Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo

Museum · Oaxaca City

Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo

Museum · Oaxaca City

4

1a. Cerrada de Macedonio Alcala s/n, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico

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Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by Image by Mel Longhurst / Getty Images
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by Photo by Suzanne Barbezat
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by Photo by Suzanne Barbezat
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by Photo by Suzanne Barbezat
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo by null

Highlights

Housed in a stunning 17th-century Dominican convent, this museum immerses you in Oaxaca’s rich history with treasures from Monte Albán and beautiful gardens.  

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1a. Cerrada de Macedonio Alcala s/n, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico Get directions

sic.gob.mx

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1a. Cerrada de Macedonio Alcala s/n, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico Get directions

+52 951 516 2991
sic.gob.mx
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@gobiernomx

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Last updated

Jul 31, 2025

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@travelleisure

20 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca

"The Museo de las Culturas features 14 rooms that tell the story of Oaxaca's history." - Travel + Leisure Editors

https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-things-to-do-in-oaxaca-7510112
View Postcard for Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo
@afar

"Take a Walk Through Oaxaca's History Housed in the former Dominican convent of Santo Domingo, the museum of Oaxacan cultures offers a glimpse at the state's history from ancient times through the colonial period, and into the modern day. The building was beautifully restored and opened to the public in 1998. You should go in even if just to see the interior of this stunning building, but the exhibits are also excellent. The highlight of this museum is the Treasure of Tomb 7, an offering that was found in a tomb at Monte Alban archaeological site. This is the greatest treasure ever found in Mesoamerica, and contains exquisitely crafted gold jewelry, as well as precious stone, intricately carved bone and more."

Oaxaca's Ancient Civilizations
View Postcard for Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo
@afar

"Take a Walk Through Oaxaca's History Housed in the former Dominican convent of Santo Domingo, the museum of Oaxacan cultures offers a glimpse at the state's history from ancient times through the colonial period, and into the modern day. The building was beautifully restored and opened to the public in 1998. You should go in even if just to see the interior of this stunning building, but the exhibits are also excellent. The highlight of this museum is the Treasure of Tomb 7, an offering that was found in a tomb at Monte Alban archaeological site. This is the greatest treasure ever found in Mesoamerica, and contains exquisitely crafted gold jewelry, as well as precious stone, intricately carved bone and more."

Oaxaca Museums
View Postcard for Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo
@afar

"Take a Walk Through Oaxaca's History Housed in the former Dominican convent of Santo Domingo, the museum of Oaxacan cultures offers a glimpse at the state's history from ancient times through the colonial period, and into the modern day. The building was beautifully restored and opened to the public in 1998. You should go in even if just to see the interior of this stunning building, but the exhibits are also excellent. The highlight of this museum is the Treasure of Tomb 7, an offering that was found in a tomb at Monte Alban archaeological site. This is the greatest treasure ever found in Mesoamerica, and contains exquisitely crafted gold jewelry, as well as precious stone, intricately carved bone and more."

A Perfect Day in Oaxaca
View Postcard for Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo

Maria G

Google
It was such a wow moment walking into the space; the exterior walls keep this beautiful place so hidden! We came here on a Sunday in June, it just so happens to be not busy. The downside is they don’t allow strollers so if you are bringing your baby, leave the stroller at home😫. They have more new exhibitions as well as a lot of artefacts. There are so many rooms to explore and the architecture speaks for itself. You can also go upstairs to get a wonderful view of the square 🤩

A Trask

Google
Beautiful architecture, detailed exhibits and beautiful vistas to the surrounding city and mountains. We got hungry halfway through but ended up staying for another 45 minutes because there were that many good exhibits.

Wojtek

Google
The Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca offers a rich and immersive experience into the region’s diverse indigenous heritage, housed in the beautifully restored former monastery of Santo Domingo. Its extensive collection spans pre-Hispanic artifacts, colonial art, and ethnographic exhibits, including treasures from Monte Albán. The museum’s architectural setting and thoughtful curation make it a cultural landmark in Oaxaca.

Gus Gilder

Google
I don’t visit a great number of museums but I'm so glad I took the time to see this one. It's worth seeing just for the beautiful building itself, but some of the exhibits are stunning. You see amazing external views as well, including the botanical gardens. And all for just US $5.

JP W

Google
Magnificent collection of historical artifacts in a historic building. There was only one exhibit translated into English and it was my favorite, about the excavation of tomb 7 of Mount Albán. But don’t let this discourage you because this is an amazing place to see the mountains in the gardens and it gives you a new perspective..

Alyssa Butler

Google
Beautiful! Lots of interesting artifacts and beautiful Art work. The building and the views from the windows are breathtaking. Only $100 to enter. Great bookstore. Highly recommend.

Portpad Traveller

Google
An incredibly good, massive museum. My partner and I lost each other after about ten minutes. Allow about three hours for a good look and read of all the rooms and exhibits.

Joppe

Google
You have to visit this place if you're in Oaxaca! The building itself is a beautiful cathedral and monastery, with incredible frescos and a lovely courtyard. And the collection is incredibly interesting.
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James V.

Yelp
Gorgeous museum showcasing history in Oaxaca, from the indigenous Zapotec era through the Spanish colonization. The architecture is stunning and spacious. The exhibits are super organized and clean. Highly recommended and well worth the $5 admission fee. Clean restrooms as well.
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Julia V.

