The East Cape town of El Triunfo may be small, but it is big on culture. The historic mining town is surprisingly home to a handful of museums nestled into the picturesque streets of colonial buildings. For more information about enjoying a day trip to El Triunfo, read our article.
The Museum of the Vaqueros of California
The Museum of the Vaqueros of California (MuVaCa) is the newest museum in El Triunfo, opened in 2024. The bilingual, multi-media museum tells stories about the origins of the vaquero and ranchero culture in California (Alta and Baja) over the last 300 years. There’s space for a temporary exhibit which is currently housing an exhibit about the history, culture, and traditions of the Chinese community. The museum has a gift shop as well as a café, Las Alforjas, serving traditional ranch food.
DBTC Insider Tip: There is a discounted rate of admission if you wish to visit both MuVaCa and the Museo Ruta de Plata.
Museum of the Vaqueros of California (MuVaCa)
Calle Ayuntamiento (between Gral. Márquez de León and Minero Num. 1)
tel. 011-52-612-218-8178
www.muvaca.com
Open 10am-5pm Wed.-Mon.
100 pesos entrance fee
Museo Ruta de Plata
Opened in 2018, the Museo Ruta de Plata is a beautiful new museum and cultural museum that tells the history of the mine and the region through interactive exhibits that will bring to life the rich history of the area. The museum features a short video and interactive exhibits explaining the rich history of the region from 1750 to 1930. There’s a small wine cellar serving wine and beer on the weekends. The museum is on the same property as Bar El Minero and shares a courtyard with the restaurant.
DBTC Insider Tip: Be sure to also take a walk around the historic mining grounds and smokestack of La Romana right down the street to get a full appreciation of the mining history of the town.
Museo Ruta de Plata
Calle Ayuntamiento
tel. 011-52-612-229-5587
www.museorutadeplata.com
Open 10am-5pm Wed.-Mon.
100 pesos entrance fee
Museo de la Música
During the prosperous years of El Triunfo, the town was a cultural center and for music and dance. The old Museo de la Música (music museum) is still in town, housed in a white and amber colonial building on the east side of Mexico 1. The museum exhibits pianos and other instruments that were shipped to El Triunfo from Europe and all over the world during its prime. Pianist Francisca Mendoza would entertain wealthy patrons with concerts during El Triunfo’s heyday. The Museo de la Música was opened in 2003 to honor that heritage.
DBTC Insider Tip: Unfortunately, the curator of the museum, Nicolás Carrillo, (affectionately known as “The Liberace of Baja”) passed away a few years ago, and the museum has not been well taken care of since then although it still offers a unique look at the cultural past of El Triunfo.
Museo de la Música
Hwy Mexico 1
Open 8am-2pm daily
20 pesos entrance fee