$800M Investment for New Visitor Center at Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá, one of Mexico’s most iconic and heavily visited archaeological sites, is set to receive a new Tourist and Visitor Care Center (CATVI). The state-owned company, Fonatur Tren Maya, will fund the project with an investment of 794.2 million pesos. The goal is to enhance the tourist infrastructure and provide superior services to visitors. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) has approved the project, which was proposed in October last year. The project involves changing the use of forest land on a 13.5-hectare area near the Kukulcán pyramid, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Semarnat’s approval comes with the stipulation that preventive measures and environmental compensation must be implemented in the area.

In the first half of 2024, Chichén Itzá welcomed approximately 1.2 million tourists, an increase of 8.6 percent compared to the same period in 2023, as per Datatur. This surge, largely fueled by international interest—with 70 percent of visitors from abroad—, has put increasing strain on the existing tourist infrastructure.

The site has been grappling with recurrent issues of overcrowding, inadequate services, and escalating environmental impact due to the high influx of tourists. These challenges have necessitated significant infrastructure investments, like the new CATVI, to ensure a safe and sustainable tourism experience. The new visitor center aims to improve tourist services and aligns with the Tren Maya project, which includes several Mayan sites, including Chichén Itzá, on its route.

The CATVI is planned to provide archaeological, cultural, and tourist information, aiming to enrich the experience of Tren Maya users and visitors to the archaeological zone. This initiative is part of the Archaeological Zone Improvement Program (Promeza), spearheaded by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and the Ministry of Culture.

The program’s goal is to modernize and preserve archaeological sites along the Tren Maya route. The CATVI is an addition to recent investments in the area, such as the Grand Museum of Chichén Itzá, which opened in February 2024 with an investment of 212 million pesos, and houses over a thousand pieces of Mayan culture. Furthermore, the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena) has proposed a project to build a 160-room hotel, requiring an investment of 671.3 million pesos. The new visitor center is expected to have a lifespan of 50 years, which could be extended with appropriate maintenance.

Semarnat has set conditions related to environmental conservation, aiming to balance tourism growth with the protection of the natural and cultural environment. Fonatur has assured that the CATVI will promote responsible, sustainable tourism that respects the cultural heritage of the region, while also enhancing safety and services for both national and international visitors.