Museums have just started to reopen again in Manila at a restricted capacity, with limits on the number of visitors and online reservations systems in place. One of the country’s top museums that recently reopened is the National Museum of Natural History, one of the three main museums inside the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) complex, which also includes the Museum of Fine Arts and Museum of Anthropology.

My last visit to the Museum of Natural History was before the pandemic hit, but I’m sharing the latest guidelines and new features as of June 2021 for reference for those who are looking for somewhere new to go in the metro.

With museums closed for more than a year now, those who have never been here and those who have been vaccinated already may be eager to revisit museums once again.

As of June 2021, the National Museums are accepting visitors above 15 years old and fully vaccinated senior citizens with a limit of 100 people per session per museum. Children below 15 years old are still not yet allowed to visit museums as of this writing. 

P.S. All photos were taken before the pandemic. Visitors must now wear face masks and face shields while inside the museum during their visits.

Location

The National Museum Complex can be found within Rizal Park in Manila. The National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Anthropology, and National Museum of Natural History are all walking distance from each other.

Visiting Schedule

• Tuesdays – Sundays only (closed on Mondays)
• 9:00 am to 12 pm (AM Session) – cut off time is 11 am
• 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm (PM Session) – cut off time is 3 pm
• Visitors shall be limited to 100 per museum per session

Online Booking

• Visitors are required to pre-book online at https://reservation.nationalmuseum.gov at least a day before the visit.
• Confirmation of booking will be sent through email
• Group reservations are limited to five (5) persons only
• Walk-in visitors will NOT be accommodated.

Who can visit

• Persons aged 15 years old and above
• Senior Citizens who are fully vaccinated
• Persons with disabilities
• All visitors are required to present a valid ID with birthdate

Staying safe in the museum

• A temperature scan is required upon entry in each building.
• Persons with temperature of 37.5 and above will not be admitted.
• Persons with COVID 19 symptoms will not be admitted.
• A Health Declaration Form must be filled up before entering the museum. This may be done online through the StaySafePh mobile application.
• Face masks and face shields must be worn at all times within the museum.
• Social distancing of at least 2 meters between persons not belonging to the same household must be observed at all times.
• Visitors are allowed to bring their own sanitizing kits (small bottles of alcohol, small spray bottles, and tissue paper).
• Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the premises.
• Handwashing facilities will be available in all comfort rooms.
• Use of elevators shall only be allowed for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
• Guided tours are not allowed.

Self-guided Rizal Trail

A new feature at the National Museum complex is a DIY Rizal trail, which was launched in honor of Jose Rizal’s 160th birth anniversary last Saturday (June 19), when the museums reopened. The self-guided trail highlights museum collections about Dr. Rizal.

Galleries

The National Museum of Natural History has six floors with the “Tree of Life” as the atrium’s centerpiece and main feature.

• First Floor: Tree of Life foyer (Introduction to the Museum), Lower Entrance Hall, Lower Courtyard, Education and Function Halls, Visitor Services
• Second Floor: Gallery XI (Our Natural Inheritance), Gallery XII (Temporary Exhibitions), Upper Entrance Hall, Upper Courtyard, Reception Hall
• Third Floor: Gallery IX (Mangroves, Beaches and Intertidal Zones), Gallery X (The Marine Realm)

• Fourth Floor: Gallery V (Mossy, Montane and Pine Forests), Gallery VI (Lowland Evergreen Rainforests), Gallery VII (Ultramafic and Limestone Karst Forests), Gallery VIII (Freshwater Wetlands)
• Fifth Floor: Gallery I (Philippine Biodiversity), Gallery II (The Geology of the Philippines), Gallery III (Minerals and Energy Resources), Gallery IV (Life Through Time)
• Sixth Floor: Roof Garden, Function Halls, National Museum Conference Center

What not to bring

• The following items are not permitted inside the museum buildings:
• Art materials (including ink pens) other than pencils
• Bags larger than 33 x 43 cm.
• Backpacks, baby backpack carriers, long umbrellas or other bulky items
• Food and drink
• Plants, flowers or other organic materials
• Tripods and video cameras
• Wrapped packages including gifts
• Pets

Rates

FREE! There is no entrance fee to visit the National Museums all-year around. This applies to both Filipino and foreign visitors.

Address & contact info

The National Museum of Natural History is located along Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park, T.M. Kalaw Street, corner General Luna Street, Manila.

For more information, please contact 82981100 local 3000, 85277889, or send your inquiries through emails cmvod@nationalmuseum.ph or inquiry@nationalmuseumph.gov.ph.