Chacchoben Ruins Fees Drive Away Tourists

Othón P. Blanco, Quintana Roo — Transport workers and tourism service providers in Mahahual have warned of a drastic decline in visitors to the Chacchoben archaeological zone, which they attribute to a fee of up to 15 dollars per person to enter the site.

According to the general secretary of the Mahahual taxi union, the demand for transportation to the site has fallen by as much as 80 percent. He explained that visitors must currently pay seven dollars to the local ejido—a communal landholding—and five dollars to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). He also cited potential new increases that could raise the total fee to 20 dollars per person.

"The Congress approved a 110 percent increase in the cost of access to archaeological zones, which would mean paying 10 dollars to INAH and another five to the ejido," stated the union leader. "If you add the federal landing taxes to that, the cost per tourist will be excessive."

He recalled that before these adjustments, visitor numbers were considerable, with up to 80 taxis transporting tourists daily. Today, barely 20 units per day make the trip.

He assured that the trade unions have requested the intervention of the federal and state governments to halt the excessive charges but have received no response so far. The transport workers have asked to be heard, stating that they have faced a sustained decline in their activity for over three months due to the drop in tourism in the region.