The Museum of Mayan Culture

The Museum of Mayan Culture, the biggest Maya museum in the Riviera Maya, is located in Chetumal. It has three stories and there is a Sacred Ceiba Tree that actually goes up all three stories. This tree had a special meaning for the ancient Maya.

World trees are not unusual in mythical cosmologies, and for the Maya, this tree was how they represented many of their beliefs. In the simplest terms, the upper part of the tree represented the heavens, the middle part the earth, and the lower part the underworld, or Xibalba.

Different sections of the museum represent Maya history, the Mayan interaction with nature, cities and architecture, commerce and trade, how the Mayas conceived the world, Mayan science (calendar, solar system, and astronomy), and finally, an explanation of the disappearance of the Maya. The museum is beautifully arranged and presented, and it's easy to spend hours there.

The museum is located near the old market on Heroes near the Holiday Inn. It opens daily at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 7:00 p.m Sunday through Thursday and at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Chetumal City Museum

There is also a city museum in Chetumal. It is located near the Quintanaroonian Institute of Culture. It has photographs, weapons, furniture, and other items that are related to the history of the city. We will provide more information and pictures if they become available.