The Gran Museo del Mundo Maya (or Grand Museum of the Mayan World) is a large museum dedicated to everything involved with Mayan culture from past to present. The museum is one of the highlights to the city of Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán state in southeast México.
The building is considered an architectural wonder and is a worthy stop, if not for the exhibits, then solely to see the artistic building. It was designed as a modern representation of a giant Ceiba Tree, a sacred tree to the Mayan people and important to their world view.
The Gran Museo del Mundo Maya was inaugurated on two separate occasions the year it opened in 2012. The first was September 24, by President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa with the latter, on December 21st by the new President Enrique Peña Nieto. The museum officially opened to the public after the second inauguration. December 21st of 2012 was especially important to Mayan culture as the date aligned with the end of the long count according to the Mayan calendar. This made it the perfect day for the official ceremony.
The museum houses four permanent exhibition halls and two rotating temporary halls, with every exhibit located on the first floor. The path winds in and out of four themed halls, directing visitors through the museum from start to finish. The first exhibit is “The Mayab, Nature, and Culture” and leads directly into “Today’s Maya” continuing to zig and zag through “Yesterday’s Maya” finally finishing in “Ancestral Maya”.
Each section focuses on an important aspect of Mayan culture. It begins in the present and moves backwards through time as visitors progress through the museum. Gran Museo del Mundo Maya teaches important context and provides strong background information about each incredible archeological site scattered around the Yucatán Peninsula.
The entrance fee of 170 MXN is a little steep when compared with other museums throughout Mexico. The name and reputation of the museum leaves visitors with high expectations. I arrived with the same lofty expectations but found myself a little disappointed. I planned for a four-to-five-hour visit; I read every sign, interacted with every open display, and yet I still found myself back at the entrance in two hours. The museum is completely trilingual, so if you are concerned about not being able to speak, read, or comprehend Spanish and have all those boxes checked in English, then do not be concerned. Everything is presented in English, Mayan, and Spanish.
Hours of operation are between 8 am and 5 pm. However, on weekend nights (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) beginning at 830 pm, there is an outdoor sound and light show that is based on Mayan themes. The show is projected on the exterior of the building with 34 changing screens, making it the largest show of this nature in Latin America.
Getting here is straightforward with a couple of options to choose from. Taxis are the easiest and most expensive but take the least amount of thinking. Just wave one down and tell the driver the name of the museum or give them the address: Calle 60 Norte, Mérida, Yucatán 97110. During the time of my visit in December 2021, a Taxi cost 100-120 MXN for a solo traveler. However, with a group of four that price came down significantly. With some negotiation skills, a group taxi should cost 60-70 MXN per person.
If you’re looking for the most cost-effective route, then a bus will be the right choice! Find any of the bus stops on Calle 60, near Paseo de Montejo, and jump on for 12 MXN. Be sure to pay attention, so you don’t miss the stop for the museum. If you’re unsure just ask the driver. They’re almost always happy to help point someone in the right direction.
I really enjoyed my stroll through this museum. I gained a lot of background information I would not have known otherwise. As I mentioned above, I left a little disappointed but was generally satisfied that I had stopped in. I really enjoyed the first three exhibitions, especially the one that covered the present-day Mayans and the struggles they experience in the modern world.
I don’t believe I would return for a second time, but that could change as new exhibits and discoveries around the Yucatán are made. This is an excellent stop for any history buff and an even better place to bring the kids. There are plenty of interactive exhibits that help teach about the Mayan world. If you’re making a journey through Mérida, then do yourself a favor and take a few hours out of your day for this wonderful learning experience.
Quick Notes:
- Address – Calle 60 Norte, Mérida, Yucatán 97110 México
- Phone Number – +52 (999)341-0430
- Hours – 8 am to 5 pm Wednesday-Sunday
- Weekend Light & Sound Show – Free Friday-Sunday @ 830pm
- Entrance Fee – 170 MXN
- Bus Fee – 12 MXN
- Taxi for one – 100-120 MXN
- Taxi for four – 60-70 MXN per person
- Trilingual – English, Mayan, Spanish
