All ethnology museums to visit in Chile

Explore the cultural diversity and heritage at 23 ethnology museums in Chile. These museums offer insights into the traditions, customs, and ways of life of various communities.

Are you interested in learning about different cultures and their histories? Here are the ethnology museums to visit in Chile:

  1. Museum of Precolombian Art1

    Museum of Precolombian Art

     Santiago
    The 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.
  2. Museo Fonck2

    Museo Fonck

     Viña del Mar
    The 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.
  3. R. P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum3

    R. P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum

     San Pedro de Atacama
    The 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.
  4. Domo Cultura Ánimas4

    Domo Cultura Ánimas

     Coquimbo
    The 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.
  5. Museo Regional de Iquique5

    Museo Regional de Iquique

     Iquique
    Established 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.
  6. Museo de Historia Natural de Concepción6

    Museo de Historia Natural de Concepción

     Concepcion
    The 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.
  7. Regional Museum of Rancagua7

    Regional Museum of Rancagua

     Rancagua
    The 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.
  8. Rapa Nui Museum8

    Rapa Nui Museum

     Easter Island
    The 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.
  9. Archaeological Museum of La Serena9

    Archaeological Museum of La Serena

     La Serena
    The 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.
  10. Museo de La Ligua10

    Museo de La Ligua

     La Ligua
    The 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.
  11. Museo del Carmen de Maipú11

    Museo del Carmen de Maipú

     Maipú
    The 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.
  12. Museo del Niño Rural12

    Museo del Niño Rural

     Pichilemu
    The 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.
  13. Museo Lircunlauta13

    Museo Lircunlauta

     San Fernando
    The 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.
  14. Museo O'Higginiano y de Bellas Artes de Talca14

    Museo O'Higginiano y de Bellas Artes de Talca

     Talca
    Founded 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.
  15. Museo Regional de la Araucanía15

    Museo Regional de la Araucanía

     Temuco
    The 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.
  16. Museo Pedro del Río Zañartu16

    Museo Pedro del Río Zañartu

     Hualpén
    The 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.
  17. Regional Museum of Atacama17

    Regional Museum of Atacama

     Copiapó
    The 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.
  18. Museo Antonio Felmer18

    Museo Antonio Felmer

     Puerto Varas
    The 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.
  19. Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum19

    Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum

     Puerto Williams
    The 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.
  20. Museo Histórico y Antropológico Maurice van de Maele20

    Museo Histórico y Antropológico Maurice van de Maele

     Valdivia
    The 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. 21

    Museo Histórico de Puerto Montt

     Puerto Montt
    The 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. 22

    Museo Municipal de Cochrane

     Cochrane
    The 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. 23

    Museo Mapuche de Cañete

     Cañete
    The 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.