The museum houses a famous painting by Francisco Oller called El Velorio (The Wake) which alone would justify your visit. The painting depicts the wake of a child's funeral, with the visitors having a gala while the parents mourn. One of the few early impressionistxa0painters of Puerto Rico, Oller painted El Velorio in 1893—it’s one of few of his paintings to survive.
The Museum of History, Anthropology and Art is located on the campus of the University of Puerto Rico in the Rio Piedras district of San Juan. Take the Tren Urbano metro to the UPR station. The university is right outside the metro exit. From Old San Juan, take the T3 or E10 bus to Sagrado Corazon where you can catch the metro to the university.
The museum is open every day except Saturday, from morning until evening. It remains closed on Saturdays and local holidays. Weather year-round on the island is pleasant. Peak season runs from December through March. An ideal time to visit is mid-April to June, when the crowds have left.
A great complement to this Museum is to visit the impressive Art Museum of Puerto Rico in San Juan’s hip Santurce district, which showcases artworks from the 17th century to the present. Highlights include painting, sculpture, photography, and new media from local modern and contemporary masters including Antonio Martorell, Lorenzo Homar, and José Campeche.
