Top 5: Museums in Central America

Central America is a continent packed full of history and culture with plenty of museums to prove it. From Panama to Guatemala, various groups left their mark on the isthmus, from pre-Columbian civilizations to 20^th-century revolutionaries. The following are some of the best museums to learn about the tumultuous history of the continent.

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Museum of the Revolution, Nicaragua

The theme of social conflict is the focus of the Museum of the Revolution, which documents Nicaragua’s Sandinista uprising of the 1970s.

Ixchel Museum of Indigenous Textiles and Clothing, Guatemala

The Spanish Conquistadors conquered the Mayans in the 16th century, but their traditions remain strong in many parts of Guatemala. This museum displays a huge collection of textiles and jewelry from many different indigenous groups.

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Precolumbian Gold Museum, Costa Rica

Some of the 1,600 artifacts at this museum date back as far as 500 AD, and exhibit the fine gold craftsmanship of pre-Columbian civilizations.

Museo de Arte, El Salvador

The capital of El Salvador plays host to the country’s largest art museum which features work from artists local and international. Of particular interest is the collection of artwork made during El Salvador’s civil war from 1980–1992.

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Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum, Panama

The Panama Canal is an altogether more modern marvel and this museum explains the history and workings behind an amazing feat of engineering. Get to know the story behind the canal that changed the history of a country and world trade in general.