Whether you’re into art, history, architecture, or something a little more whimsical, you’ll find plenty of museums in Puerto Rico worth visiting.
I’m a Puerto Rico local and an avid culture enthusiast, so I love hunting down museums and learning more about what makes the island tick. In fact, Puerto Rico is a small island with a rich history that dates back to pre-Columbian times, so there are lots to learn!
In this article, I’ll list the top Puerto Rico museums you can’t miss, some of which even made it to my best activities to do in Puerto Rico list.
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23 Best Puerto Rico Museums
Museo Las Américas
A history museum with four exhibitions about the American continent.
📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $6 Adults, $4 Children under 12 | 🕕 Hours: 9 am – 4 pm, Wed-Fri, 11- 4 pm Sat-Sun, Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Museo Las Américas is located inside the Cuartel de Ballajá building, a former Spanish soldier barracks and a famous San Juan attraction.
The museum was founded in 1992 and aims to explore and tell the American continent’s and Caribbean rich history.
Museo de Las Americas sports four permanent exhibitions about the popular arts, the African heritage, and the colonization of America.
Besides the permanent exhibitions, the museum hosts creative workshops, conferences, and live presentations.
Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico
A museum with unconventional and contemporary art .
📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $8, $3 Children under 5 | 🕕 Hours: 11 am – 5 pm, Wed-Sun
If Victorian paintings and baroque art aren’t up your alley, then the Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico is for you.
What was once a two-floor public school is now one of the best museums in San Juan which hosts a permanent art collection dating from the mid-20th century to the present.
It features art from the Caribbean, Latin America, and Puerto Rico. The exhibits include pieces from renowned artists like Carmelo Sobrino, Myrna Baez, and Olga Albizú.
Museo de Arte de Ponce
One of the most impressive private collections in the Western Hemisphere.
📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $6 Adults, $3 Children under 12 | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 3 pm Friday, Closed the rest of the week
The Ponce Art Museum features a vast collection of European art from the 14th to the 20th centuries, including Italian Baroque, Spanish Golden Age, and British Pre-Raphaelite pieces.
The museum also exhibits Latin American and Puerto Rican art from as early as the 18th century. This last collection includes world-wide renown pieces such as Flaming June, painted by Frederic Leighton.
Museo de Arte de Ponce is a must-visit attraction in Ponce for art lovers who shouldn’t miss the extensive art collection of over four thousand pieces.
👉 Local Tip: As of Spring 2024, some areas of the Ponce Art Museum are still under renovation after the 2020 earthquakes and are off-limits to visitors.
Casa Blanca
The oldest house in Old San Juan.
📍 Google Maps | 🎫 Cost: $5 | 🕕 Hours: 8:30 am – 11:45 am & 1 – 4 pm, Wed-Sun, Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Built in 1521 and considered the oldest house in Old San Juan, Casa Blanca is a museum with artifacts and furniture from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Casa Blanca was meant to be the house of Juan Ponce de Leon, Puerto Rico’s first governor. The property boasts a beautiful garden, as well as amazing views of San Juan.
This museum is one of San Juan’s landmarks you can enjoy without the crowd.
El Cemí Museum
Enter a giant-shaped Cemí to learn about the Taino.
📍 Google Maps | 🎫 Cost: $1 | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 12 pm & 1 pm – 3 pm daily
Although it’s off the beaten path and hidden in the Puerto Rico mountains, El Cemi Museum is worth the visit if you want to learn about the Taino history in Puerto Rico.
El Cemi Museum is located in Jayuya and attracts people because of its unique Cemi shape, which is a sculpture that the Taino believed to hold a deity or spiritual being.
The Museum displays multiple artifacts from the pre-Columbian era that allow you to understand the Taino lifestyle and beliefs.
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
Explore a museum with four centuries of Puerto Rican art.
📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $12 Adults, $5 Children under 6 | 🕕 Hours: 11 am – 5 pm, Wed-Sun
San Juan’s Santurce neighborhood is home to multiple art museums including the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico which has over 20 galleries.
