Museums & Art GalleriesThe following list is not a complete list but covers many of the musems in La Paz. Opening times can and do change, places close down and we dont have time to check teh contact details on a regular basis. If you find out any of this information is in correct then please let us know so we can update it and it will remain useful for the next person to read this guide.
Museo Nacional de Arqueología (Tiahuanacu 93. 9-12.30pm, 3-7pm Mon – Fri, 10am – 12 Sat, 10am-3pm Sun, 1.25us$)
An interesting collection of pre colombian artifacts including a large number from the site of Tiahuanaco are housed in this restored colonial building. Descriptions in Spanish only.
Museo de la Coca (tel 231-1998, Linares 906; 1us$, 10am- 7pm)
This small museum is one of the most visited by tourists and it offers an interesting insight into the usage of the leaf held sacred by Andean peoples. From coca cola to cocaine - you can read all about it in several different languages.
Museo Nacional del Arte (Tel 2408600 or 2408542 Comercio & Socabaya , by Plaza Murillo, us$1.25, 9am -12.30pm & 3pm – 7pm Tues – Fri, 9am- 1pm Sat, 10am -1pm Sun) A collection of classic colonial art aswell as some more contempory pieces are on display here. Another fine colonial building that has been restored.
Museo Tambo Quirquincho (Tel 2390969; Admission US$0.15; 9.30am-12.30pm & 3pm-7pm Tues-Fri, 10am-12.30pm Sat; 10am-1pm Sun) Exhibitions of paintings and photography here change monthly and there are some permanent displays of textiles, crafts and masks. The building itself is a wonderfully restored ‘tambo’ (an old inn &market place). Look out for craft fairs, exhibitions and other events held here.
Iglesia San Francisco Centro Cultural (Tel 231-8472; Plaza San Francisco 503; us$2.50; 9am-9pm daily). This centre is well run and provides an interesting guided tour of the church and attached buildings. There are good views to be had from the beautifully tiled roof (ask if they don’t show you up there) and the adjoining café serves great Italian coffee.
Museo de la Revolucíon Nacional (Plaza Villarroel; US$ 0.15; 9.30am-12.30pm Tues-Fri,10am-1pm Sat & Sun) The 1952 revolution was a very important one and a turning point for politics in Bolivia. This museum provides information, paintings and photographs from this historical time.
Museo de Etnografía y Folklore (Corner Ingavi 916 & Jenero Sanjinés;Tel 2408640; Admission FREE; 9.00am-12.00pm, 3pm-7pm Mon-Sat, 9.00am-1pm Sun). A mixture of permanent exhibitions of textiles, weavings and artefacts from ancient cultures are on display here along with monthly art exhibitions in a beautiful historic building.
Museo de Arte Contemporaneo (tel 233-5905; 16 de Julio 1698 (Prado),US$1.25; 9am-9pm;www.museoplaza.com). This is worth a visit for both the art on display and to see the slightly kitchly restored colonial building that houses the art. The lower part is used to display collections on sale and the rest of the building holds has offerings from many of Bolivia’s most famous artists including the now world famous Mamani Mamani.
Museo de Textiles Andinos Bolivianos (tel 224-3601; Plaza Benito Juárez 488, Miraflores;US$1.90;9.30am-12pm,3pm-6.30pm Mon-Sat,9.30am-12.30pm Sun) Small museum displaying traditional Bolivian weaving, with descriptions of techniques in Spanish. There is a gift shop selling weavings with 90% going to back to theartesanías. Take a bus heading to Av Busch and get off at Guatemala. It is a couple of blocks east.
Kusillo Cultural Complex & Childrens Museum (Tel 2226187; Calle Roosevelt 100, off Av del Ejército; 10am–6pm Tues-Sun). An interactive childrens museum to help educate youngsters about science and the world. Outdoor play area and crafts fair. THIS MUSEUM HAS NOW CLOSED DOWN AND HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE CITY AS PART OF A RENOVATION PROJECT.
Photography Museum Nuñez de Arco (16 de Julio 1615 (Prado) below Cafe La Terraza) A bit overpriced at 15 Bs this private museum contains a small collection of old photographic equipment and some interesting photos of old La Paz, some of the first images taken of Tiahuanaco and other areas from the beginnng of the century. Some great shots of La Paz before there were high rise buildings and mountains could be clearly viewed all around.
Templete Semisubterráneo (Museo al Aire Libre) (Plaza Tejada Sorzano – Estadio). This is a replica of the sunkenTemplete Semisubterráneo at the site of Tiahuanaco. It used to house some original monaliths taken from the site but these have since been moved to the museums at the site itself. The replicas are not very impressive and a little tacky – much better to visit the original site if you have time.
CALLE JAÉN MUSEUMS
Calle Jaén is the best preserved example of colonial architecture in La Paz and is worth a visit in itself. It is also home to 5 museums for the first 4 listed are all purchased at the Museo Costumbrista.
Museo de Metales Preciosos (Tel 2280329; Jaén 777; 9.30am-12.30pm & 3pm-7pm Tues- Fri, 9am-1pm Sat & Sun) Pre-Colombian gold, silver, ceramics and jewellery are on display here.
Museo del Litoral (Jaén 798) Museum commemorating the 1884 war with Chile when Bolivia lost the coast and became a landlocked nation.
Casa de Murillo (Jaén 790, Tel 2280758; 9.30am-12.30pm & 3pm-7pm Tues- Fri, 9am-1pm Sat & Sun). A collection of colonial period furniture, art and other items. The building was once the home of Don Pedro Domingo Murillo a revolutionary leader in 1809. He was later hanged in the plaza that has since been named after him.
Museo Costumbrista Juan de Vargas (Tel 228078; Corner of Jaén & Sucre; 9.30am-12.30pm & 3pm-7pm Tues- Fri, 9am-1pm Sat & Sun) Art, photos, dolls, ceramics and miniature scenes depicting times from by gone La Paz.
Museo de Instrumentos Musicales (Jaén 711; Tel 240-8177, US$0.60;9.30am-1pm &2.30pm-6.30pm). A fantastic selection of musical instruments with a huge collection of charangos – the most common traditional Bolivian string instrument.
Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (Calle 26, Cota Cota, Zona Sur)
Museo Mineralógico (Calle Colón on corner Calle Commerico; Mon – Fri 10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm)
