Exhibitions

The Museum features two permanent exhibition halls that offer a comprehensive overview of the history of the Bocas del Toro province, spanning from the Pre-Columbian period to the Republican era. Through its curated content, the museum highlights the collective effort and contributions of the various communities that have shaped the social, economic, and cultural development of the region.

Additionally, the Museum includes an area for temporary exhibitions and an auditorium designed as a space for cultural expression, hosting musical performances, debates, film screenings, and artistic gatherings.

Prominent Figures

Through permanent exhibitions in the Museographic Gallery located on the upper floor and temporary exhibitions on the ground floor, the Museum rescues, exhibits, and celebrates the stories of iconic figures whose lives, contributions, and legacies have shaped the cultural identity and historical heritage of Bocas del Toro.

The Hou Wang Altar

The Hou Wang Altar is one of the oldest testimonies of the Chinese presence in Bocas del Toro. Brought from Kowloon, China, at the beginning of the 20th century, it has been preserved for over a century by the Chinese community of Isla Colón, Bocas del Toro.

Considered to be quite possibly the only documented historical altar dedicated to a Chinese deity in the Americas, its ceremonial furniture—crafted from fine wood—and its intricately carved deities represent one of the highest artistic and spiritual expressions of Chinese tradition in Central America.

Cultural Museum (Hou Wang) of Bocas del Toro

The Bocas del Toro Cultural Museum Association is composed of third and fourth-generation descendants of Chinese migrants from Zhongshan, Guangdong, China, who settled in Bocas del Toro at the beginning of the 20th century.

Inspired by a vision of cultural integration and coexistence, we have spearheaded the creation of the Bocas del Toro Cultural Museum. This inclusive space is dedicated to preserving and sharing the region’s multi-ethnic history, recognizing the invaluable contributions of all communities that have fueled the social, cultural, and economic development of Isla Colón and the province of Bocas del Toro.

About the Museum

The Museum is a space dedicated to preserving and sharing the cultural richness and multi-ethnic history of the province of Bocas del Toro.

Through its galleries and exhibitions, the museum highlights the heritage of its diverse communities—including the Hou Wang Altar, Museographic Galleries, Screening Room, and Auditorium.

Activities

The Museum promotes intellectual, educational, artistic, and cultural development for the benefit of youth and the general population.

Through seminars, workshops, and educational programs, it fosters learning and the appreciation of cultural heritage.

Furthermore, the Museum drives artistic performances and cultural events while promoting alliances and sponsorships that strengthen the reach and sustainability of its cultural programming.

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