Army’s Secret Jungle Hotel Revealed in Uxmal, Yucatán

The army has nearly completed the construction of a 160-room hotel with parking for 212 vehicles in the jungle of Uxmal, Yucatán, despite not having an Environmental Impact Statement. The project was initially planned to be unveiled last September when it was 80% complete.

Fernando Tolosa Casanova, a local landowner, confirmed the existence of the Maya Train Hotel in Uxmal after visiting it a few months ago. The visit came about as the army sought to negotiate with landowners about the route of the road connecting the property to the archaeological site. The local assembly agreed to the proposal on the condition that the farmers also benefit from the electrical line installed by the army. Casanova mentioned that this was a significant investment and would help solve irrigation problems in the area.

During his visit, Casanova also observed the construction of the New Uxmal National Park, which surrounds the Maya Train Hotel. This park, along with another in Tulum, is owned by the Olmeca-Maya-Mexica Airport, Railway and Auxiliary Services Group (GAFSAOMM), which is part of the army. The absence of an Environmental Impact Statement for the New Uxmal Park prevents full understanding of the project details. However, its creation decree describes it as a nearly 1700 hectare natural protected area where only "low impact" tourist activities are permitted.

Information about the Maya Train Hotel in Uxmal is limited. It's known to have 160 rooms, parking for 212 vehicles, a pool, gym, and spa, and is near completion. In a press conference in early September, it was reported to be 78.30% complete. In February, the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) was asked for the Environmental Impact Statement of the six hotels that the army is building along the Maya Train route. Semarnat only shared the statement for the Maya Train Hotel in Edzná, Campeche, and was later ordered to deliver the others.

Pedro Ayuso, a local shaman, expressed concerns about the environmental impact of the hotel. From his vantage point on a hill overlooking Uxmal, he can see the Pyramid of the Fortune Teller, the most imposing building in the sacred site of Uxmal. However, the Maya Train Hotel is hidden by the dense vegetation. Ayuso raised concerns about the hotel's potential water consumption and the risk of contamination to the subsoil and cenotes if the drainage system is not properly constructed.