Located in the Santurce barrio of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico (Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, or MAPR) offers a rich look into art and culture. Housed in a historic 1920 building originally designed by architect William H. Shimmelphening, the site formerly served as the San Juan Municipal Hospital before housing government offices.
Rather than demolishing the structure, it was incorporated into the modern museum facility after the project was conceptualized in 1995 through the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico. Today, you can explore its 18 exhibition halls and a massive permanent collection distributed across 24 galleries on the building's third and fourth levels. Beyond its gallery spaces, the museum also hosts unique educational programming and events, such as Wikipedia editing workshops designed to expand the digital coverage of Puerto Rican art, history, and culture.
Whether you are interested in regional history or historic architecture, this museum delivers an authentic cultural stop in San Juan.
What to see at Puerto Rico Museum of Art
- Housed in a historic 1920 former municipal hospital building
- Features 18 exhibition halls to explore
- Permanent collection displayed across 24 galleries on the 3rd and 4th levels
- Hosts educational cultural events and history-focused community programs
Visiting tips
Be sure to head up to the third and fourth levels of the building to view the museum's extensive permanent collection across its 24 galleries.
How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Puerto Rico Museum of Art is easy to reach on San Juan’s public transport, and pairs naturally with La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our San Juan travel guide.
See the full San Juan travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.