Are you interested in learning about different cultures and their histories? Here are the ethnology museums to visit in Chile:
1Museum of Precolombian Art
SantiagoThe Museum is housed in the old building of the Royal Customs Palace of Santiago, located at the corner of Bandera and Compañía streets, in the historic center of the Chilean capital. It is conveniently located near the Plaza de Armas metro station, making it easily accessible for tourists. 2Museo Fonck
Viña del MarThe Museo Fonck, also known as the Museo de Arqueología e Historia Francisco Fonck, is situated at 4 Norte 784 esquina 1 Oriente, Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, in Chile. This museum was inaugurated on November 25, 1937, and is named in honor of Francisco Fonck, a German doctor, explorer, and politician who settled in Chile and is known for his exploration of southern Chile. 3R. P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum
San Pedro de AtacamaThe R. P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum was situated in the commune of San Pedro de Atacama, in the II Region of Antofagasta, Chile. This location is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, making it a significant site for those interested in archaeology and history. 4Domo Cultura Ánimas
CoquimboThe Domo Cultura Ánimas is a site museum situated in the Chilean city of Coquimbo. It is named after the Ánimas culture, which was a precursor to the Diaguita culture. The Diaguita culture inhabited the northern part of Chile between 900 and 1200 AD. The museum was established after the remains of this culture were discovered during excavations in the area. 5Museo Regional de Iquique
IquiqueEstablished in 1960, the Museo Regional de Iquique initially operated under the University of the North and was located on Bolívar Street. However, since 1987, the museum has been housed in the building that once served as the Courts of Justice of Iquique, at 951 Baquedano Walk. This location is part of the Typical Zone, a heritage area declared in 1977. 6Museo de Historia Natural de Concepción
ConcepcionThe Museo de Historia Natural de Concepción, located in the city of Concepción, Chile, offers a unique insight into the geographical history of not only the city and the Biobío Region, but also Chile and South America. The museum's collection is a testament to the rich and diverse history of these regions, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in natural history. 7Regional Museum of Rancagua
RancaguaThe museum's collection is displayed in various settings that replicate a 19th-century house. Visitors can explore a living room, dining room, bedroom, study, and traditional kitchen, each filled with period-appropriate objects. 8Rapa Nui Museum
Easter IslandThe Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum is situated in the town of Hanga Roa on Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, in Chilean Polynesia. Named after the Bavarian missionary, Fr. Sebastian Englert, the museum was established in 1973 and is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of Rapa Nui. The museum is managed by the Chilean National Service of Cultural Heritage and houses the William Mulloy Library. 9Archaeological Museum of La Serena
La SerenaThe Archaeological Museum of La Serena is a centrally located museum in the city of La Serena, which is the capital of the Coquimbo Region. The museum was established on April 3, 1943, making it a longstanding institution in the city. 10Museo de La Ligua
La LiguaThe Museo de La Ligua is a cultural institution located in the Province of Petorca, in the Valparaíso Region of northern Chile. It is under the jurisdiction of the Ilustre Municipalidad de La Ligua. This museum is a significant part of the cultural landscape of the region, offering visitors a chance to explore the rich history and heritage of the area. 11Museo del Carmen de Maipú
MaipúThe Museo del Carmen de Maipú is a private museum with a historical, religious, and artistic character. It is located in the commune of Maipú, Santiago de Chile. The museum is a place that preserves, exhibits, and communicates various goods of Chilean cultural heritage. 12Museo del Niño Rural
PichilemuThe Museo del Niño Rural is situated in the town of Ciruelos, within the commune of Pichilemu in the O'Higgins region. This location offers visitors a chance to explore the rural charm of the area while learning about its rich history. 13Museo Lircunlauta
San FernandoThe southern sector of La Casa Patronal del Fundo de Lircunlauta is home to the Ilustre Municipalidad de San Fernando and the Museo de Lircunlauta. This means that visitors to the museum also have the opportunity to explore the historic building in which it is housed, adding an extra layer of interest to their visit. 14Museo O'Higginiano y de Bellas Artes de Talca
TalcaFounded on August 20, 1964, the Museo O'Higginiano y de Bellas Artes de Talca has since become a repository of significant collections. These include Chilean paintings, sculptures, Mapuche silverware, manuscripts, weapons, and numismatics. These collections offer a comprehensive insight into the artistic and historical past of the Maule Region and the country. 15Museo Regional de la Araucanía
TemucoThe Museo Regional de la Araucania, located in the city of Temuco, is a significant cultural institution. Its mission is to preserve, research, disseminate, and value the various cultural heritages that coexist in the region. This includes different periods and spaces, providing a comprehensive view of the region's rich cultural history. 16Museo Pedro del Río Zañartu
HualpénThe Pedro del Río Zañartu Park, located in Hualpén, Chile, is a recreational and historical site that houses the Pedro del Río Zañartu Museum. This museum is situated in a building that was constructed during the colonial period of Chile. The park and museum offer a unique glimpse into the country's history and heritage. 17Regional Museum of Atacama
CopiapóThe Regional Museum of Atacama, situated in Copiapó, Chile, is a non-profit cultural institution. Its mission is to rescue, record, document, preserve, research, value, and disseminate the cultural heritage it safeguards. This includes collections that collectively represent a significant part of the regional cultural identity of Atacama. 18Museo Antonio Felmer
Puerto VarasThe Antonio Felmer Museum is a significant cultural institution situated in Nueva Braunau, a locality within the commune of Puerto Varas in the Los Lagos Region of Chile. This museum offers visitors a unique insight into the region's history and culture. 19Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum
Puerto WilliamsThe Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum, located in Puerto Williams, Isla Navarino, in the southernmost part of Chile, holds the distinction of being the southernmost museum in the world. This unique location adds to the allure of the museum, making it a point of interest for tourists visiting the region. 20Museo Histórico y Antropológico Maurice van de Maele
ValdiviaThe Maurice van de Maele Historical and Anthropological Museum, also known as Casa Carlos Anwandter, is a house museum located in the city of Valdivia, Chile. It is managed by the Austral University of Chile, ensuring that the museum is maintained to a high standard and that the exhibits are curated with academic rigor. This museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the history and anthropology of the region in a setting that is both historical and personal.- 21
Museo Histórico de Puerto Montt
Puerto MonttThe Museo Histórico de Puerto Montt Juan Pablo II is a significant cultural institution in the Los Lagos Region of Chile. Established in 1967, it was originally known as the 'Municipal Museum'. Since 1988, the museum has been situated on the waterfront of Puerto Montt, offering visitors a scenic location to explore the city's history. - 22
Museo Municipal de Cochrane
CochraneThe Museo Municipal de Cochrane is an archaeological, anthropological, and natural history museum. It is situated in the Chilean commune of Cochrane, in the Aysén Region of General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo. This museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich history and culture of the region through its diverse collections. - 23
Museo Mapuche de Cañete
CañeteThe Museo Mapuche de Cañete is situated in the city of Cañete, within the province of Arauco, in the Biobío Region. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the area.