Three of the five main archaeological sites in the state of Yucatan had registered a drop in the number of visits during the first six months of 2019, compared to the same period in 2018.
Statistics from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) on the influx to archeological sites show that from January to June, 1,567,990 tourists visited Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Ek Balam, Dzibilchaltún and Kabah; against 1,683,786 during the same period of time in 2018, that is, 115,796 fewer visitors.
The most dramatic decline is recorded in Chichen Itza, because at the end of the first half of the year the ancient Maya city has shown a deficit of 135,546 visitors compared to 2018; in the quarter from April to June, the fall was even more significant, as the monthly figure was below the 200,000 visitors.
People surround the Kukulcan Pyramid at the Mayan archaeological site of Chichen Itza in Yucatan State, Mexico, during the celebration of the spring equinox on March 21, 2019. (AFP/Hugo Borges)
In contrast, the number of visitors registered at Uxmal and Dzibilchaltún increased by 16,850 and 4,962 visitors, respectively.
If the number of visits to the five main archeological sites of the state are separated by domestic and foreign tourists, it is observed that the fewer foreign travelers visited these attratctions, showing a deficit of 121,785 entries.
Pyramid of Magician – Uxmal. (Photo: noticieros-televisa.com)
Other archaeological sites:
Mayapan
Mayapan received 13,854 visitors in the first half of 2018, and from January to June this year, this site registered 20,803 visitors (an increase of 33 percent). This magnificent Maya city of the Postclassic, is located in the municipality of Tecoh, only 50 kilometers (32 miles) south of Mérida, and September is probably one of the best times of the year to go there.
Mayapan, Yucatan, Mexico
Xcambó
From January to June 2019, 20,749 tourists visited this area located on the northern coast of the state, in the municipality of Dzemul (in 2018 there were only 16,650, that is, an increase of 19.7%).
Xcambó (Photo: Google)
Loltún
In the first six months of the current year, Loltún received 16,483 visits (91 on average daily), 1,614 (9.7%) less than in 2018. The influx of people to the Puuc Route has been declining since the year 2017.
Grutas de Loltun – Credit Jesus Hererra
