Museums of Barranquilla

Location:
Barranquilla, Colombia

Museum

By Lorraine Caputo

Hide away in the air conditioned comfort of Barranquilla’s many museums:

Museo Romántico: Barranquilla`s history and culture is presented here. Monday-Friday 8: 15 a.m.-noon, 2-6 p.m. Carrera 54 59-199, El Prado, Tel.: 5-344-4591. Entry: $2.65 adults, $1.60 children and students

Museo de Arte Moderno: Temporary exhibits plus permanent ones of nationally renowned contemporary artists. Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 3-7 p.m. Carrera 56 74-22, El Prado, Tel.: 5-360, 9952. Entry: depends on the exhibit

Museo Antropológico: Located in the Fine Arts school, this museum displays murals, paintings and pre-Columbian statuary. Carrera 54 and Calle 68, El Prado, Tel.: 5-358-8489

Planetario: Learn more about the universe in which we live at Barranquilla’s planetarium. Wednesday 6:30-8:30 p.m., Saturday 5-8:30 p.m. Carreras 43 63B-77, Tel.: 5-351-7700 / 368-2928

Museo del Caribe: In the Parque Cultural del Caribe, this museum is scheduled to officially open in September 2008. It will present all you need to know about the nature, people and culture of Colombia’s Caribbean region, from the Chocó to the Guajira. Calle 36 46-66, Tel.: 5-372-0581, E-mail: comunicaciones@culturacaribe.org, Web: www.culturacaribe.org

Antiguo Edificio de la Aduana: Designed by English architect Leslie Arbouin and built in 1919, this former customs house presently is home to historical and musical archives. Adjacent is the former Montoya railway station, now a train museum. Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Vía 40 36-135, Tel.: 5-330-3300 / 330-3701

Travel Tips: The Museo del Caribe and Antiguo Edificio de la Aduana are located in a rather undesirable neighborhood. It is best to arrive by taxi ($2.50).

Travel Skills: None

Drop in on the critters at the Jardín Zoológico; take the train to the mouth of the Río Magdalena; swim at Puerto Colombia’s beaches; ramble the villages, beaches and petroglyphs of Tubará.

Currencies accepted
Colombian Peso