Coba Faces Tourism Collapse as Guides Report Minimal Activity and Scarce Income

Coba, Quintana Roo — The archaeological site of Coba is experiencing one of its toughest periods for those dependent on tourism, with visitor numbers now at just one-tenth of previous levels, severely impacting certified guides, artisans, and service providers in the community.

William Cen Canché, leader of the National Union of Tourist Guides (SINALTUR) in Coba, said the drop in visitors has left many workers idle for days. Some guides manage only one tour every eight to ten days, significantly reducing income for dozens of families who rely on tourism at the site.

“Some colleagues go more than a week without a service. We keep working, but the reality is that tourism has decreased a lot, and that directly affects our economy,” Cen Canché said, noting the situation has persisted for months with no clear signs of recovery.

According to Cen Canché, one factor behind the low turnout is the lack of targeted promotion for Coba in key tourism markets. In previous years, constant campaigns kept the destination on the radar of national and international visitors, but current efforts are insufficient to attract tourists to this part of the Maya region.

The decline also hurts merchants, transporters, and small businesses that depend on spending by visitors to the archaeological site. Cen Canché urged authorities to implement strategies to reposition Coba within the state’s tourism offerings and recover lost visitor numbers.

In the meantime, some workers have started seeking alternative income, temporarily joining travel agencies or moving to other tourist destinations with higher demand. They remain hopeful that tourism activity will rebound in the coming months, restoring vitality to one of Quintana Roo’s key historical and cultural attractions in the Maya Zone.