Light's exhibitions typically run for about six months, meaning each visit can be a completely different experience from the last. Furthermore, there are usually two exhibitions running simultaneously, and your admission fee covers all current exhibits. The museum doesn't offer formal guided tours, but the staff is always nearby and happy to chat or point out something you might be missing.
Museo de la Luz
Gran Parque La Plancha: Esquina de la Calle 50 x 43, Centro
Tue. – Sun. 9 am – 1 pm, 4 pm – 8 pm
Admission: $25 – $100 pesos
Museo de los Ferrocarriles: The Railway Museum
Also situated in the Parque de La Plancha is the Museo de los Ferrocarriles de Mérida, a space designed to transport visitors back in time to discover the importance of trains in the history of México, especially in Yucatán. The tour is divided into five halls, each featuring a distinct atmosphere that blends history, original artifacts, and interactive technology.
The first hall marks the entry into the world of the railway: sounds, antique tools, and even a stained-glass window that connects the idea of continuous motion with the Maya worldview. Next, the second hall opens up to national history, showing how trains were integral to major processes like the Mexican Revolution and the nationalization of the railways in 1938. It's impossible not to pause in front of Locomotive 270, a machine manufactured in Philadelphia in 1903 that is still imposing in its size.
The third hall focuses on Yucatán and its relationship with henequén. Locomotive 350, which ran the Mérida-Progreso route, is one of the most impressive pieces, complemented by an immersive videomapping that merges ancient Maya legends with regional history. Further on, the fourth hall recreates the old Mérida Central Station. Inside a second-class carriage, you can experience a 4D simulator, and a hologram even bids you farewell.
The tour concludes with a look to the future: a video wall that explores the potential direction of rail transport in México. Additionally, the museum features a restaurant car, a souvenir shop, and spaces for temporary exhibitions.
The Railway Museum is an unmissable stop if you want to travel through history on rails.
Museo de los Ferrocarriles
Calle 43 #429-C x 46 y 48, Colonia Industrial (dentro del Parque de La Plancha)
IG: museo_de_los_ferrocarriles
FB: Museo de los Ferrocarriles
Tue. – Sat. 10 am – 8 pm / Sun.: 10 am – 6 pm
Admission:
Foreigners: $120 pesos
Mexican Nationals: $80 pesos
Armed Forces Personnel: $60 pesos
Residents of Yucatán: $40 pesos
Students, seniors (with INAPAM card), and teachers: $40 pesos
Locals on Sunday and children under 13: Free
Museo de Modelismo Estático (MUME): Static Model Museum
The Museo de Modelismo Estático (MUME, pronounced MOO-may) opened its doors in November 2023, thanks to the initiative of the Yucatecan Modeling Association, A.C. "Bunker Maya." The space offers a guided tour through three halls that range from fiction to great moments in history, all with the goal of introducing visitors to the creativity and detail behind model making. With a magnifying glass in hand, you'll discover spaces full of unique details that show the history and evolution of the hobby.
The first hall connects visitors to the present through temporary exhibitions, displaying the more creative and fantastical side of modeling. Its most recent exhibit, Warriors, Diverse Worlds, recreates fantasy universes like Star Wars, Dungeons & Dragons, and Warhammer.
Recreating different scenes to scale is no easy task, and that is evident in the complex diorama in the second hall, which took the artist more than two years to create. The model depicts a Mérida from the 1960s and 70s, complete with shops, parks, churches, and streets full of characters. The most surprising detail: the trains move, transporting passengers, making the scene a complete miniature experience.
The great events that have shaped world history are not only narrated in books, paintings, or films—they also come alive through scale models of Mexican Air Force planes, naval ships, and even famous vessels like The Titanic. The third hall transports visitors to World War II and other historical moments, offering a detailed visual experience that makes history tangible right before your eyes.
Furthermore, by the end of this month, as part of their third anniversary, the museum is expected to inaugurate a fourth hall also focused on key historical moments, including a complex model recreating the old "La Plancha" train station.
The MUME is a testament to the dedication of Yucatecan model makers who share their unique pieces and private collections, transforming their passion into something greater. It shows that static model making is not just art in miniature but also a living testimony to history.
