From the pets of Palacio Nacional to the preferred companions of Mexican intellectuals like Elena Poniatowska and Carlos Monsiváis, cats have played a significant role in Mexican history. So it’s no surprise that a sanctuary devoted to them has just opened its doors at Reforma 87, Mexico City.
Here’s everything you need to know about the city’s new Museo del Gato.
Before the cat museum
Like any good project, the Museo del Gato de Ciudad de México has been slow-cooked and shape-shifted throughout the years. Esther Garcilita and Marco Sotomayor founded “La Gatería” in 2015, a cat café inspired by Japanese coffee shops where you can have a drink among felines.
As the first cat café in Latin America, La Gatería was nothing short of groundbreaking and built a loyal following. Part of its objective was to debunk some of the most common misconceptions about cats.
Over the next decade, the concept evolved into a much more extensive experience: a museum dedicated to cats.
Museo del Gato de Ciudad de México
Now you will not only enjoy their company, but also learn everything you’ve always wanted to know about these cute yet fierce animals. The museum offers guided tours led by its mascot, a calico named Sissi.
Along the way, you’ll find art and history presented as an immersive experience that fills the senses with everything the feline universe has to offer. There are three thematic rooms dedicated to the history of cats, the feline language and their relationship with humans.
Needless to say, the Cat Museum is not a conventional one. Its founders prioritized an interactive experience, complete with gigantic animatronic cats, projection mapping and a virtual reality simulator that allows guests to see through the eyes of a cat.
More than a museum
@cdmxsecreta 🐾 ¡EL PRIMER MUSEO DEL GATO LLEGA A CDMX! 🇲🇽✨ ¿Eres el michi-lover número uno? 🤩 Tienes que conocer el nuevo @elmuseodelgatomx ♬ sonido original – CDMX Secreta
Beyond revolutionizing the Mexico City museum scene, the Museo del Gato directly supports animal welfare. A portion of ticket proceeds will fund a mobile spay-and-neuter unit for stray cats and dogs, helping humanely manage the city’s street animal population.
Everything you need to know
Planning your visit? Here are all the essential details to make sure you don’t miss out on this unique experience:
-
When does it open? The museum officially opened its doors to the public on Aug. 8.
-
Where is it located? You can find the museum at Paseo de la Reforma 87, 4th floor, Colonia Tabacalera, Alcaldía Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City.
-
What are the opening hours? Monday to Friday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
-
Ticket prices and where to buy them: General admission is 350 pesos Monday through Thursday and 385 pesos Friday through Sunday. Tickets can be purchased through the official museum website or via the Fever platform.
-
Access policy: To ensure a comfortable and personalized tour, entry is limited to small groups of up to 60 people per hour. It is highly recommended to book your time slot in advance.
Lydia Leija is a linguist, journalist and visual storyteller. She has directed three feature films, and her audiovisual work has been featured in national and international media. She’s been part of National Geographic, Muy Interesante and Cosmopolitan.
