Museo Internacional De La Esmeralda
Museo Internacional De La Esmeralda
4
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Immerse yourself in a world of elegance and knowledge at our museum, where the Colombian emerald takes center stage. Marvel at the timeless beauty of these gemstones, the result of millions of years of geological history. Our life-size emerald mine tunnel will transport you deep underground, revealing the secrets behind the formation of these precious stones.
Experience the thrill of emerald mining firsthand through our 360-degree video. Witness the extraction process in the mines of Boyacá, one of the world's most renowned emerald-producing regions.
Discover the art of high-end jewelry through our exclusive pieces, crafted by Colombian master jewelers. Learn to differentiate a genuine emerald from an imitation and understand the criteria that define its quality and value.
Let the green magic cast its spell on you.
Duration: < 1 hour
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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
4.0
335 reviews
Excellent
179
Very good
66
Average
54
Poor
26
Terrible
10
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Nadia D
1 contribution
Nov 2024 • Family
Our tour guide Gabriella was AMAZING. She spoke perfect English, had a deep understanding and knowledge of emeralds, the legends behind the discovery of emeralds, and was ready to answer any questions. The view from the museum is beautiful and worth going up there just for the view alone! Remember, take your official physical passport to enter the building. A photo won’t make the cut. Honestly, all the hype around the Gold museum was hot air. The emerald museum was tiny in comparison but the intimate tour size and Gabriella’s presentation made this our favourite! Loved it.
Written November 6, 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.
Hey! Thanks for leaving us your rating. We're thrilled that your visit was top-notch. Gabriela works hard to make sure every guest has an amazing experience on every tour.
Written November 8, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
B d A
Athens, Greece1,008 contributions
Jul 2022
a high school project work with fine vistas to the town but just that. A willing student like exponent, meticulous and humorous took us through the stages and the qualities and the four factors: translucency, colour, inclusions, clarity, cut etc. We did not absorb, or rather we absorbed less than form a wikipaedia or equivalent expose. But like whatever is oversold, this one assumed a character well beyond what it constituted. The jewelry specimens were below what you see in a upper middle class european gathering of well jewelled ladies. Security was interestingly underlined and that was to our liking
Written August 1, 2022
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 share your feedback. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Your comments are invaluable to us as we strive to enhance our exhibits and provide the best possible experience for our visitors. We're always working to expand our collection and create even more engaging displays.
Written September 17, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Logan S
1 contribution
Oct 2024 • Family
A new experience I am very happy to hear that you enjoyed the exhibition. It's fascinating to learn about emeralds, isn't it? Its green color is really captivating. And information about their quality and ways to identify authentic ones is very valuable. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Automatically translated
Written October 21, 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.
¡Hola Logan!, gracias por compartir tu experiencia y calificación, seguiremos trabajando en brindar lo mejor de nosotros y dar a conocer el tesoro natural de nuestro país.
Written October 23, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nohra N
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
Excellent small museum but with everything you can learn about the Emerald and even more the Colombian emerald. Virtual reality with special lenses was very interesting and fun. And finally I bought some beautiful emerald earrings. Good prices and certificate.
Automatically translated
Written October 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.
¡Hola Nohran!, gracias por dejarnos tu calificación, nos alegra que te haya gustado la visita al museo, seguiremos trabajando para que cada visitante tenga la misma buena experiencia y se lleven lo mejor de la magia verde.
Written November 1, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sara S
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
Excellent place, very pedagogical route in which you can get knowledge about the formation of the Emerald and the different areas
Where said gem is extracted.
The staff extremely well prepared.
Its impeccable facilities
Allows photographic registration
Unforgettable 360 Virtual Reality Glasses Experience
Fully recommended to live a unique experience
Where said gem is extracted.
The staff extremely well prepared.
Its impeccable facilities
Allows photographic registration
Unforgettable 360 Virtual Reality Glasses Experience
Fully recommended to live a unique experience
Automatically translated
Written July 4, 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.
¡Hola! gracias por dejarnos tu calificación, nos seguiremos esforzando para que todo nuestro personal e instalaciones sean de lo mejor para que cada visitante tenga la misma agradable experiencia. Gracias por vivir la magia verde.
Written September 16, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SARAGUEV
Tokyo, Japan616 contributions
Feb 2012 • Solo
I can understand the dissapointment of some visitors because they expect an ordinary museum. In fact "The International Emerald Museum" is not a museum, this is the private collection of Mr.Alberto Sepúlveda a wellknown bussinesman in the emerald bussines.
The collection is in the Edificio de Avianca, Floor 23, so the view is beautiful specially during sunset. The ticket costs 5,000 pesos.
The private exhibition consists in a short video of 5 minutes, a small reproduction of 3 of the most important mines in Boyaca and Cundinamarca: Muzo, Chivor and Coscuez, and finally a room with some samples of beautiful emeralds. As in every exhibition or museum you will find a shop with some nice pieces of jewelry. The prices are not as expensive, considering the quality of the jewels and that at your exit from Colombia you can receive a refund of 15% tax.
Before leaving the building, check another small exhibition in the 1st. floor of the same building. I suggest to go first to the 23rd floor and then to 1st to see the other pieces.
You are not allowed to take pictures or videos.
The collection is in the Edificio de Avianca, Floor 23, so the view is beautiful specially during sunset. The ticket costs 5,000 pesos.
