Natural History Museum (UNMSM) Lima
Discover Lima's prehistoric past at the UNMSM Natural History Museum, featuring giant fossils, an ecological garden, and whale skeletons. An affordabl...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Natural History Museum (UNMSM) Lima
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover Lima's prehistoric past at the UNMSM Natural History Museum, featuring giant fossils, an ecological garden, and whale skeletons. An affordable educational adventure!
"Great museum with lots of information about prehistoric animals that lived in this side of the globe."
💰 Affordable Entry
Enjoy a great experience for a very small price of 10 S.
⏰ Check Closing Times
The museum closes early, so plan your visit accordingly to see all exhibits.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Prehistoric Giants
Main Exhibition Hall
Marvel at the colossal remains of ancient creatures like Livyatan and Purussaurus. A must-see for paleontology enthusiasts!
Ecological Garden & Geology
Outdoor Area
Explore a neat ecological garden and geology hall, featuring complete whale skeletons and diverse flora.
Fossil and Mineral Collections
Exhibition Rooms
Discover a good collection of fossils, stones, insects, and taxidermy, offering insights into natural history.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Plan Your Visit: Hours & Tickets
Navigating the Museum
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
💰 Affordable Entry
Enjoy a great experience for a very small price of 10 S.
⏰ Check Closing Times
The museum closes early, so plan your visit accordingly to see all exhibits.
🗣️ Language Barrier
Most information is in Spanish. Consider a translation app for a better understanding.
⏳ Time Your Visit
Allocate about 1.5 hours to explore the museum's collections.
Tips
from all over the internet
💰 Affordable Entry
Enjoy a great experience for a very small price of 10 S.
⏰ Check Closing Times
The museum closes early, so plan your visit accordingly to see all exhibits.
🗣️ Language Barrier
Most information is in Spanish. Consider a translation app for a better understanding.
⏳ Time Your Visit
Allocate about 1.5 hours to explore the museum's collections.
👨👩👧 Kid-Friendly Discoveries
A great place for kids to discover and learn about prehistoric animals and natural history.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Natural History Museum (UNMSM) for its impressive collection of prehistoric animals and fossils, offering a great educational experience at a very affordable price. The outdoor garden and whale skeletons are also highlights. However, some note that the museum lacks modern updates and that most information is only in Spanish, which can be a barrier for non-Spanish speakers.
"Nice place to come and visit, really interesting, it could be great if they will put an explanation in English also 🙏🏻"
guy s
"Wonderful museum for anyone zoology and paleontology! Not too big but packed with the remains of giants: Livyatan, Perucetus, baleen whales, extinct turtles and the giant caiman Purussaurus. Furthermore, a neat and varied ecological garden and geology hall are exhibited outside of the main building, as are two complete whale skeletons (Sperm and Bryde's whales). Had a great time!"
Uri Wolkowski
"Nice old museum... it's not modern at all, but it is part of its charm. We visited it in an hour and a half. They have a cool section on prehistoric animals and another of reptiles... very neat. The only NEGATIVE aspect is that there is no staff in the exhibition rooms so kids were screaming and parents were like if that was OK... no bueno! But other than that it was a cool visit, and cheap 10 soles, yay!!"
rocio tamez
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The museum is located in the Barrios Altos neighborhood. It's best to arrive by taxi. It's situated within the hospital grounds, so follow the indications to the museum area.
Taxis are recommended for reaching the museum in Barrios Altos. Public transport might be less direct for tourists.
Information on dedicated parking is scarce. Arriving by taxi is generally the most convenient option.
Yes, ride-sharing apps are a viable option for getting to the museum, offering convenience and potentially better pricing than traditional taxis.
It's located in the Barrios Altos neighborhood of Lima, near the dormitory master.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission is very affordable, costing only 10 soles per person.
Booking in advance is generally not required, and tickets can be purchased upon arrival.
The museum is typically open from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to noon. It's crucial to check current hours as they can close early.
While the general admission is very low, specific discount information for students or seniors is not widely available. The low price point makes it accessible for most visitors.
Information on accessibility is limited. Some areas might be challenging due to the museum's older infrastructure.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Highlights include impressive displays of prehistoric animals like Livyatan and Purussaurus, a varied ecological garden, a geology hall with whale skeletons, and collections of fossils, minerals, and taxidermy.
Most visitors spend about an hour and a half to two hours exploring the museum's exhibits.
Unfortunately, the majority of the information provided is in Spanish only. Visitors may want to use a translation app.
Guided tours are not commonly mentioned. Visitors typically explore at their own pace.
The museum is described as 'nice old museum' with a classic charm, though some areas could benefit from modernization. It can get noisy if children are not supervised.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally allowed inside the museum, but it's always a good idea to check for any specific restrictions on flash photography or certain exhibits.
The large prehistoric skeletons, the diverse specimens in the ecological garden, and the detailed fossil and mineral displays offer great photographic opportunities.
The outdoor ecological garden with whale skeletons and the main hall featuring large prehistoric animal models are popular spots for photos.
Yes, with good lighting and composition, even smartphone cameras can capture impressive images of the exhibits.
Weekday mornings might offer fewer crowds, allowing for more unobstructed shots. The natural light in the outdoor garden is also pleasant.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's a budget-friendly outing with an admission fee of only 10 soles.
💰 Budget Travelers
Combine your visit with exploring the historic center of Lima, which is also relatively inexpensive to navigate. Arriving by taxi is recommended for convenience, but factor this into your overall budget.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring Lima's Natural History
The museum's charm lies in its traditional presentation, which some find nostalgic and others note as needing modernization. Beyond the main exhibition halls, the ecological garden and geology hall provide a refreshing outdoor experience. Here, you can admire complete whale skeletons and a variety of plant life, making it a well-rounded visit.
While the museum is praised for its content and incredibly low admission fee (around 10 soles), a significant point of feedback is the predominance of Spanish-language information. Travelers who don't speak Spanish might find it challenging to fully engage with the exhibits without a translation tool. Despite this, it remains a highly recommended spot for families and anyone interested in natural history.
Navigating Lima's Museum Scene
For those interested in a broader historical context, the Museo de Lima provides insights into the city's development, and the LUM (Place of Memory, Tolerance and Social Inclusion) offers a more contemporary and poignant historical narrative.
When planning your museum visits in Lima, consider grouping nearby attractions. For instance, the historic center of Lima, where UNMSM is located, also houses other historical sites and museums.
Social
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