Unlock the Hidden Ichkabal Mayan Ruins with Mexican Government Deal

The Mexican government has reached an agreement with the Bacalar ejido, a local community of landowners, for the use of 100 hectares of communal land. This land is home to the Mayan ruins of Ichkabal, a significant archaeological site that has previously been inaccessible to the public.

The agreement was announced by José Alberto Alonso Ovando, the head of the Strategic Projects Agency of the States (Agepro). It follows an appraisal by the National Property Management and Valuation Institute (Indaabin) and formalizes the expropriation of the land by the federal government.

The negotiations were prompted by the presence of the Mayan ruins on the land. The Mexican government has agreed to pay the Bacalar ejido 74.5 million pesos as compensation for the land. This payment will allow locals and tourists to freely access the Ichkabal ruins.

Initially, the government had offered a sum of 53 million pesos, which was rejected by the ejido. The increased offer led to the successful conclusion of the agreement.

In addition to the compensation, the Bacalar ejido will also benefit from funds collected from parking charges at the archaeological site. This provision is part of the agreement for the negotiation of the 100 hectares of land.