National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Guatemala City

The National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology offers a deep dive into Mayan civilization and the diverse cultures of Guatemala’s indigenous peoples. Founded in 1898 and relocated to its current finca-style building in 1946, the museum holds an impressive collection of over 20,000 archaeological items and approximately 5,000 ethnographic objects.

Visitors enter through an arched gateway into a central courtyard filled with tropical greenery and anchored by a colonial-era fountain. Here, towering stone stelae, altars, and sculpted panels give an introduction to the artistry of the Classic Maya period. Inside, ten exhibition halls guide guests chronologically through Guatemala’s ancient past-from the earliest hunter-gatherer societies to the Preclassic, Classic, and Postclassic eras-before transitioning into displays that celebrate present-day indigenous textile and cultural traditions.

Among the highlights are jade ornaments, painted ceramics, ceremonial masks, and ritual tools, as well as a wide array of traditional clothing and regional textiles. The museum stands as the country’s most comprehensive repository of Maya heritage. Many of its displays include bilingual signage and multimedia elements, providing an informative and accessible experience for both local and international audiences.