The National Museum of Natural History Is Now Open!

The National Museum of Natural History (Filipino: Pambansang Museo ng Likas na Kasaysayan) in Manila is one of the best museums in the Philippines. It's now open to the public and entrance is absolutely FREE!

Recently, we visited the National Museum of Natural History. It is hosted inside the building formerly occupied by the Department of Tourism within Rizal Park near Agrifina Circle. As we expected, there's a long line of visitors at the main entrance. Most of the visitors were students from colleges and universities in Metro Manila. Bring more patience if you are planning to visit the National Museum of Natural History.

Upon entering the gate, the guard checked our bags. Please make sure to bring a valid id and vaccination card. If you are going in a group, let one of the members fill up the registration book. After that, we went to the baggage counter to leave our bags. Make sure to bring your essential belongings like a smartphone, camera and wallet.

The National Museum of the Philippines houses the country's largest botanical/plant collection repository. You can also find here the vast collection of land and water animal specimens from all over the archipelago.

On the other hand, the Geology Division of the National Museum showcase of collection of Philippine rocks, minerals and fossils through the collection, exchange, or donation.

On the first floor, you can find the lower entrance hall, lower courtyard, education and function halls as well the "Tree of Life Foyer which will give you an introduction to the Museum.

On the second floor, you can find the Temporary Exhibitions, Our Natural Inheritance, Reception Hall, Upper Courtyard and Upper Hall.

On the third floor, you can find the Mangroves, Beaches, Intertidal Zones, and The Marine Realm. The Freshwater Wetlands, Ultramafic and Limestone Karts Forests, Lowland Evergreen Rainforests, and Mossy, Montane and Pine Trees are now open to the public.

The Philippine Biodiversity, The Geology of the Philippines, Life Through Time and Minerals and Energy Resource are located on the fifth floor which is now yet open to the public.

One of the main attractions in the museum is" Lolong". He's the world's largest saltwater crocodile ever caught and placed in captivity(Crocodylus porosus) measured at 6.17 m (20 ft 3 in), and weighed 1,075 kg (2,370 lb).

Travel Guide / Tips

• Selfie sticks and monopods and tripods are not allowed inside the museum. 
• Please wear decent clothes. 
• Please make sure your camera and smartphone have enough memory and battery.
• Food and bottled water are not allowed.
• Please don't create too much noise.
• It's advisable not to touch anything in every displayed art.
• Come early as you can
• Avoid bringing large bags

Aside from the National Museum of Natural History, don't forget to visit the National Museum of Anthropology and the National Museum of Fine Arts. These two museum offers FREE entrance.

For those who will visit the museum, please take time to read the information that is posted on each gallery. It will help you to understand the Philippine Biodiversity and to educate some important information about floras and faunas, mostly found nowhere else. Taking photos is not wrong but please be mindful of those who take time to read what is written on each specimen. Please take time to look and appreciate each artwork.

How To Get To the National Museum of Natural History

From the CaMaNaVa* ( Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) area:

Option 1. From Monumento, take an LRT 1 Yellow Line going to Taft and get down at the United Nations station. Walk going right around 5-10 minutes walk.

Option 2. From Monumento, ride a jeepney along Rizal Avenue bound for Taft Avenue and ask to be dropped near National Museum.

From the south (Pasay, Makati, Paranaque and more southern areas):

Option 1. Ride an FX or bus bound for Manila City Hall or Lawton and get down at Luneta. Then walk for around 5-10 minutes going to the National Museum.

Option 2. From SM Mall of Asia or along Taft Avenue, take a jeepney bound for Divisoria either via Taft or Mabini route. Get down at Luneta. Then walk for around 5-10 minutes going to the National Museum.

Option 3. Ride the LRT 1 Yellow Line bound for United Nations Station and get down at United Nations Station and walk towards  National Museum.

Option 4. Around Makati and Pasay, ride Libertad-LRT or Buendia-LRT bound jeepneys or Ayala-Leveriza bound buses and get down at the LRT station. Ride either an LRT or jeepney along Taft Avenue and get down at United Nations Station. Then walk for around 5-10 minutes going to the National Museum.

Option 5. Along Roxas Boulevard, there is FX which is Sucat-Lawton. You can ride this and ask to be dropped off at Luneta. Then walk for around 5-10 minutes going to the National Museum.

National Museum of Natural History

Operation hours-  10:00 am - 5:00 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Contact Information: ASBMD, National Museum Central Office; 527-4192
Email: nm_asbmd@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph