Cancun’s history museum scene is centered in one key spot: the Maya Museum of Cancun. The museum houses one of the most important collections of Maya artifacts, including pieces from ancient ruins, such as Chichén Itzá and the Palenque Archaeological Zone. From Maya calendars to ceremonial and domestic objects, you’ll learn about how the Maya civilization lived, worked, and celebrated.

Exploring Cancun art museums may not be what you expect. The city’s most famous art museum comes with one unique caveat: It’s underwater! The Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA) features more than 500 sculptures a few dozen feet below sea level at various sites. See them while snorkeling or diving, or opt for a glass-bottom boat tour, which allows you to view some of the art without going underwater.

One of the best museums in Cancun is the Mexican Folk Art Museum, located within the Xcaret eco-archaeological park. Spend the afternoon wandering the museum, which is set in a charming 19th-century hacienda, to explore Indigenous art from different regions of Mexico. Check out the colonial Mexican kitchen, home to Talavera ceramics, crucifixes, and masks. Then continue your adventure outdoors with ziplining, kayaking, swimming, and hiking opportunities.

The closest thing to a Cancun science museum, the Ka'Yok' Planetarium is perfect for families and people of all ages. The space has something for everyone: a planet room, a biodiversity wall that features photos and information about the region’s unique flora and fauna, an immersive dome to admire the constellations, and an observatory.

Quintana Roo’s Contemporary Art Museum is tucked away behind Cancun’s Sky Wheel in a recently renovated space that features modern art from icons like Salvador Dalí. Much of the art showcases colors and shapes that represent the Yucatan Peninsula, such as the colorful splattered paintings of Gabriel Ramirez Aznar and the mythical sea creature paintings from Damian Lescas.

Take a day trip south along the coast to reach Playa de Carmen, another beach hub home to some cultural gems, such as the Frida Kahlo Museum (not to be confused with the museum in Mexico City). Explore the audiovisual exhibits, which include things like clothing, personal objects, and furniture that belonged to the artist and offer insight into her life and career.

The Gastón Charó Art Gallery in Playa del Carmen was founded by artist Gastón Charó and features artwork from more than 40 diverse artists. In addition to paintings and sculptures, the gallery also offers jewelry, photographs, and more. Admire the vibrant, bright paintings by J. Vasta and modern acrylics by Chilean painter Vic, and make sure to stop and enjoy the artwork located outdoors at the gallery entrance.

A Playa del Carmen cultural spot perfect for foodies, the Choco-Story Museum focuses on the history and importance of chocolate, one of the most significant edible items in Maya culture. Through seven rooms of interactive exhibits and information, you’ll begin to understand that chocolate wasn’t just a sweet treat for the Maya; it was a ceremonial and sacred substance with a spiritual purpose. Indigenous people would mix it with chile and water, drinking it to connect with the divine.