Its permanent collection, called Puerto Rico Plural, consists of more than 250 pieces, including paintings and sculptures from Puerto Rican artists from the 17th century to the present.
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico also boasts beautiful gardens and an interactive room that’s great for kids if you’re taking a Puerto Rico family vacation.
Museo de Arte de Bayamón
Tour a small museum with a great collection of Puerto Rican art.
📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: free | 🕕 Hours: 8:30 am – 5 pm, Tues-Sat, Closed Sundays and Mondays
Hidden inside El Parque de las Ciencias, Bayamon’s Art Museum is one of the best attractions in Bayamon.
Although small, this museum boasts multiple exhibition halls that follow the different trends of Puerto Rican art, as well as its beginnings. It’s perfect for those who want a quick and organized introduction to Puerto Rico’s art.
Museo de Arte de Bayamón hosts works from famous Puerto Rican artists such as José Campeche, Lorenzo Homar, and Antonio Martorell.
Fortín del Conde Mirasol
Both a fort and a museum with Vieques history.
📍 Google Maps | 🎫 Cost: free | 🕕 Hours: 8 am – 4 pm, Wed-Sun, Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Fortín del Conde Mirasol is a 19th-century fort that now hosts the Vieques Museum of Art and History.
Considered one of the best places to visit in Vieques for its rich history and great views of the Isabel II town, Fortín del Conde Mirasol’s current exhibition includes artifacts, photographs, newspapers, and posters.
It’s a great starting point to learn about the protests against the occupation of the United States military in Vieques.
👉 Local Tip: Many museums in Puerto Rico close during lunch hours. If you’re visiting between 12 and 1 pm, you may find locations closed.
Museo Castillo Serrallés
Stroll through a historical mansion with a garden.
📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $15 | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Wed- Sun, Closes Mondays & Tuesdays
The Castillo Serrallés Museum building was originally the house of the Serrallés family, creators of Rum Don Q.
The house allows visitors to take a look into the Serralles family life, and learn about the Puerto Rican culture in the early 1900s.
Artifacts like gold dining ware, original furniture, and a Spanish-revival mansion with more than four floors will enchant history lovers.
The museum is across other Ponce famous sites, the Japanese Garden and La Cruceta del Vigía.
Parque de Bombas
Explore a quaint museum in Ponce’s town square.
📍 Google Maps | 🎫 Cost: Free | 🕕 Hours: 8 am – 5 pm, Mon-Fri, 9 am – 5 pm, Sat-Sun
If you love unique-looking structures, then you can’t miss a visit to Parque de Bombas in Ponce.
Although small, Parque de Bombas attracts international visitors to Ponce for its unique facade and history. This firehouse built in 1882 was the first firefighters’ station in Puerto Rico.
Parque de Bombas was in service for 108 years until 1990 when it became a museum for the firefighting history of Ponce and Puerto Rico.
👉 Local Tip: As of Spring 2024, Parque de Bombas is under renovation.
Museo Histórico de Culebra “El Polvorín”
Learn about the history beyond Culebra’s beautiful beaches.
📍 Google Maps | 🎫 Cost: Free | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 3 pm, Fri-Sun
Museo Histórico de Culebra “El Polvorín” is a small museum located in Culebra. Although not as popular as other Culebra attractions, Museo Histórico de Culebra deserves a stop if you’re interested in learning about the island’s history.
The exhibit includes vintage pictures of Culebra, information about the military occupation, and Taíno artifacts found on the island.
You’ll also get to learn about the turtle conservation efforts by local non-profit organizations.
Museo de Arte de Caguas (MUAC)
Admire unique pieces from Caguas’ artists.
📍 Google Maps | 🎫 Cost: f$2| 🕕 Hours: 9 am – 5 pm, Tues-Sat
Located in Caguas’ downtown, Cagua’s Art Museum (MUAC) is a small two-floor museum with both permanent and temporary exhibitions.
The museum honors the work and legacy of local Caguas artists, exhibiting multiple of their pieces on the site. Inside the MUAC you’ll find sculptures and paintings.
