A serious natural history research museum with a botanical garden and a zoo of Amazonian wildlife.
The natural history collection inside the museum building includes indigenous artifacts, fossil specimens, and extensive documentation of Amazonian biodiversity. It is a genuine research institution — the Goeldi researchers have described thousands of new species — and the exhibits reflect that seriousness.
Mornings are best for the animals, which are more active before the midday heat. The grounds are spacious and shaded, making this a reasonable place to spend a couple of hours even if you are not usually drawn to museums.
A story
Founded in 1866, the Goeldi Museum is both a working scientific institution and one of the best places in Brazil to see Amazonian fauna up close. The grounds hold manatees in a large tank, sloths, jaguars, tapirs, giant otters, anacondas, and hundreds of bird species. The botanical garden section is equally impressive — enormous Victoria amazonica water lilies float in the ponds, and towering Brazil-nut trees shade the paths.