The private exhibition consists in a short video of 5 minutes, a small reproduction of 3 of the most important mines in Boyaca and Cundinamarca: Muzo, Chivor and Coscuez, and finally a room with some samples of beautiful emeralds. As in every exhibition or museum you will find a shop with some nice pieces of jewelry. The prices are not as expensive, considering the quality of the jewels and that at your exit from Colombia you can receive a refund of 15% tax.
Before leaving the building, check another small exhibition in the 1st. floor of the same building. I suggest to go first to the 23rd floor and then to 1st to see the other pieces.
You are not allowed to take pictures or videos.
Written February 17, 2012
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.
Thanks for sharing your feedback! We’ll keep working to make the experience even better, and we hope you’ll visit us again soon.
Written November 9, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
scphil21
Orange County, CA442 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
This is an emerald store owned by someone with a fantastic collection of emeralds. The visit is quite bizarre. You go up in an elevator, pay your money. Then they lock you in a little dark room to watch a 10 minute video on emeralds. After the video is over there is no instruction on what to do. There is a dark cavern to your right and you sort of pause to figure out what is going on. Once the bizarreness reaches an unbearable point someone appears from nowhere to light the cavern and walk you through the "emerald mine". After that they run you around a few cases of rare emeralds and dump you into the jewelry store. No exhibits, no explanations, no history. Just a video and a whirlwind tour of some rich guy's emeralds. Kind of a surreal experience. This was not a highlight of the trip.
Written December 2, 2014
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.
Marcia74
Denver, CO88 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
I've visited this little museum twice in the past several months with friends who were visiting us here in Bogota. I just went last week and the entrance fee is only USD$2.50, so not sure how
much the one person got charged who said it was expensive. It's in a building that you show
your ID and they take a photo of you before getting in the elevator and you go up to the museum. BTW, there's a clean bathroom with soap and running water on this floor. You watch a short video in Spanish as they round up an English speaking guide, otherwise the tour is in Spanish. Then you go in a dark room and watch another short video that is subtitled in English. The guided tour takes you to 4 sections of Emerald mines that are replicas of the real deal. In the next room, they have several emerald pieces and Emerald art in glass cases. The guide explains each case. There are some magnificent specimens. You are then free to look and buy in their jewelry shop. Colombia is famous for it's Emeralds, so this is an interesting and informative stop.
much the one person got charged who said it was expensive. It's in a building that you show
your ID and they take a photo of you before getting in the elevator and you go up to the museum. BTW, there's a clean bathroom with soap and running water on this floor. You watch a short video in Spanish as they round up an English speaking guide, otherwise the tour is in Spanish. Then you go in a dark room and watch another short video that is subtitled in English. The guided tour takes you to 4 sections of Emerald mines that are replicas of the real deal. In the next room, they have several emerald pieces and Emerald art in glass cases. The guide explains each case. There are some magnificent specimens. You are then free to look and buy in their jewelry shop. Colombia is famous for it's Emeralds, so this is an interesting and informative stop.
Written January 22, 2014
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.
Eternalspring22
Bogota, Colombia4 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
It is a fake museum. I am taking an expensive Spanish class at Javeriana and they took us to this "museum" as a class field trip. The presumption here is that foreigners taking expensive spanish classes will have enough money to spend on grossly overpriced jewelry. The set up of the shop is you enter through a plastic imitation of a emerald mine tunnel and you are shown how the emeralds occur in veins in the rock, next you are taken to an small room exhibit of the raw mined emeralds, adjacent to that room are few workers polishing the emeralds and big finally of the five minute tour is THE STORE!!! In the store you can buy small $5,000 earrings and many more expensive stuff. If you ever been to a tourist trap carpet store in Turkey or India where they have the weavers at the entrance and they try to sell you thousands of dollars of premium hand made carpete this place has exactly the same feel and structure. Go to the legit Museo del Oro next door, skip this fake museum scam.
Written August 25, 2012
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.
Thanks for sharing your feedback! We’ll keep working to make the experience even better, and we hope you’ll visit us again soon.
Written November 9, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
HPRIC
Washington DC148 contributions
Feb 2011 • Couples
To be fair - this is more of an educational opportunity that leads to a jewelry showroom - calling it a "museum" is a bit of a stretch. However, it is still worth a visit, since it is near other attractions like the Gold Museum, and you can be in and out in less than an hour. Plus, the views are great! The museum is located in the Avianca building, and security is tight- be sure to bring identification. When you arrive you will be shown a movie on emerald mining and then will be guided through a "mine shaft" which re-creates the various mining environments in Colombia, with actual emerald mine samples from each. It was very interesting to learn about the different qualities and types of emeralds that Colombia produces. Then, you can view all kinds of emerald artifacts, and lastly, you may purchase all manner of emerald jewelry. One drawback is that you are not allowed to take photos of the emeralds, but you are allowed to take photos out of the windows, which is quite an impressive view of the city.
Written November 11, 2011
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.
¡Hey! Thanks for you review
Written November 9, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hola el recorrido es carto pero con un guía espectacular mi inconformidad es que compre un anillo el 9 de enero y ya sele callo una piedra y la verdad son muy costosos para no tener una buena calidad espero pronta respuesta y donde puedo llevar mi anillo para que lo arregle ahora mismo estoy fuera del país si cuando yo vaya lo puedas areglar
Written February 2, 2019
fui y me encanto lo que aprendi, ya que el guia alejandro fue muy jocoso y bien claro.!!
Written June 4, 2019
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