Mexico Reopens Chichén Itzá
Profile of one of the many serpent statues present around Chichén Itzá.
A full view of Chichén Itzá’s stairs from a distance.
Many of the go-to destinations around the world have reopened for international travelers, but some of the renowned natural and cultural attractions at these locations have yet to do the same. Mexico is a prime example. Having opened their borders for tourist/non-essential entry in June, most of the country's archeological sites were still closed due to the global spike of COVID-19. On Tuesday, the Yucatánian government officially reopened a number of sites including the timeless Mayan city of Chichén Itzá near the region’s tourist-gravitating peninsula. This is great news for travelers in general, but a joy to the ears of those planning to join us on Adventure in Black’s exclusive New Years’ Eve 2020 Tour of Playa del Carmen and Tulum coming in December.
Mauricio Díaz Montalvo, Director of the Board of Trustees of the Cultural and Tourist Services of the State of Yucatán, reached the decision earlier this week to reopen the historic treasure after being closed for the last six months. “It is very important that Chichén Itzá is open not only for the cultural aspect, but also for the economic aspect,” Montalvo says in the press release about the decision. “We are ready to receive all tourists with all the necessary sanitary measures so that little by little, the influx to this place recovers.” Authorities, at both the local and federal levels, have adhered to the mandated steps needed to provide a safe environment for all. The regulatory measures will be new to the travelers who have set foot on this timeless site in years past. The insurance of good health for visitors will start before entry.
Only small groups of ten, counting the tour guide, will be permitted to enter Chichén Itzá between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.--the last tour of the day happening at 4:00 p.m. Temperatures will be read using thermographic cameras. Hand sanitizer will be dispensed automatically onsite by machine. Masks, as you guessed, are mandatory. The daily maximum capacity of visitors to Chichén Itzá will be 3,000. Though this may change the tourist experience, none of these precautions can take away from standing on land untouched by colonial rule. Gazing up at the summit from the foot of the steps is a vision no image or video can ever truly emulate. It is the stunning man-made contrast to the natural blue wave horizon less than a two-hour drive away from Playa del Carmen and Tulum. One that everyone should see up close and for themselves.