Chichen Itza Remains Closed After Second Round of Talks With Artisans Fails

Chichen Itza, Yucatan — Chichen Itza remains closed to visitors after a second round of negotiations between artisans, tour guides, and state and federal authorities ended without an agreement, officials said Friday.

The conflict stems from the opening of the new Visitor Center (Catvi), which replaced the old tourist stop that was shut down on the night of May 18. The new facility was built next to the Site Museum as part of the infrastructure linked to the Maya Train project.

No date has been set for resuming normal operations at one of Mexico’s most important archaeological sites and a key economic driver for eastern Yucatan.

Protesters are demanding the reopening of the old visitor center. Meanwhile, the federal government is preparing criminal complaints against alleged leaders of the movement and a lawyer accused of leading the takeover of facilities and allowing free entry to the site during the protests. The complaints could involve charges of damage to federal property and heritage losses from the unauthorized free access.

Protest Camp at Visitor Center

During the latest meeting, community representatives presented assembly minutes backed by more than 3,900 signatures to show local opposition to the new operating model. They accused authorities of trying to impose the project without providing formal documentation on its operating conditions.

After the talks failed, the Indigenous Council of Piste clarified that the community is not blocking access to the archaeological zone or the federal highway. The protest camp remains only at the entrance to the Catvi, meaning the suspension of operations is a decision by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and the state government.

Artisans’ Demands

Among the demands are a commitment to prevent the displacement of artisans from the archaeological zone, facilitate production credits, and provide financial support to equip stalls inside the Catvi. They have also requested that the new complex have adequate telephone and internet services for electronic payments.

Negotiations remain open, but there are no clear signs of an immediate resolution.