Museo de Modelismo Estático (MUME)
Av. Remigio Aguilar #301-A x 30 y 36 Col. Miguel Alemán
IG: mume.yuc
FB: MUME Museo de Modelismo Estático
Tue. and Thu. 11 am – 5 pm; Sat. 10 am – 2 pm
Reservations are essential for a visit
Museo Interactivo del Palacio de la Música: National Center of Mexican Music
The Palacio de la Música is probably one of most beloved stops for both locals and visitors to Mérida. This space functions as an authentic ode to Mexican music. With rooms designed for an interactive experience, it’s easy to lose track of time exploring the different eras of our country’s musical history, whether you are a devoted enthusiast or just curious.
Located on a subterranean level, the museum houses five permanent halls that explore pre-Hispanic musical antecedents, the evolution of instruments, various musical genres, and, of course, the great protagonists: authors, composers, arrangers, and performers. And naturally, since it's in Yucatán, there is an entire area dedicated to regional music. You can even find a hologram of the late master composer Armando Manzanero playing his iconic tunes.
But the Palacio de la Música is more than just a museum: the tour is complemented by a toy library (ludoteca), an area for temporary exhibits, a music library, a research center, and a concert hall. To top it all off, the Palacio de la Música maintains an active schedule of performances by local and international artists, so there is always something new to see or hear.
Tip: Check their social media before you go; you'll likely find a concert or extra activity to round out your visit.
Museo Interactivo del Palacio de la Música (Centro Nacional de la Música Mexicana)
Calle 58, #497 x 59 y 60, Centro
palaciodelamusica.yucatan.gob.mx
FB: Palacio de la Música - Centro Nacional de la Música Mexicana
Wed. – Sun. 10 am – 4 pm
Admission:
Foreigners: $200 pesos
Mexican Nationals: $100 pesos
Residents of Yucatán: $50 pesos
Children (13-17 years): $50 pesos
Children (4-12 years), students, seniors (with INAPAM card), and teachers: $25 pesos
Museo Lara
Located about a block and a half from the Periférico de Mérida (Mérida's beltway), the Museo Lara is the result of the initiative, time, and effort of its owner, Professor Víctor Lara Durán. Originally from the village of Tixkokob (tish-koh-KOHB), a few minutes east of Mérida, Víctor has dedicated over five decades to passionately assembling an extraordinary collection of cultural artifacts that has been part of the state museum network since 2011.
The Museo Lara safeguards more than 2,300 objects distributed across six thematic halls, many of them unique pieces that you are unlikely to see in other venues. What makes this collection special is its community origin: between 35 and 45 percent of the pieces come from donations by Yucatecan families who entrusted their treasures to the museum. In this way, the Museo Lara is a true repository of collective memory.
The founder, a passionate storyteller, personally accompanies every visit, transforming the experience into a unique encounter where the objects come to life through his narratives.
The tour begins in the Tixkokob Hall, with dedicated corners for cinema, military weapons, a library of Yucatecan authors, sports, and music. It continues to the Chapel, where saints from different eras create a space of faith and tradition, before reaching the Juan Ramón Chan Art Gallery (Pinacoteca), which hosts temporary exhibitions that change three or four times a year.
The journey proceeds through halls that showcase daily life from yesteryear: shoes, irons, machinery, and children's toys transport the visitor to another time. The experience culminates in the Maya Hall, where authentic artifacts registered with the INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History) coexist with educational reproductions. This hall also features a small auditorium for book presentations and various cultural activities.
Visiting the Museo Lara is an intimate journey through history, where every piece tells a personal story interwoven with the greater tapestry of Yucatecan culture and beyond.
Museo Lara
Calle 6 x 15 #319, Santa Rita Cholul
Museo Lara en la Red de Museos de Yucatán
FB: MUSEO LARA
Wed. 9 am – 2 pm; groups and school visits on Fridays by prior reservation
Free admission
Museo Regional de Antropología Palacio Cantón: Regional Museum of Anthropology
The Palacio Cantón, home to the Regional Museum of Anthropology, is an imposing sight in the city on its own. A single glance is enough to understand why it earned the nickname "palace," even without considering the treasures it guards inside.
Built at the beginning of the 20th century as the residence of former governor Francisco Cantón Rosado (whose name it still bears), the Palacio Cantón became the Regional Museum of Anthropology of Yucatán in 1966. Until 2012, the Palacio Cantón exhibited various pre-Hispanic artifacts recovered from different archaeological sites in Yucatán. However, with the inauguration of the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, the Palacio Cantón adopted a new focus. Currently, this space typically hosts up to three temporary exhibitions on different themes, always related to the history and culture of our region.
