La Paz Museums

If you enjoy going to museums then the city of La Paz has plenty for you to get familiar with the rich cultural heritage of Bolivia.

There are many museums in La Paz that feature Bolivia's history, arts, culture and customs. See Below for list of top museums in La Paz, Bolivia.

Coca Museum (Museo de Coca)
A popular museum among tourists, this museum details the history and significance of the coca leaf & plant. It covers coca use among the indigenous people of the Andes and moves on to coca use today, including production of cocaine. There are free samples of coca leaves for visitors to chew on.

Location: Calle Linares #906, www.cocamuseum.com - Mon-Sun 10:00am-7pm. Phone: 231-1998 Entrance fee is 10 Bolivianos

Archeological Museum (Museo de Arqueologia)
This is a good museum to go for an overview of Tiwananku before you set out on a trip to the Tiwanaku Ruins. The museum is set in a building that has been designed to look like the pre-Columbian temple found at Tiwanaku. It features many findings from the Tiwanaku and Inca cultures. Admission is 10Bs.

Location: Calle Tiahuanaco #93, Mon-Sat 9:30am-12:30pm & 3pm-7pm. Phone: 231-1621

Museum of Ethnic Art & Folkore (Museo Nacional de Etnografia y Folklore)
Located in a historical building, this museum explores indigenous cultures of the Andes through its arts, crafts, weavings and masks.

Location: Calle Ingavi #916, Tue-Sat 9:30am-12:30pm & 3pm-7pm. Phone: 235-8559

Bolivian Andean Textile Museum (Museo de Textiles Andinos Bolivianos)
This museum exhibits a large variety of textiles and weavings from all the Bolivian Andean communities. It's a must-see for weaving lovers. It also displays several garments, like ponchos, from all these regions. The museum also has a store. Admission is 8Bs.

Location: Plaza Benito Juarez #488 in Miraflores, open daily 8am-7pm. Phone: 224-3601

National Art Museum (Museo Nacional de Arte)
Set in one of La Paz's finest baroque building. It features a collection of Andean art classics spread across three floors, including works by one of Bolivia's best-known artist, Melchor Perez de Holguin. Admission is 10Bs.

Location: Calle Comercio corner with Calle Socabaya #432, www.mna.org.bo, Tue.-Sat 9am-12:30pm & 3pm-7pm. Phone: 240-8640

Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo de Arte Contemporaneo)
Set in a colonial building, (in which Gustave Eiffel is said to help design it.) Features three floors of modern artworks and has collections international artists and of many Bolivian artists such as by renowned Aymara painter Mamani Mamani. Admission is 10Bs.

Location: Plaza Av. 16 de Julio #1698 (Prado). Phone: 233-5905

Museum San Francisco
This restored religious complex has housed some of Bolivia's most important historical moments, including the birth of the Independence Revolution of 1809. Also, one can climb the church tower to get a panoramic view of both the indigenous and Mestiza quarters. Displays are in Spanish and English along with personal guides.

Location: off of Plaza San Francisco

Museo Tambo Quirquincho
Located off of Plaza Alonso de Mendoza (just north of Plaza San Francisco), this museum focuses on La Paz's history and culture. Features old photos, paintings and exhibits.

Location: Calle Evaristo Valle, Tue-Fri 9:30am-12:30pm & 3-7pm, Sat & Sun 9am-1pm.

Museum of Natural History (Museo de Historia Natural)
Exhibits speciments of plants, animals, fossils and rocks from all over Bolivia.

Location: Calle 26, Cota Cota, Mon-Fri. 9am-12:30pm & 2:30pm-6pm. Phone: 279-5364

Children's Museum (Museo de los Niños)
One of the newest museums in La Paz, it allows children to experience hands-on activities related to the culture of Bolivia. Admission is 7Bs.

Location: Mirador Laykakota on Avenida del Ejercito, Open Daily 10:30am-6:30pm. Phone: 244-4311

Museum of Musical Instruments (Museo de Instrumentos Musicales)
Featured here is a huge collection of musical instruments from Bolivia and Andean music instruments. The museum was founded by Ernesto Cavour, a Bolivian musician and the inventor of various instruments that have enriched the folklore of the country.
Phone: 240-8177. Location: Calle Jaen #711

If you are looking for a unique view of Bolivian history, culture and artifacts, then visit the group of four museums on Calle Jaen. - Museo Costumbrista, Museo del Litoral, Casa de Don Pedro Domingo and Museo de Metales Preciosos.

The four municipal museums are all accessed on a single ticket, which is sold at Museo Costumbrista. The museums are open Tuesday to Friday, 9:30am-12:30pm & 3pm-7pm and on weekends 10am-1pm.

• Museo Costumbrista
  Features La Paz's history and people. Some amazing photographs are on display, as well as old pianos and phonographs and many modern figurines depicting all styles of life and clothing in La Paz.
  Phone: 237-8478. Location: Calle Jaén on the corner of Calle Sucre