Top Art Museums in Puerto Rico

You’ll find a variety of art waiting to be enjoyed as you move throughout the Island — from murals to art galleries to museums.

Whether you want to appreciate historic European art or contemporary artists, there’s an art museum on the Island that’s worth your time. If you are an art lover who admires talent and searches for creativity and inspiration during your vacation, plan to visit one (or more) of these five museums during your trip.

Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico

Santurce, San Juan

Located in San Juan, the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico is one of the most important arts and cultural destinations on the Island, and one of the largest in the Caribbean. Known for showcasing artwork from a wide variety of local masters, and spanning historical periods from the 17th century to contemporary work, the MAPR has 24 galleries, a craft workshop area for children, a restaurant, a gift shop, and a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden. The exhibits change throughout the year and include a variety of styles and media.

Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico

Santurce, San Juan

Very close to the MAPR in the heart of Santurce neighborhood, you’ll find the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico. The historical building that once was a public school features two floors filled with galleries showcasing contemporary artwork using mixed and multi-media. The space aims to encourage multidisciplinary experiences and the appreciation of art from the Caribbean and Latin American perspectives.

Interior courtyard of the Museo de las Americas museum in San Juan. — Courtyard of the Museo de las Américas at the Cuartel de Ballajá in San Juan.

Museo de las Américas

Old San Juan

From Alaska to Patagonia and back to the Caribbean, the Museo de las Américas aims to provide a place where the work of artists from North, South, and Central America can all cohabitate. Located in the historical Cuartel de Ballajá in Old San Juan, the architecture of the building is fascinating in its own right (don’t miss a photo op in its dramatic courtyard). The permanent and seasonal exhibitions gather art from the pre-Columbian era to the present, explore the roles of Indigenous and African peoples in the colonization process, and often hosts workshops and conferences.

The Museo de Arte de Ponce has more than 4,500 works of art.

Museo de Arte de Ponce

Ponce

The south side of the Island’s most notable art museum includes thousands of pieces from Europe, Latin America, and Puerto Rico as part of its permanent exhibitions. Baroque art and Victorian paintings enlighten its galleries, alongside ancient pottery pieces, sculptures, and more. You can’t leave the Museo de Arte de Ponce without enjoying the magnificent painting "Flaming June" by Lord Frederic Leighton (1895), and pieces from well-known Puerto Rican painters José Campeche and Francisco Oller.

While you’re in the area, consider a visit to other local landmarks such as the Castillo Serallés and the Casa Paoli to learn more about life on the Island.

Note: The Museo de Arte de Ponce is currently closed to the public due to reconstruction work.

Museo de Arte y Diseño de Miramar

607 Calle Cuevillas, San Juan, PR 00907

A new museum and cultural space has been recently born in the Miramar metro-district, dedicated to the disciplines of decorative arts, plastic art, and local and international design. What was once a legendary family’s house, the Museo de Arte y Diseño de Miramar, now aims to inspire through art, invention, innovation, and creativity as engines of social wellness. Its shop offers products made in Puerto Rico and it also has an event space as well.