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Most people visit Cancun for the white sand beaches, top-notch all-inclusive resorts, nature, water sports, and Mayan ruins but there are 5 must-see museums in Cancun that are well worth checking out too. Each of these museums allows visitors to explore a different part of history and culture in the area and provide a great learning experience. While visiting museums isn’t the first thing you might think of when planning a trip to Cancun, there is something to be said for learning more about this popular vacation destination and its surroundings.
Mayan Museum of Cancun
As mentioned above one of the reasons people visit Cancun is due to the close proximity of all the Mayan ruins but if you don’t have time for that you can explore Mayan history and culture without going very far. The Mayan Museum of Cancun is located conveniently right in the Hotel Zone and features approximately 400 ancient artifacts from different periods, some from the state of Quintana Roo, which is the state Cancun is in. Not only can you see artifacts but there are actual ruins onsite as well. Museum admission is only $8 and it’s open every day, except for Monday, from 9 am – 6 pm.
Prehistoric Museum at Parque Dos Ojos
The Prehistoric Museum at Parque Dos Ojos is located between Cancun and Tulum and is worth the trip for those interested in prehistoric artifacts. It features fossilized remains of animals dating back to the Ice Age and evidence of the first people to inhabit the Americas. The museum is open every day from 10 am – 4 pm and admission is only $2.50, and well worth the price.
Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA)
The Underwater Museum of Art offers one of the most unique museum experiences you will ever have but you’ll have to see it by boat, or for an even more immersive experience, by snorkeling or scuba diving. It’s located near Isla Mujeres so you will have to catch the ferry to the island, which takes about 15 minutes. The museum is completely underwater and features a total of 500 sculptures that are fully submerged. The cost to see the museum by glass bottom boat is $47 and for the boat tour and snorkeling it’s $70. Scuba diving prices vary from $90 and up.
Mexican Folk Art Museum
The Mexican Folk Art Museum is located in the very popular Xcaret Park located in Cancun so it’s a great option for those that don’t want to travel far. It features all kinds of Mexican folk art, including a huge collection of Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, inspired dolls, which is what many people visit for. The museum is open from 9 am – 7 pm on weekdays and from 11 am – 7 pm on weekends.
Ka’ Yok’ Planetarium and Observatory
The last museum on our list isn’t a museum per se but certainly deserves mentioning. The Ka’ Yok’ Planetarium and Observatory is located right in Cancun and features a small science museum in addition to the observatory and planetarium. At the observatory, visitors can look through a telescope that protects the eyes to see the sun, and the planetarium has a 360-degree digital dome. On Thursdays the museum hosts “astronomical evenings” that allow visitors to observe the moon, planets, and the galaxy. Entry into the museum is less than $3 and it is open Monday – Wednesday and Friday from 9 am – 7 pm, Thursday from 9 am – 10 pm, and Saturday from 11 am – 7 pm.
Anyone who visits Cancun is going to want to spend a lot of time on the beaches. But when it’s time for a break these museums are a great way to spend your time. Not only will you learn about Mexican culture and history but at some you will have the opportunity to see things you won’t see anywhere else.
Cancun is so popular because it is a breathtaking Caribbean paradise but there is so much more to the city and the surrounding areas. By taking time to explore more of it, visitors can truly appreciate this much-loved Mexican vacation destination for all that it has to offer.
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