Chichén Itzá Leads Mexican Archaeological Sites in Visitor Surge

Chichén Itzá, one of Mexico's top five most visited archaeological sites, has seen a rise in visitor numbers during the first half of the year. The site experienced an 8.6 percent increase in visitor registrations, while other popular destinations witnessed a decrease. Teotihuacán saw a 14.1 percent drop, Tulum decreased by 23.6 percent, Tajín fell by 6.8 percent, and Monte Albán saw a 20 percent decline, according to data from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

In the first half of the year, Chichén Itzá's visitor numbers rose from 1,087,566 to 1,181,156. This figure places the site in the top spot, with a 26.4 percent increase in foreign tourists. However, there was a 19 percent decrease in national visitors.

Teotihuacán, located in the State of Mexico, dropped from 939,842 to 807,074 visitors, a 14.1 percent decrease. Tulum, in Quintana Roo, fell from 765,510 to 585,078 visitors, a 23.6 percent decline.

The Yucatan Peninsula boasts the most visited archaeological sites in the country, with five out of the top 10: Chichén Itzá, Tulum, Uxmal, Cobá, and Chacchoben. These five sites accounted for 2,133,832 national and international visits, averaging 11,854 tourists every day in the first half of 2024.

Last year, Chichén Itzá recorded the arrival of 2,332,445 tourists, equating to a rate of 710 people per hour. Teotihuacán came in second place with 1,788,984 visitors, and Tulum was third with 1,300,964. These statistics are according to INAH and the Datatur database of the federal Ministry of Tourism.