Local tips | How to make the most of your visit
1. Start early—really early
The Museum of Anthropology opens at 8am, and it’s best to be there by 8:30–9am latest. The entrance lines get long after 10am, especially on weekends and holidays. Early birds also get emptier galleries, especially for rooms like the Aztec Hall and Maya Hall.
Most people enter from Paseo de la Reforma, but if you’re coming on foot or by Uber, ask your driver to drop you at Calzada Mahatma Gandhi. This back entrance is calmer, shadier, and closer to the ticket counters. It also puts you right near the main courtyard fountain.
3. Pair it with Chapultepec Castle—but not in a rush
If you're planning to visit both the Museum of Anthropology and Chapultepec Castle, don’t cram them into the same morning. The museum easily takes 2.5–3 hours if done properly. The castle involves a steep uphill walk and at least 1.5–2 hours to explore, plus photo stops. Either split them across morning and afternoon (with lunch at El Lago or Tamayo) or do one per day.
4. Eat inside the park, not outside
There’s a small café inside the museum with basic snacks. But for a real meal, walk 5 minutes into Chapultepec Park. Locals love El Lago Restaurante, right by the lake, for a fancy lunch with a view. Or try Casa D’ Italia on Gandhi for excellent pasta and no tourist markup. Avoid the overpriced spots directly outside on Reforma—they're there for convenience, not taste.
5. Need the restroom? Go before you enter
Sounds small, but worth knowing: there are no bathrooms inside the exhibit halls. The restrooms are all near the entrance and the courtyard. Go before you start your visit or you’ll have to double back through the halls.