National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore

National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore

National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore
4.5
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
8:45 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
8:45 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
8:45 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
8:45 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Friday
8:45 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 1:30 PM
About
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.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles318 reviews
Excellent
187
Very good
102
Average
25
Poor
1
Terrible
3

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

Jonas N
Stockholm, Sweden45 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Really worth spending some time in this museum to get a deaper understanding about the history a culture in Bolivia. You can take pictures if you pay some extra ticket - totaly worth it. It´s located in the middle of the downtown.
Written October 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind review and for highlighting the value of our photography option. We're thrilled to hear that you found your visit worthwhile and that it deepened your understanding of Bolivian history and culture. Our central location is indeed meant to provide convenient access to all who are interested in exploring our rich heritage. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to welcoming you back to the museum soon!
Written May 8, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Chinapjs
Washington DC, DC3,630 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Loved this museum. It gives the cultural and ethnological underpinnings of native dress in Bolivia. Hats, dresses, masks. Literally thousands all over on three floors of exhibits in a restored colonial stone mansion. Everything is divided by areas of inhabitants from both Bolivia and parts of Peru. Mask collection is stunning as are the feathers of birds used in masks and head coverings and head dresses. Some are unbelievable. Kids will love this museum too. Small gift shop with interesting photo books and a coffee shop too. Closes for lunch at 12 noon.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your enthusiastic and detailed review! We're thrilled to know that you enjoyed exploring the cultural and ethnological significance of traditional Bolivian and Peruvian dress at our museum. It’s great to hear that the mask collection and the use of natural feathers made such a strong impression on you. We're also glad that the museum appealed to the kids and that you found our gift shop and coffee shop to be worthwhile stops during your visit. Your note about our closing time is very helpful for future visitors. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to welcoming you back to the museum soon!
Written May 8, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

The Weak Knee Traveler
Singapore, Singapore12,833 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019 • Solo
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.
Written June 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a positive review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the exhibits, particularly our collection of traditional accessories like masks and hats. It's wonderful to know that our efforts to showcase essential aspects of Bolivian culture resonated with you. We're also glad that you had the chance to visit our mini cafe and enjoyed the hot chocolate. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again soon at the museum for another enriching experience!
Written May 8, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Bình Le
San Jose, CA342 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Couples
Impressive exhibit of ceremonial masks, unique exhibits on sacred water and numismatic! Love other smaller exhibits on textile, use of feather and plata in ceremonial clothing, and ceramics. You will need to pay extra 20BS for a photo pass to be able to take photos, although it is not strictly regulated, I would recommend following the rule out of respect.
Written October 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Esteban
Bogota, Colombia21 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Solo
The museum is worth it, it is very complete, instructive and beautiful. The only thing that could improve is that the museum was quite a few foreigners whose common language was English, and there is no information in that language. In addition, there was a section showing indigenous dress over time and placing them with white factions, which was meaningless. The rest of the museum is spectacular.
Automatically translated
Written August 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
¡Muchas gracias por tu visita y tu comentario tan detallado! Nos alegra profundamente que hayas disfrutado de la riqueza cultural y la oferta expositiva del Museo Nacional de Etnografía y Folklore. Apreciamos mucho tus observaciones sobre la falta de información en inglés, es un aspecto que estamos trabajando para mejorar, pues queremos que nuestras exposiciones sean accesibles a todos los visitantes. En cuanto a la representación de la vestimenta indígena, agradecemos tu observación crítica. Estamos constantemente revisando nuestras presentaciones para reflejar de la manera más fiel y respetuosa la diversidad y riqueza de los pueblos indígenas de Bolivia. Esperamos verte nuevamente y que sigas descubriendo más sobre nuestras culturas. ¡Un abrazo desde el MUSEF!
Written October 8, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

BestRegards FromFar
Cape Town Central, South Africa674 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Friends
From masks to textiles, and from traditional clothing from different tribes to headwear made from feathers, the ethnographic museum provides with many insights about different ethnic groups of Bolivia. We took a guided tour to get a better understanding and spend quite some time exploring the extensive exhibition rooms of this wonderful museum that is set in an old colonial building which is interesting from an architectural point of view a well. Definitely well-worth a visit when you are in La Paz!
Written August 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re thrilled that you enjoyed learning about Bolivia’s diverse ethnic groups through our masks, textiles, and traditional clothing exhibits. It's great to hear that the guided tour enhanced your experience and that you took time to explore our museum in depth. We’re also glad you appreciated the charm of our colonial building. We hope to welcome you back on your next visit to La Paz—there's always more to discover at the MUSEF!
Written October 8, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Experience827756
Bogota, Colombia21 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
Very nice from the moment you enter. It has some recent exhibits but they are quite interesting only if you speak Spanish, otherwise you can enter and admire but the explanations are only in Spanish. They do not allow you to take photos unless you make an extra payment of the 20BS entry value.
Google
Written March 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gracias por compartir su experiencia en el Museo Nacional de Etnografía y Folklore. Nos complace saber que disfrutó de nuestra colección y exposiciones. Es nuestro objetivo proporcionar una ventana educativa a las ricas tradiciones y culturas que estudiamos y preservamos. Esperamos que su visita haya sido enriquecedora y que vuelva pronto.
Written May 8, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kevin S
Pontypridd, UK7,058 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
Having found this museum it is very unimpressive from the outside. The entry fee of 20BOB, US$3 also suggests nothing great here. You enter into a small courtyard thinking still this might be not worth it but then it expands into many different large modern rooms filled with artefacts each dedicated to a different history, of cloth and weaving, ceramics, music, hats by regions, minerals, money, feathers in clothing and headgear. Actually well worth a visit.
Written May 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re glad that even though the museum’s modest exterior and low entry fee might not seem like much, you found the extensive exhibitions inside to be a pleasant surprise. We take pride in showcasing Bolivia’s rich cultural history through diverse artifacts, from textiles to minerals, and we’re thrilled to hear that you felt it was worth the visit. We hope to welcome you back soon!
Written October 8, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Phil C
Xi'an, China126 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019 • Solo
This places seems to cover a whole host of traditional art forms and practices. It includes videos in many sections demonstrating how the pieces on display are used. A little more English on the displays would be good but otherwise great!
Written May 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DCtoEverywhere
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico21 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015
Because it was hard to find elsewhere, here are the museum hours:
Monday-Friday: 9.00 am - 12.00 pm; 3.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Saturday: 9.00 am - 4.30 pm
Sunday: 9.00 am - 12.30 pm

The museum is different from most I have encountered in other South American countries because its exhibits are of textiles, masks, and birds. While others have mentioned the mask hall, I particularly liked the birds exhibit. It consisted of photos of birds with myths about them and headdresses made of feathers.

As others noted, the exhibit descriptions are only in Spanish.

Yes, tourists have to pay more than Bolivians. This does not bother me as it seems to other visitors because I believe there is nothing wrong with the government trying to encourage its citizens to visit museums such as this one by subsidizing their entrance fees.
Written September 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ETHNOGRAPHY AND FOLKLORE - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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