“Tulum Airport and INAH Shutdown Ahead of Hurricane – Safety Measures in Place!”

With Hurricane Beryl fast approaching, several organizations in Quintana Roo, Mexico, have taken precautionary steps to protect both the public and cultural heritage sites. Among these are the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and Tulum International Airport, "Felipe Carrillo Puerto". Both have released statements via their official social media channels about the impending Category 3 hurricane.

As a response to the hurricane threat, the INAH Center of Quintana Roo announced that all state archaeological sites, including the Maya Museum of Cancun, will be closed to the public from today until Saturday, July 6, 2024.

The Ministry of Culture, through the INAH and the INAH Center Quintana Roo, also announced that several archaeological sites and the Maya Museum of Cancun will be closed as a civil protection measure. These include Tulum, Cobá, Chacchoben, Dzibanché, Kinichná, El Meco, Xelhá, El Rey, Kohunlich, Muyil, Oxtankah, San Gervasio, and San Miguelito. They anticipate reopening these sites to the public on Sunday, July 7, 2024, if Hurricane Beryl passes without causing significant damage. However, El Meco, Muyil, Kohunlich, Oxtankah, and Xelhá will remain closed due to ongoing work from the Archaeological Zones Improvement Program (Promeza).

Tulum International Airport has also chosen to halt its operations in light of Hurricane Beryl's threat. An internal announcement revealed that air traffic will be suspended from 2:00 pm today, July 4, until 12:00 pm on July 7. This decision was made to prevent potential accidents or aerial tragedies due to the anticipated severe weather conditions, which include 185 km/h winds. The airport authorities have advised against using their facilities as a shelter, citing safety concerns. They have also requested employees to secure important documents and remove any objects that could become projectiles.

For those with flights scheduled for today, July 4, and Sunday, July 7, it is advised not to go to the airport and instead contact their airline for further information and to ensure their safety. With these precautions in place, Quintana Roo institutions are preparing for the potential impact of Hurricane Beryl, prioritizing the safety of its residents and visitors.