Popol Vuh Museum (Museo Popol Vuh)
The Basics
Visitors to the museum can expect to see a varied collection within its small rooms, including stone sculptures, pottery and the Lord Bat sculpture. The museum is known for its ceramic collection, which is arguably the best in the country. Of special note are the collections of funeral urns and whistles.
Half-day tours tack on a visit to Museo Ixchel del Traje Indigena to see a cast collection of Mayan textiles from indigenous communities from all over the country. Full-day tours cover the rich history of the city while visiting its top attractions such as Constitution Square, Centenary Park, Metropolitan Cathedral, and Plaza Mayor.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Museo Popul Vuh is an ideal spot for history buffs interested in pre-Columbian and Mayan history and culture.
- Don’t forget your camera, though there is an additional charge for photography inside the museum.
- Tour guides are available at the entrance.
- The museum is not suited for children below 10.
- The facility is wheelchair accessible.
Trip ideas
How to Get There
Museo Popol Vuh is located within the campus of Universidad Franco Marroquin in Zone 10, Guatemala City. From Sexta Avenida, walk a few minutes downhill. Buses 101, 82 and 63 will drop you at the corner of 6th Street and La Reforma. From there, walk about five minutes to the entrance.
When to Get There
Popol Vuh Museum is open Monday through Friday, generally from 9am to 5pm. On Saturdays, the museum closes at 1pm. Come on a weekday morning to beat the crowds. Pleasant weather makes Guatemala City a nice place to visit any time of the year. Peak season coincides with the drier season, from November to May.
The Galleries
Chronologically organized, the museum's seven galleries exhibit objects from the seven eras, namely Paleoindian, Archain, Pre-classic, Early-classic, Late-classic, Post-classic, and Colonial. The largest and most impressive gallery is devoted to the Classic period where various exhibits indicate a massive Teotihuacan influence on the Mayan art, as demonstrated through decorative cylindrical tripods, incense holders, and a variety of multicolored ceramics.
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- La Aurora Zoo (Zoólogico la Aurora)
- National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (MUNAE)
- Iglesia de Santo Domingo
- National Palace
- Plaza de la Constitución (Parque Central)
- Relief Map (Mapa en Relieve)
- IRTRA Mundo Petapa
- Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana)
- Mixco Viejo
- Biotopo del Quetzal
- Santo Tomas Church (Iglesia de Santo Tomás)
- Quiriguá