City: Bolivia
Top Things to do in Bolivia
Top 10 Specialty Museums in Bolivia, Bolivia
Coordinates: 16°42′43″S 64°39′58″W / 16.712°S 64.666°W / -16.712; -64.666
Restaurants in Bolivia
1. Museum of Musical Instruments - Museo Instrumentos Musicales de Bolivia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 192 reviews
Especially fun for children, this museum lets them try playing the assortment of ancient instruments, all made from natural elements, like wood, bone, turtle shells and toucan beaks.
Reviewed By VG1302 - Blue Mountains, Australia
This museum is hands-down the best one on Calle Jaen! Even if you skip the other 4 located in this part of La Paz and visit just this one, it is time well spent. There are musical instruments from Bolivia, the rest of South America and all around the world. They are all displayed in different rooms. There were flutes made out of palm straw, bamboo, condor bones, condor feathers and what not! There was a huge and unique collection of guitars made out of armadillo and turtle shells. To make things a bit more interesting, there is a room which is full of miniature depictions of all these instruments. There is an interesting map of Bolivia and South America showing where all the different musical instruments originated. Then there is also depicted this fascination of the Amazonian tribes to decorate their musical instruments with nuts, seeds and feathers. Similar to Larco Museo in Lima, there were depictions on pottery of people playing instruments and even flutes showing erotic depictions which I thought was unique to this museum. The entry ticket to this museum is separate from the other 4 museums. This one costs Bs. 5 per person. From memory, they are closed during lunch hours. This is a must visit museum if visiting La Paz! Highly recommended.
2. National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 299 reviews
The museum has among its exhibitions, a collection of textiles, hats and pottery from the different regions of Bolivia. The higlights are for sure the masks display and the feather art collection. Finally, you can see a basketry, coins and metals exhibitions.
Reviewed By WeakKneeTraveler - Singapore, Singapore
This museum has a very good exhibit of traditional accessories such as masks, hats, etc. Recommended to visit to understand a very essential part of the Bolivian culture. There is also a mini cafe in the museum which serves really nice hot chocolate.
3. Museum of Indigenous Art ASUR
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 264 reviews
Reviewed By casapuebloarts - Sucre, Bolivia
The South Andean Anthropologists program has been supporting anthropological research and ethnic development projects in Bolivia for over 30 years and the beautiful and informative museum and museum store are products of their work throughout the southern Andean region.
4. Museo de Textiles Andinos Bolivianos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
The Museum exhibits a broad variety of textiles and clothing from the Bolivian Andes, which allow visitors to appreciate the richness and experience the magic of understanding a weaving by reading in its colors and figures the stories and myths of women and men, and their cultures.
Reviewed By Chinapjs - Washington DC, United States
Beautiful private small museum focusing on social and cultural nature of indigenous textiles. Some beautiful pieces and great explainations (all in Spanish). Very friendly person in charge. Set high on top of La Paz so there are some great photo ops nearby too. Take a taxi and arrange for taxi to stay as you only need about twenty minutes. Cost is about $2.20 per person. Nice gift shop too. If you like indigenous textiles this is a must visit.
5. Museo Tambo Qirquincho
6. Ethnographic and Folklore Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By isat856
Free entrance with displays of many Retablo's= Altar Pieces. They are significant for Altoplano culture with it's mix of Catholic and indigenous religion/beliefs. It's a kind of 'primitive' art which show the conviction and love the makers put into it. There is a lot of explanation but unfortunately only in Spanish. But there is a very kind gentleman walking around looking for visitors who want to know more. He is happy to explain in very soft and clear Spanish so if you took the effort to learn some he is a great and kind help. I really liked this museum and it gave me the opportunity to understand more of Bolivian (and Peruvian etc.) culture. It would even be better if they could give English translations on paper of all their explanations. I think tourists would not mind paying a reasonable entrance fee for it.
7. Centro Turistico Comunitario
8. Museo del Tesoro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
The museum is a tribute to beauty. Shows the art and technique of gold, silver and gemstones from Bolivia.
Reviewed By mollytheblog
I absolutely loved this museum! We were taken on a tour by Hebert who was amazing at explaining each of the exhibitions. The museum is sort of in the dark, with Hebert turning on the lights of just one section at a time meaning that it was full of constant surprises. I really enjoyed learning about the impact of mining on the economy and culture of Bolivia, and seeing the artefacts in the museum. The most amazing section is the crystals. You aren't allowed to take photos which is a shame but I think it is nice that everything there is a surprise to you. Good value for money, interesting stuff and a superb guide.