Yelp
Splendid in every way--a magnificent 16th century Baroque building, extraordinary views of gardens from the windows, breath-taking exhibits, including the permanent exhibit of the precious objects found in Tomb 7 at Monte Alban and a temporary textile exhibit of the work of Elena Martinez Bolio, a Yucatecan embroiderer, painter, weaver, and seamstress. She says her work is an homage to both traditional wisdom and new expressions. You can spend hours in these lovely, cool rooms.
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Chris A.

Yelp
If you're looking to learn and see all the beauty that Oaxaca has to offer this place is worth spending time in! I am so sad I didn't have a lot of time due to a dinner reservation but I'd definitely come back. So much rich Oaxacan history and beauty! From the adorning ornamentation used to decorate and the beautiful paintings on the walls, long hallways, modern exhibitions, to the views from each window, the central courtyard, and the adjoining botanical garden (separate entrance). I seriously was awestruck everywhere I looked.
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Osula L.

Yelp
Walked here on a Thursday afternoon in early July 2023. There was a line when we got there. Google maps says it closes at 3pm but the staff said it closes at 5pm. The facility was very beautiful. There weren't that many displays but the grounds were nice to walk around in. The gardens around the museum were gorgeous. It was a nice change in pace to the city. Make sure you use the restroom before leaving because if you leave you will not be able to get back into the building without a ticket. There is a paid restroom near the Oxxo across the street diagonally. It costs MX$10 but the machine provides change for bills up to MX$50. They also have free bag storage for all guests. Probably why the line was moving so slow to get into the museum. The museum does not have any kind of cafe or food sold.
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Alexis B.

Yelp
If you're visiting the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman, don't miss this great museum (housed in the former convent connected to the church). It's beautiful (amazing architecture, great views of the botanic gardens and the mountains surrounding Oaxaca) and houses a great collection of pre-Columban artifacts (many from nearby Monte Alban). There are large signs that provide English translation of all historical plaques in each room, so don't worry if your Spanish isn't great. We spent more time here than I had anticipated, and I wish we'd had more! It's a great museum, don't miss it when you're exploring Oaxaca!
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Oren P.

Yelp
The museum is inside a former convent. The entrance is to the left side of what seems like an active church - so don't get confused. No water is allowed inside. Admission is 90 Pesos - except on Sundays for local Mexicans with ID. There are various exhibits on different levels - with tickets scanned to enter the upper one. I actually thought the lower exhibit about dogs was more interesting - but it is only in Spanish. There is some signage in English in the upper exhibits - but not everywhere. The gardens are entered though a separate entrance outside. A gift shop is located near the entrance. There is no charge to use any of the restrooms. There are MANY uniformed police patrolling inside. Taking photographs is discouraged. There are optional paid selfie areas on the second level.
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Jamie A.

Yelp
This museum was on the majority of To Do lists for Oaxaca. Culture museums can be hit or miss, but it was sweltering hot out and my husband and I needed a break from walking in the intense sun. We paid the 70 pesos and said "no thank you" to some guides offering their services at the entryway. If you speak/read Spanish you prob won't need a guide as the placards are in Spanish. Some areas such as the well-organized Tomb 7 exhibition have explanations written in both English in Spanish. There were also a few interactive tablets where you can read about items found in the tomb in Spanish and English. I liked the installment at the bottom floor with the jade and explanation of its use in burials. (The famous jade skull is located within the Tomb 7 exhibit). From the minute my husband and I set foot inside, we were both really impressed with the architecture and enjoyed learning about the history of the Oaxacan state. There was information about everything including textiles/clothing, food, art, and religion relating to pre-hispanic and up to modern culture. It was our first time in Oaxaca and everything we learned at the Museo de las Culturas set us up for a strong understanding of what we viewed throughout our trip and at the Monte Alban ruins the next day. Other: - entrance is to the left of the Templo de Santo Domingo - housed in a former Dominican convent - you can easily spend 3 hours in here, wear your walking shoes and if you get lost in the hallways - it is the usual!
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Rebekah T.

Yelp
Beautifully historic and grand museum in Oaxaca that shares a lot of the cultural history of Oaxaca. The collection of art is vast and you can spend nearly 3-4 hours viewing. We decided to skip the scheduled tour and guide ourselves through this gorgeous structure, which was once the old convent of the Dominican order, next to the church of Santo Domingo. We visited the museum after the tour of Monte Alban, so we were able to see all of the collections of 14th Century items. The exhibit rooms contain displays from the stone era of hunters and gatherers, the first agricultural plants, early ceramics, the great treasure discovered in Tomb 7 of Monte Alban, to the recent renovation of the structure a few years ago. Being a fan of architecture, the historic old building blew me away. All of the details from the hallways, windows, the history and rich culture of Oaxaca. Great place to visit.
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Clare H.

Yelp
Interesting museum about some of the culture and history. Zapotec, Mixtec and the spiritual and cultural history dogs have in México. If you're visiting Monte Albán this is a perfect accompaniment as many of the artifacts are from Tomb 7. It ties it all together. There are limited signs with English translations so could be worth having a tour guide with you. You can see the botanical gardens from the windows too.
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Martin R.

Yelp
A must-visit in Oaxaca both for the objects it holds that span the history of the area from early cultures a thousand years BC, through the Spanish colonization. And the grandiose building, a restored convent, is alone worth the visit.