Chilean National Museum of Natural History Museum

Address: Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Quinta Normal, Santiago, Chile

Website: http://www.mnhn.cl/

Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mondays (verify current hours)

Admission: Free to enter main museum areas (special exhibitions may charge)

The Chilean National Museum of Natural History (Museo Nacional de Historia Natural) is a national museum in Santiago that documents Chile’s natural heritage through collections of fossils, specimens and scientific exhibits. The institution was founded in the 19th century and serves as Chile’s principal natural history museum.

Permanent displays cover geology and paleontology, zoology and botany, with specimens illustrating Chile’s varied ecosystems from deserts to southern forests. The museum also runs educational programmes and temporary exhibitions aimed at public science communication.

The museum was established in the 1800s as part of the development of national scientific institutions and has continued to expand collections and research activities since then.

It is located in Quinta Normal Park, west of central Santiago, within a cluster of cultural institutions and public green space.

• Location and audience: Located within Quinta Normal Park, the museum is centrally accessible from Santiago and frequently visited by school groups for its educational programmes.
• Institutional history: One of Chile’s oldest natural history museums, it was established in the early 19th century and continues to curate national scientific collections.

What to See#

• Paleontology and geology galleries: Paleontology and geology galleries present regional fossil collections and display specimens relevant to Chile’s geological history.
• Zoology and botany exhibits: Zoology and botany exhibits focus on Chilean biodiversity, with specimens and displays covering endemic species and ecological regions of the country.
• Temporary and educational galleries: Hands-on and temporary exhibition spaces are used for rotating displays and educational programmes aimed at schools and families.

Located in Quinta Normal park, the museum is accessible by Santiago Metro (Line 5 to Quinta Normal station) and by multiple bus routes. The park area is walkable and signposted from nearby stations.

• Plan at least two hours to view the natural history collections and temporary exhibits.
• Check whether English labels are available for key paleontology and biodiversity displays.
• Combine with a visit to Santiago's Quinta Normal park for a green break.