Museum
Museo de La Plata
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The Museo de La Plata is one of the most important natural history museums in South America, a grand, late-19th-century institution in the city of La Plata, near Buenos Aires, and part of the National University of La Plata. Behind its distinctive oval, neoclassical facade lie vast collections spanning palaeontology, zoology, anthropology, geology, and botany. It's especially renowned for its dinosaur and prehistoric-mammal skeletons (including South America's remarkable extinct megafauna like giant ground sloths and glyptodonts), drawn from Patagonia and beyond.
For families and anyone interested in natural history, it's a treasure house, atmospheric old galleries packed with fossils, taxidermy, and artefacts. It sits within the leafy Paseo del Bosque park. La Plata itself, a planned city, is an easy day trip from Buenos Aires. Allow a couple of hours to wander the halls.
Don't miss
- Dinosaur and prehistoric-mammal skeletons
- South American extinct megafauna (giant sloths, glyptodonts)
- The grand oval neoclassical building
- Anthropology, geology, and zoology collections
- Its setting in the Paseo del Bosque park
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Museo de La Plata
You can visit on your own (modest paid entry). A tour adds transport and a guide, or combines nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inPuerto Plata City Tour4.8★ · 217 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$50 per personSee dates →
Most bookedPuerto Plata City Tours4.7★ · 678 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$55 per personSee dates →
Private & flexiblePrivate Guided Tour: Explore Puerto Plata’s Rich History!4.9★ · 11 travelers2–4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$55 per personSee dates →Good for
How travelers rate it
Know before you go
- Famous for South America's extinct megafauna and dinosaur fossils.
- It's an easy day trip from Buenos Aires.
- Set in the leafy Paseo del Bosque park, combine with a walk.
- The atmospheric old galleries are a draw in themselves.
A bit of history
Founded in 1884 and opened in its purpose-built home in 1888, the museum grew from the collections of naturalist Francisco P. Moreno. It became a cornerstone of Argentine science and the National University of La Plata, renowned for its palaeontological discoveries from Patagonia.
Common questions
What is the Museo de La Plata?
One of South America's most important natural history museums, in La Plata near Buenos Aires, renowned for its palaeontology, dinosaurs and South America's extinct megafauna, and its grand 19th-century building.
Can I visit from Buenos Aires?
Yes, La Plata is about an hour away by car, train, or bus, making the museum an easy day trip.
Is it good for families?
Very, the dinosaur and prehistoric-mammal skeletons and packed natural-history galleries are a hit with children.
Where is it?
In the leafy Paseo del Bosque park in La Plata, part of the National University of La Plata.
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