Mayan World Museum of Mérida — Attraction in Mérida

This is a modern building about 7 km from the old town where they have consolidated the best Mayan artefacts from a range of smaller museums. After buying a ticket you are directed towards a turnstile that takes you into their ‘temporary exhibition’ space, via a small auditorium where they show you a short film about the prehistory (mainly) of the Yucatán. While the items on display were fairly interesting in themselves I would guess that most people who visit the museum are there to see the Mayan exhibits rather than fossils.

The Mayan exhibits that you do eventually get to are well worth seeing: some really impressive pieces and they are exhibited well. I’d guess about half of the exhibits have English translations of the Spanish descriptions. It would be nice if it was all translated, but how many of the exhibits in (for example) the British Museum have information translated into Spanish? None? I stand to be corrected ...

A few irritations: there’s no WiFi (which made sorting out an Uber to get us back to the old town complicated, especially as my phone chose that moment to refuse to pick up a 3G/4G - or any - network) and the signing in the museum is virtually non-existent which means you have to be guided between areas by staff; a triumph of style over practicality.

Did I mention there was no WiFi...

However, it’s well worth the trip out from the centre if you...

Great staff. Very helpful. Not crowded on weekdays afternoon. Building gives an impression that it may be a multistory museum but it is all on part of the main floor. Museum is awesome. Staff is wonderful. We were hoping to eat something or at least go to the coffee shop. Both were closed. Restaurant is not even open from what we understood. Guided tour is not available, stalest in the afternoon. Many of the exhibits don’t have English explanations sad! One of my issue with the museum is that it starts with conquest a lot. I was more interested in Mayan culture as the name indicates. Mayan culture representation is done well however it could have been so much more in-depth. Many signs and descriptions are below 3 feet in height and so many even lower, making you bend down a lot for these exhibits. So much potential for improvement to make it grab your heart. Mayan culture deserves way more. I still give it a 4 star because one should visit this place for sure. Overall, totally worth the visit. I’d say a Grand may not be the word but a Good Mayan...

Signage at this museum is almost non-existent. When you're right in front of it, there is no indication how to access it. There was a non-functioning elevator or steep steps, very elder unfriendly. There was no coffee shop, just drinks and junky snacks. And, remarkably, no wifi, very frustrating for tourists. And, suprisingly, no gift shop? The content is very ideological, looking at the accomplishments and strengths of Maya culture and history. It is nice to learn about Mezo-America from the Mayan perspective. Maya language is one of the 3 featured (including Spanish and English.) However, none of the movies (there are two or three little theatres) seemed to have an English option. Again, not tourist friendly. The museum itself is impressive and massive. The Yucatan government obviously invested massive resources in creating and curating this museum, but doesn't seem to know how to promote or message the public, or explain who or why created this humongous museum. It was...