Why Dzibilchaltún and its Temple of the 7 Dolls are Off-Limits for Spring Equinox in 2026

One, maybe two, of Yucatán’s most famous spots for witnessing the Spring Equinox will be closed for the Spring Equinox this year.

Dzibilchaltún will not open its gates this year in time for visitors to see the rising sun pass through the doorway of the Temple of the Seven Dolls.

“The INAH is going through a very tough situation right now, and we simply don’t have the resources to open Dzibichaltún for the equinox,” an anonymous source told Yucatán Magazine.

This is consistent with reports from workers at Dzibilchaltún that INAH is unwilling to pay the overtime necessary to open the site at 4 a.m., as has been the case in the past.

The astronomical spring equinox will take place on Friday, March 20, at 8.46 a.m., but the observable phenomena across Mesoamerica occur at different times, and in some cases even on multiple days, depending on the site and nature of the alignment with ancient architecture.

Groundkeepers at Oxkintok have also told Yucatán Magazine that although there had been plans to open the site for visitors to view the Spring Equinox, this would not be the case this year.

During the Spring Equinox at Oxkintok, the sun passes through one of the site’s arches connected to a sacbe, creating an impressive display. Because of the time of day when the phenomena occur, just before dawn, and the relative obscurity of Oxkintok, it has never opened for the equinox, though rumors had swirled that this year things would be different.

The Spring Equinox and Problems at Chichén Itza

However, the most famous place to view the Spring Equinox, Chichén Itzá, will be open to visitors. At least that is the official line, which we have reason to doubt.

As reported by the Yucatán Daily News, entering Chichén Itzá for the Spring Equinox may be next to impossible this year, as vendors and federal authorities have reached an impasse that could escalate into violence.

The problem started because the way people enter Chichén Itzá has changed. A new entrance will let visitors skip the seemingly endless small market stalls selling t-shirts and souvenirs. The goal is to discourage vendors from selling inside the archaeological site.

The vendors have started to protest, using the slogan “Solo nos van a sacar muertos,” which means “Over my dead body.”

The new entrance and visitor center are set to open on Monday. That day is also the start of the Spring Equinox, one of the busiest days of the year at Chichén Itzá.

The conflict will likely lead to protests and roadblocks, which could make it hard for people to reach the site.

However, many tour companies are still offering packages to visit Chichén Itzá to view the astronomical phenomena. The Spring Equinox draws attention at Chichén Itzá because of the phenomenon referred to as the “Descent of Kukulkán.” At sunset on this day, if the skies are clear, sunlight and shadows fall across the stone steps of El Castillo, the iconic pyramid. The result is a striking visual effect—a snake appears to glide down the side of the structure.

The Spring Equinox at Chichén Itzá will occur on March 20 at 8:46 a.m. and will last for roughly 45 minutes. It will also be visible, though perhaps not to the same extent, during the two following days.

Travelers who decide to visit Chichén Itzá despite the uncertainty may find it wise to spend the night in Pisté to avoid potential road closures and be prepared to reach the site on foot. Just keep in mind that several media outlets are reporting a high likelihood of disturbances and the potential for violence.

Aside from the visual impact of these phenomena, the alignment at Maya sites is a large draw for those interested in astronomy and what appears to be an ever-growing number of “new age pilgrims” who describe these events as an opportunity to connect with the cosmos.

Related: More information about the spring equinox and events held at other archaeological sites.