Keep up with their social media to learn about workshops and upcoming events.
Porta Coeli
Visit one of the oldest churches on the American continent.
📍 Google Maps | 🎫 Cost: $5 Adults, $3 Children | 🕕 Hours: 8:30 am – 11:40 am & 1 pm – 4 pm, Wed-Sun, Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Porta Coeli is located in the city of San Germán and it’s the oldest church in Puerto Rico, the United States, and one of the oldest in America.
Originally a convent built in 1609, the building is now a religious museum with artifacts from the 16th to the 19th centuries, including wood carvings and paintings.
The building itself is registered in the National Register of Historic Places and it features a Spanish Romanesque style that will delight any history enthusiast.
Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Park
Learn about the Taíno in this 2-in-1 museum and archeological site.
📍 Google Maps | 🎫 Cost: Free | 🕕 Hours: 9 am – 3 pm, Wed-Sat
The Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Park is an indigenous archeological site in Ponce. Hidden in the mountainous side of the city, this park has a museum explaining the origin of the Taíno and their predecessors.
An exhibition of artifacts found on site along with illustrations helps visitors to understand Taíno traditions, customs, and lifestyle. Next to the museum, you’ll find a botanical garden and the Tibes archeological site, with multiple Taíno courtyards known as bateyes.
Casa y Museo Cautiño
Tour the enchanting interiors of a 19th-century house in Guayama.
📍 Google Maps | 🎫 Cost: Free | 🕕 Hours: 9 – 11:45 am & 1 – 4:30 pm Mon-Sat
Located in Guayama, Museo Cautiño showcases the lifestyle of Puerto Rico in the 19th century. The house has original furniture and art pieces that belonged to the Cautiño family, an important family in Guayama’s history.
The museum exhibits mesmerizing architecture in a combination of both neoclassic and Creole styles that history enthusiasts will love.
Museo de San Juan
Navigate an old marketplace and find relics and art pieces illustrating Puerto Rico’s history.
📍 Google Maps | 🎫 Cost: free | 🕕 Hours: 9 am – 12 pm & 1 pm – 4 pm Wed-Sat, 9 am – 12 pm & 1 pm – 5 pm Sunday, Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Museo de San Juan is an art and history museum across El Morro.
Nestled in what was once a marketplace, this museum has important relics from Puerto Rico’s Spanish colonial period, religious artifacts, and art pieces.
The temporary exhibitions often include international pieces from renowned artists like Goya and Salvador Dalí.
Museo del Niño
Be a kid for a day in this interactive and fun museum with science-themed exhibitions.
📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $10 Adults, $6 Children under 14 | 🕕 Hours: 9 am – 5 pm, Fri-Sun, closed from Monday to Thursday
Museo del Niño is a kid-friendly museum located in Carolina. Considered one of the top activities in Carolina, Museo del Niño is a great stop if you’re visiting Puerto Rico with kids.
The facilities include science-theme exhibitions, go-karts, and a mini-zoo. You can also take a boat ride in Canal Blasina, located next to the museum.
Museo de la Historia del Ferrocarril
Learn about the history of trains and railroads in Puerto Rico.
📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $10 Adults, $6 Children under 14 | 🕕 Hours: 9 am – 5 pm, Fri-Sun, closed from Monday to Thursday
Puerto Rico used to have an extensive railroad network that covered most of the archipelago. Although not much is left, you can learn about it at Museo de la Historia del Ferrocarril.
This museum, located in Isabela, has multiple locomotives that operated in the 19th century on the island. If you love history, you’ll also enjoy the maps, pictures, and collectibles on site.
MADMi
Get curious about industrial design and the lifestyle of Puerto Ricans from the 1900s.
📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $5, Adults, $3 Children under 3 | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tues-Sat, closed on Sundays and Mondays
Museo de Diseño de Miramar, also known as MADMi, highlights the avant-garde and industrial designs behind common daily objects of the 20th century in Puerto Rico.