The Regional Museum of Anthropology Palacio Cantón currently features three exhibitions: Ek Chuah, Trade Among the Maya; The Palacio Cantón, Witness to History; and Children of God: Religious Diversity in the Península.
Museo Regional de Antropología de Yucatán, Palacio Cantón
Calle 43 #485 x Paseo de Montejo, Centro
IG: mpalaciocanton
Tue. – Sun. 8 am – 5 pm
Casa de los Venados
Mexican Folk Art
Casa de los Venados, in Valladolid, is an impressive 1700 m² private house/museum that houses the country's largest private collection of Mexican folk art, with over 3000 pieces. The owners, John and Dorianne Venator, spent 10 years renovating this colonial architectural jewel.
Valladolid is experiencing notable tourism growth due to its Historic Center, restaurants, and proximity to Ek Balam. Casa de los Venados has been recognized by national authorities as an important cultural tourism site.
The house benefits the community by opening its doors daily for tours. It has won four architectural awards in the last 15 years. The legacy of the house and its collection are destined for a private foundation to continue benefiting the public.
Tours, offered in English and Spanish, are conducted most days at 10 a.m. (reservations are recommended). A minimum donation of $100 pesos is requested from participants, which goes to local charities, such as the San Lucas Clinic and hearing aid projects.
Casa de los Venados
Calle 40 #204 x 39 y 41, Centro, Valladolid
Tel. 985 856 2289 / 985 105 6904
Donation: $100 pesos
Choco-Story
Choco-Story is the cocoa museum in Yucatán, with locations in Uxmal and Valladolid.
The museum explores the history of cocoa from its use as food and currency by pre-Hispanic peoples to its transformation into modern chocolate.
Choco-Story Uxmal, located on an old hacienda, is a botanical garden and an environmental management unit (UMA) that rescues animal species such as monkeys and jaguars. The tour includes a Mayan ceremony and a tasting of traditional cocoa drink (ideally with sugar, as it is natural and bitter).
Choco-Story Valladolid, conveniently located near the central plaza, is interactive, offering 12 rooms with life-size figures and audio in six languages that narrate the history of cocoa.
Visiting Choco-Story is an experience that combines history, Mayan culture, nature, and, of course, chocolate.
Choco-Story Uxmal
999 289 9914
Choco-Story Valladolid
Calle 40 x 37 y 39, Centro, Valladolid
Yucatán Religious Art Gallery (Galería de Arte Sacro de Yucatán)
The Yucatán Religious Art Gallery is located in the old Convent of San Francisco de Asís in Conkal, 15 km from Mérida. The convent dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries and is guarded by a 300-year-old ceiba tree.
Reopened in 2016, the gallery preserves the history of Franciscan architecture and the Archdiocese of Yucatán. Its seven rooms exhibit objects recovered from ancient churches, telling the history of the region.
Among the most important discoveries are an illustrated catechism used in the evangelization of the Mayas and the original papal bull (papal document) that named the Archdiocese of Yucatán, signed by Pope Pius X.
The guided tour (available in Spanish) reveals fascinating stories about local Catholic icons, such as the Virgin of Izamal and the Christ of the Blisters (Cristo de las Ampollas), and includes the room where the Blessed Sacrament was safeguarded.
The gallery offers night visits (by reservation) for a different experience. It is an essential site for understanding the history and culture of Yucatán.
Galería de Arte Sacro
Calle 20 #14 x 21 y 19, Centro de Conkal (Inside the Convent))
Tue. - Fri., 9 am - 1 pm Sat. - Sun., 9 am - 5 pm
Night visits: Check social media for dates
Admission: $30 pesos
FB: Galería de Arte Sacro de la Arquidiócesis de Yucatán
El Bordado
Los bordados han formado parte esencial del ciclo de vida de la población maya, porque la vida misma, están íntimamente relacionadas con el bordado.
La Guayabera
La guayabera es un tipo de camisa que se caracteriza por estar decorada en frente y espalda con alforza. Nos hemos convertido en verdaderos maestros de su confección.
La Hamaca
Si hay algo que no puede faltar en un hogar yucateco, es la hamaca. A veces nadie sabe cómo llegó ahí: tal vez fue comprada a algún artesano o artesana, o quizá fue tejida por la abuelita, la mamá o alguna tía.
La Miel
Mucho antes de la llegada de la abeja europea, los mayas ya criaban abejas nativas sin aguijón, recolectando una miel sagrada que era usada con fines rituales, medicinales y alimenticios.