Above: the MUPANAH museum in Haiti
It isn’t the first thing you think about when you visit the Caribbean. But the Caribbean actually has a large number of high-quality museums featuring art, culture, history and more. From smaller art institutions to large-scale national galleries, there’s something for everyone (even a Museum of Rum). Here are seven great museums to check out next time you’re in the region. Of course, this isn’t a complete list of all the best museums in the Caribbean — simply a sample of museums worth a visit. What’s your favourite Caribbean museum? Tell us in the comments section.
MUPANAH, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
From housing the purported anchor from Columbus’ Santa Maria to offering a fascinating look at the history of the Caribbean’s oldest independent country, the Musee du Pantheon National Haitien is a must-visit for any Caribbean enthusiast.
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico — San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan is another Caribbean art capital. The 13-year-old Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico has more than 130,000 square feet of space, and surveys more than four centuries of Puerto Rican art.
Museo de Arte Moderno — Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
It’s called the Museum of Modern Art, but the Museo de Arte Moderno is truly a tour through almost two centuries of Dominican art.
National Museum and Art Gallery – Port of Spain, Trinidad
Located in the heart of downtown Port of Spain, the National Museum has a diverse collection ranging from local art to artifacts of the country’s longtime oil and gas trade.
National Gallery of Jamaica – Kingston, Jamaica
This is the oldest public gallery in the English-speaking Caribbean. But it keeps up with the times, managing to host a number of up-to-the-minute exhibitions while maintaining what is a solid collection of centuries of Jamaican art and culture.
Musee du Rhum Saint-James, Saint-Marie, Martinique
This is the Caribbean’s Museum of Rum. The museum, which was created at the Saint James distillery in 1981, is an homage to the West Indies’ most popular spirit. The collection of old distilling equipment is simply sensational.
National Art Gallery of the Bahamas – Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau is one of the region’s top destinations for art, and the relatively new NAGB is the place to go to see a wonderful collection of Bahamian works.