Top Museums in Mérida for Your Next Trip

Mérida, Mexico — The capital of Yucatán is often imagined through its embracing morning heat, the freshness of a chaya water, and the intense flavors overflowing in every dish. However, this city offers much more than its climate and gastronomy; it is a place where history and art mix to create experiences that awaken all the senses. The museums in Mérida reflect this diversity: some take you to the ancient past with ancestral pieces, while others surprise you with contemporary art or interactive exhibits. These spaces are a mandatory stop for both curious travelers and locals.

A Note on These Museums in Mérida

Gran Museo del Mundo Maya

Here begins a journey to the heart of one of the most fascinating civilizations on the planet. The building, inspired by the sacred ceiba tree, is a work of art in itself. Inside, more than a thousand pieces tell the history of a people who remain alive in customs, language, and traditions. One of its most impactful rooms is dedicated to the Chicxulub asteroid, which millions of years ago changed the course of life on Earth. For those seeking immersive experiences, the Mayamax room offers projections that turn history into a spectacle. It is one of the museums you cannot miss.

Location: Calle 60 Norte No. 299 E, Unidad Revolución, Mérida, Yucatán.
Cost: 100 MXN for nationals, 150 MXN for foreigners; free admission for locals on Sundays.
Website: granmuseodelmundomaya.com.mx

Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida

Housed in the old Federal Post Office building, an elegant structure from the early 20th century, this is one of the museums in Mérida that is like stepping into a book about the history of the Yucatecan capital. Its rooms take you from pre-Hispanic Mérida to the colonial era and, especially, to a key period that transformed the region: the henequen boom, the plant that made Yucatán famous and filled the landscape. Here you can discover archaeological pieces, portraits, documents, and furniture that tell how the city evolved and built its identity. Furthermore, temporary photography and contemporary art exhibitions provide a fresh touch that makes each visit different.

Location: Calle 56 núm. 529 A, Centro Histórico.
Admission: Free.
Instagram: @museocdmerida

Museo de la Luz

Imagine discovering a space where light is the protagonist. In this museum, created by UNAM, science becomes an interactive experience that awakens curiosity and surprises both children and adults alike. Here you can touch, experiment, and marvel at optical phenomena, vibrant colors, and projections that seem like magic. As in other museums in Mérida, each visit is full of surprises and its temporary exhibitions are constantly renewed, inviting you to see light from a new perspective.

Location: Calle 50 419B, Centro.
Cost: 70 MXN for nationals and 100 MXN for foreigners; free admission for everyone on Tuesdays.
Website: museodelaluz.unam.mx

Pinacoteca Juan Gamboa Guzmán

This is one of the museums located in the heart of Mérida's historic center. Like a true hidden treasure, it is installed in an old viceregal building that was a Jesuit college and public library, and it maintains an intimate atmosphere full of history. Its rooms bring together works spanning from the viceregal period to 20th-century art, with special attention to Juan Gamboa Guzmán, one of Yucatán's most prominent painters. Here you can admire portraits that tell stories, everyday scenes full of color, and sculptures that celebrate Mayan identity. It is an ideal space for those who enjoy art as a way to connect with culture.

Location: Calle 59 Diagonal, Parque Santa Lucía, Centro.
Cost: 75 MXN; free admission for Mexicans on Sundays.
Website: lugares.inah.gob.mx

Palacio de la Música Mexicana

In the heart of Mérida's Historic Center, the Palacio de la Música Mexicana is a vibrant tribute to Mexico's sonic richness. Its five rooms — Antecedents, Musical Cultures, Music in the Media, Protagonists of Music, and Conformation and Musical Expansion — immerse you in over a thousand hours of music, history, and sound traditions. During your visit you can take a workshop, enjoy a concert, and even meet Trova Palacio, the supervising dog of Emotional Harmony and Musical Experiences, who adds a unique touch to your visit.

Location: Calle 59 núm. 497, between 58 and 60, Centro Histórico.
Cost: 100 MXN for nationals; 50 MXN for residents of Yucatán.
Instagram: @palaciodelamusicacnmm

Discover Mérida from Another Angle

Visiting the museums in Mérida means immersing yourself in stories, art, and science. Rooms that awaken curiosity at every step. Spaces that invite you to get to know the city in an authentic and memorable way. If you are looking for a different plan during your stay, you cannot miss these places.