Neither of us are art experts, but we do enjoy visiting art museums in the various countries we travel to because local works offer interesting insight into the culture and history of a place. The National Museum of Guatemalan Art, or MUNAG, holds a variety of interesting pieces, from paintings and sculptures to artifacts. If you’re an art lover, we definitely recommend making a visit while in Antigua!
Getting to the National Museum of Guatemalan Art
The National Museum of Guatemalan Art sits in the heart of Antigua right along Parque Central. The city is fairly small and very walkable – chances are, you’re staying not too far away. If coming from further away and you don’t feel like walking, there are taxis and Ubers operating in the city.
The museum sits within the Royal Palace of the Captains General where there are multiple entrances to the museums and offices within it. When we visited, the entrance to MUNAG was under the covered corridor along the plaza. However, now it appears that the main entrance may now be along the west side of the building on 5a Avenida Sur.
Hours & Regulations
The National Museum of Guatemalan Art is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am – 6pm.
Upon entry, you’ll pass through a security check where you’ll have to open up your bag/purse. Large backpacks and luggage are not permitted in the museum. We were also asked to register with our passport information – we’d carry a copy of your passport if asked for it.
Fees
There are no entry fees charged to visit the National Museum of Guatemalan Art.
Bring cash or card if you want to buy anything from the museum gift shop.
Visiting the National Museum of Guatemalan Art
The Building
While the art inside the National Museum of Guatemalan Art is the main draw, the building itself is notable too. The Royal Palace of the Captains General was built in the 1550s and served as a residence for Spanish royals during colonial times. It also housed a jail, mint, and various government offices.
Earthquakes and abandonment left it in a state of neglect. The building became a protected monument in the 1970s, but full restoration efforts only came recently, beginning in 2006. Today, the palace houses multiple museums in addition to the National Museum of Guatemalan Art.
Much of the building has been restored with the exception of some of the ruins of the original building can be seen in the rear courtyard as you make your way through MUNAG. This courtyard also offers great views of Volcán de Agua. The upper level of the palace offers pretty views over Parque Central from the front of the building.
The Exhibits
There are various exhibits within the National Museum of Guatemalan Art, including art ranging from the pre-Hispanic era to modern day. You’ll see art and artifacts from indigenous peoples, European pieces from colonial times, and interesting modern pieces that all highlight Guatemala’s unique culture and interesting past.
Each piece has a brief description in both Spanish, Kaqchikel, and English. There are also additional informational signs highlighting topics like Mayan history, timelines of architectural projects in Antigua, art influences in Guatemala, and more. If you’d like deeper information, we’d suggest getting an audio guide. See more on that below.
The variety of art combined with the beauty of the building kept us entertained during our entire visit. We’d allocate around a couple hours to get through the museum.
Tours & Audio Guides
If you’d like a deeper look into the pieces within the museum or a more structured visit, there are tours available provided by the museum. Inquire in person.
Additionally, there are audio guides available in multiple languages free of charge.
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