The National Museum of Anthropology is Mexico’s most-visited museum. And it’s easy to see why. It has a vast array of exhibits related to Mesoamerica’s cultural history. And it is a region with an exceptionally rich cultural history.
It’s not just about Aztecs and Incas, although there’s an abundance of artifacts from each. But there’s much more than that. There are exhibits on temples of Teotihuacan as well as everyday life in villages in Mexico’s diverse regions. And while the emphasis is squarely on the region’s pre-Columbian history, there are also sections that focus on how cultural heritage as survived in regional areas today.
And then, of course, there are the famous highlights like the imposing and much-misinterpreted Stone of the Sun, which was long known as the Aztec Calendar but is now believed to be what is known as a temalacatl, a stage for sacrificial gladiatorial fights.
What it might lack in the latest whizz-bang museum innovations it more than makes up for with fascinating artifacts. It all makes for an incredibly impressive museum that surely ranks among the world’s best–a place where it’s very easy to spend several hours wandering through the various diverse exhibits.
Photos of Mexico’s National Museum of Anthropology
In the background is the Stone of the Sun (Aztec Calendar Stone). [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
The main courtyard is partially shaded by a massive solid umbrella. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
The main entrance. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
A replica Aztec Temple. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Stone of the Sun (Aztec Calendar Stone). [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Huehuetéotl (God of Fire) Dios Viejo (Old God). [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Aztec carvings. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Ceremonial masks. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Teotihuacan Exhibit. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Woven textiles. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
A large Tree of Life (Árbol de la vida). [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
The outside of one of the main buildings. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
A fish sculpture in front of the wetlands pond in the main courtyard. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Aztec temple. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Stone of the Sun (Aztec Calendar Stone) in the background, with other stone sculptures in the foreground. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Chiapas carvings. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
A replica Maya temple in an exhibit outside. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Maya temple. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Maya temple exhibit. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Pakal the Great Sarcophagus. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Culture of Guerrero exhibit. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
A large tomb exhibit. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Dios de la Muerte (God of Death) sculpture in the Maya exhibit. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Exhibit on Cultural History of Chililico, Hidalgo. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Huehuetéotl (God of Fire). [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Seri Cultural artifacts. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Colossal head made of stone. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Traditional weaving looms from Tlaxcala. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Mosaic of the Jaguar in the Maya outdoor exhibit. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Maya building. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Oaxaca exhibit. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Cave paintings. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Masks. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Cabeza Colossal Head. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Weaving looms. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Paquime home. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
Pottery. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
[license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
A mural in the main foyer. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
The main foyer. [license topic=”National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City”]
What to Know Before You Go
- This is a large and fascinating museum. Budget several hours to get a proper appreciation for its depth and scope. You can wander around at your own pace, and it can absorb a huge number of visitors before it feels crowded.
- Food options are limited. There is a cafe on site, but it’s not the most expansive. A better bet is to head across the street, the Paseo de la Reforma, to the sprawling Bosque de Chapultepec, where you’ll find anything from sit-down cafes to food carts.
- You’ll have to check bags. The bag/coat check is on the left-hand side of the main foyer, next to the gift shop.
Where to Next?
Travel Advice for Mexico
You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Mexico (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.
The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Mexico here and the Australian Government's here.
Health & Vaccinations
The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Mexico here.
Guidebooks for Mexico
If you're looking for a guidebook to make the most of your visit, these are some of the most popular ones currently for Mexico. Some are available in both paper and e-book formats.
- Sainsbury, Brendan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- DK Eyewitness (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Guides, Rough (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Milne, Madeline (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Travel Insurance For Your Trip to Mexico
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These are some good places to shop for travel insurance for your next trip to Mexico :
Hopefully, you won't need it, but if something goes wrong, you'll sure be glad you have it!