The permanent collection includes furniture, drawings, sculptures, and paintings. Although unusual, this colorful museum is worth a stop if you want to learn about Puerto Rico’s middle class during the 1900s.
Museo del Café de Puerto Rico
Admire curious and vintage coffee-related artifacts at this Ciales museum.
📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: free | 🕕 Hours: 8 am – 3 pm, Thurs-Fri & 8 am – 5 pm Sat-Sun, closed from Monday to Wednesday
Museo del Café in Ciales is a small coffee-themed one-room museum filled with memorabilia and coffee grinders.
While not exactly a typical museum, Museo del Café de Puerto Rico is a great addition to your itinerary if you’re touring Puerto Rico coffee farms and coffee shops. Finish your visit with a coffee cup at the next-door coffee shop.
Museo de la Hamaca
Find the history and details of hammock making in this San Sebastián museum.
📍 Google Maps | 🎫 Cost: free | 🕕 Hours: 11 am – 4 pm, Thurs-Sun, closed from Monday to Wednesday
Museo de la Hamaca is a San Sebastián museum dedicated to the art of hammock making with Maguey, a type of agave plant.
The museum exhibits multiple types of hammocks, posters, and tools used for making hammocks. Visit in early July to catch Festival de la Hamaca, a popular Puerto Rico festival, and buy a hammock to take home.
Museo de Historia de San Germán
Immerse in the history behind the foundation and formation of the west coast of Puerto Rico.
📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: free | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 3 pm, Wed-Sun, closed from Mondays and Tuesdays
Museo de Historia de San Germán has multiple exhibitions that recount the history of Villa de San Germán, the settlement the Spaniards established on Puerto Rico’s west coast.
In the multiple exhibition rooms, you’ll find pre-Columbian relics, coins, maps, crafts, and a timeline depicting the town’s evolution.
Museo Casa Canales
Tour the home of a Puerto Rican family of politicians, writers, and revolutionaries.
📍 Google Maps | 🎫 Cost: $1 | 🕕 Hours: 8 am – 12 pm & 1 pm – 3 pm daily
Located next to Museo del Cemí in Jayuya, Museo Casa Canales is filled with furniture and memorabilia from the 19th century. It’s ideal to learn about local history and politics in Puerto Rico.
The house originally belonged to the Canales family, a family of writers, activists, and politicians. Some rooms have original furniture and recreate the lifestyle of the early 20th century.
Other rooms have pre-Columbian artifacts, information about Jayuya, and mementos of the revolution.
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FAQs About Museums in Puerto Rico
Are there any free museums in Puerto Rico?
There are many free museums in Puerto Rico that visitors on a budget can enjoy. The best free museums in Puerto Rico include Parque de Bombas,Fortín del Conde Mirasol,Museo de Arte de Ponce,Museo de Arte de Caguas, and Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Park.
What are the best museums in Puerto Rico for children?
The best museums in Puerto Rico for children are Museo del Niño in Carolina, Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico in Santurce, C3tec in Caguas, and El Museo del Café in Ciales.
What are the best museums in Puerto Rico for adults?
The best museums in Puerto Rico for adults include Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico,Museo de San Juan,Museo de Arte Contemporáneo,Museo de Arte de Ponce, and Castillo Serrallés.
What is the best museum in Puerto Rico to learn about the Taino?
The best museums in Puerto Rico to learn about the Taíno in Puerto Rico include El Cemí Museum,Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Park,Museo de Caguas, and Museo de las Américas.
What are the best history museums in Puerto Rico?
The best history museums in Puerto Rico include Museo Casa Cautiño,Museo de las Américas,Museo Casa Blanca, Museo de la Historia de Ponce, Museo de Caguas,Museo Histórico de Culebra “El Polvorín”, Museum of Historical Resources of Lares, and Fortín del Conde Mirasol in Vieques.
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Visiting Puerto Rico’s best museums is something you can’t miss as a culture lover. To add more fun to your itinerary, check out these popular places to visit in Puerto Rico.
Have fun exploring museums in Puerto Rico!
