Look and you’ll find that no trip to Mexico City (CDMX) can be complete without a visit to the world-famous Museo Nacional de Antropología (“National Museum of Anthropology” in English).
Visiting the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City
The Museo Nacional de Antropología is the largest and most visited museum in Mexico. It houses some of the Mexico’s – and the world’s – most infamous and priceless treasures, chief among which is perhaps the Aztec Sunstone.
The Location:
The Museo Nacional de Antropología is centrally located in CDMX within the boundaries of Chapultepec Park in Mexico City. It is walking distance from the trendy and popular neighborhoods of Polanco, Reforma, La Condesa, and Zona Rosa.
Information: Hours, Rates, Etc.
Entrance to the Museo Nacional de Antropología is $70 MX Pesos (about $3.75 US). Note the museum is closed on Mondays.
The Museum Entrance: Through the Park
Entrance through the park
This guy guards the front door
The “Paraguas” Courtyard:
The “Paragus” Courtyard
The “Umbrella” courtyard
Museum Walking Maps:
The Museo Nacional de Antropología is layed out in a horseshoe shape with a ground floor and an upper floor. And it is large – very large. Some galleries, such as the “Mexica” are huge. Like the Louvre in Paris, you could easily spend a couple of days here.
Beginning at Gallery 1 on the ground floor, the museum meanders in a counter-clockwise path.
Map of the Ground Floor
Map of the Upper Floor
The Galleries, Exhibitions, and Displays of the Museo Nacional de Antropología:
The one minor complaint I would have of the Museo Nacional de Antropología is that most displays do not have an English translation. This is surprising because a common English translation seems to be somewhat of a standard in most apex museums of the world.
Nevertheless, for some things no translation is necessary:
Final Thoughts on Visiting the Museo Nacional de Antropología:
The Museo Nacional de Antropología is a “must-do” when visiting Mexico City. You’ll find it on most, if not all, “Top 10 things to do in CDMX” lists, and for good reason. It is an incredible place that tells a story of humankind through timeless artwork.
Did I mention the museum is huge? I would say, if you were in a hurry you could cover just the main exhibits and displays in a half-day if you really hustled through it, but I wouldn’t recommend doing that.
Cheers!
