Founded in 1866 as the Pará Museum of Natural History and Ethnography, the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (commonly shortened to MPEG) is a historic research institution and museum in Belém, Pará, Brazil. Later named after Swiss naturalist Émil August Goeldi, it stands as the main research center on natural systems and sociocultural processes of the Brazilian Amazon. When you visit, you will encounter an officially protected site, recognized for its historic, artistic, architectural, and landscape value by both national and state heritage institutes.
You should explore this essential destination to gain public awareness of science and dive deep into the rich biological and sociocultural diversity of the Amazon Basin. The complex features a botanical garden and a zoological park, alongside extensive world-class scientific collections. Inside, you can discover incredible human science exhibits, including lithic and ceramic artifacts from an archaeological collection of over 120,000 pieces, plus ethnographic items representing indigenous cultures from Brazil, Africa, Peru, and Suriname.
Nature enthusiasts will appreciate vast collections spanning Amazonian flora, paleontology, mineralogy, and zoology, which features over 150,000 vertebrate samples and more than 1 million invertebrate specimens. It offers a rare, comprehensive look at Amazonian history and science.
What to see at Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi
- Explore the botanical garden and zoological park set in historic protected grounds.
- View archaeological treasures, including ancient lithic and ceramic artifacts.
- See ethnographic collections representing indigenous cultures of Brazil, Peru, Suriname, and Africa.
- Learn about Amazonian fauna across vast vertebrate and invertebrate zoological collections.
Visiting tips
Take your time exploring the protected architectural and landscape ensemble to fully appreciate the Amazon's rich natural and cultural history.
How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi is easy to reach on Belém’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Theatro da Paz and Basilica of Our Lady of Nazareth of Exile. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Belém travel guide.
See the full Belém travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.