Museum of Paleontology

Located in the state of São Paulo, the Marília Paleontology Museum (Museu de Paleontologia de Marília) offers a unique window into Brazil's prehistoric past. This specialized scientific center in the city of Marília is one of the few in the country entirely dedicated to the study of ancient life forms that inhabited the region about 70 million years ago.

Museum of Paleontology of Marília. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The museum's collection includes more than 2,000 fossil remains, including bones of giant dinosaurs, ancient crocodiles, turtles, and fish from the Cretaceous period. The pride of the exhibition is the discovery of local species, such as the crocodylomorph Mariliasuchus amarali and rare bird fossils that attract the attention of scientists from all over the world.

For visitors, the museum serves not only as a repository of antiquities but also as an important educational space. Here, you can see a real dinosaur femur measuring 1.1 meters long and even touch a piece of history preserved in the region's soil, which perfectly fossilized traces of life from the Mesozoic Era.

If you are planning a visit to the Marília Paleontology Museum, we recommend checking the visit details in advance using the contacts provided below. The museum is conveniently located in the central part of the city, making it accessible for most tourists.

A visit to the museum offers a fascinating immersion into the world of paleoart and real scientific discoveries. Guests can explore the rich exhibition featuring skulls and even fossilized eggs of prehistoric crocodiles. One of the most memorable experiences for visitors is the chance to touch an authentic dinosaur bone, feeling the scale of the creatures that once roamed these lands.

Interactive panels provide detailed information about the excavation process and why the terrain around Marília is so rich in finds. You will learn how the construction of roads and buildings helps scientists discover new species of ancient animals. If you are lucky, you might get to chat with museum staff who have personally participated in many expeditions and can share stories about finding the "Dino-Titan."

For families with children, the museum serves as an excellent educational platform where the planet's history comes to life through visual reconstructions and original artifacts. It is an ideal place for those who want to see what the territory of Brazil looked like 70 million years ago.

The museum is easy to find, as it is located in the very center of the city at Av. Sampaio Vidal, 245. If you are arriving in Marília by car from São Paulo or other major cities, the main routes are the SP-294 or SP-333 highways, which lead directly to the central districts.

For those who prefer public transport, it is most convenient to take a bus to the main terminal in the center. From there, the museum is only a 10–15 minute walk. Taxi and Uber services also work excellently in the city; a trip from Marília Airport (located about 15 km away) will take approximately 20 minutes.

Parking spaces are available near the entrance, and for accurate navigation, it is best to use Google Maps to quickly find the building in the Centro district.

The history of this scientific institution began long before its official opening. Back in 1993, paleontologist William Nava discovered the first dinosaur bone in the Padre Nóbrega district, causing a real sensation. News of this event was broadcast on the country's main television channel, and the legendary presenter Cid Moreira announced the find to all of Brazil, establishing the city of Marília as an important scientific hub.

Officially, the Marília Paleontology Museum was established in 2003 and opened its doors to the general public in November 2004. Over the past two decades, the small collection has grown into a large-scale assembly recognized both nationally and internationally. In 2013, to mark the 20th anniversary of the first find, the local post office even issued a special commemorative stamp and postmark.

The museum's international acclaim was further confirmed in 2024 when research results on the fossils of the ancient bird Navaornis hestiae, found by museum staff, were published in the prestigious journal Nature. This discovery was a major contribution to the understanding of avian evolution and proved once again that the region is a true "window to the past" thanks to its unique carbonate soils.

Most visitors need about 1.5–2 hours to leisurely browse all the display cases, study the information boards, and take souvenir photos with the ancient exhibits. This is plenty of time to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Mesozoic Era and appreciate the significance of the discoveries on display.

If you are a science enthusiast or plan to discuss the exhibits in detail with the curators, your visit might last a bit longer. Thanks to its compact location in the city center, a visit to the museum can easily be combined with a walk through the central streets of Marília.

When planning your trip to the Marília Paleontology Museum, please take note of its operating hours. From Tuesday to Friday, the museum doors are open to visitors from 09:00 to 17:00. On Saturday, the museum operates on a reduced schedule — from 13:00 to 17:00.

Monday and Sunday are closing days. As operating hours may change during holidays, tourists are advised to check for the latest information on official resources or clarify details by phone before visiting.

A stroll around Sampaio Vidal Avenue will allow you to better feel the city's atmosphere and see life in Marília from different perspectives. The central district is rich in small historical monuments and themed areas that are convenient to visit right after exploring the dinosaur halls.

Below are some interesting sites located near the museum: