New 10-Acre Visitor Center at Uxmal Will Expand Maya Train Project

Federal authorities have opened a public comment period on plans to build a tourist service center at Uxmal that would require clearing five acres of forest land near the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History plans to construct the Centro de Atención a Turistas y Visitantes Uxmal about one kilometer south of the ancient Maya city in Santa Elena. The project is part of the complementary infrastructure for the Maya Train, which began operations in December 2023.

Mexico’s environment ministry launched the public consultation period on Oct. 20, giving interested parties until Nov. 14 to review the proposal and submit comments. Anyone can participate through the agency’s website, at its Yucalpetén offices, or by certified mail.

The facility would occupy 10 acres total, with roughly half requiring the removal of existing vegetation. According to documents filed with the environment ministry, the affected area contains medium-height deciduous tropical forest with species including chacá, jabín, siricote and red cedar trees.

Wildlife surveys identified white-tailed deer, black iguanas, opossums and chachalacas in the construction zone. The project summary acknowledges that clearing vegetation and fragmenting habitat will cause forest cover loss, alter microhabitats and temporarily displace animals.

To offset environmental damage, INAH proposes reforesting 5 acres with native species and implementing rescue programs to relocate plants and wildlife during site preparation. The design calls for rainwater collection systems, wastewater treatment facilities and local building materials to reduce the center’s operational impact.

The planned visitor center will feature ticket booths, exhibition halls and artisan sales areas. Additional amenities include a traditional kitchen, restrooms, parking lots, rest areas and administrative offices. A multipurpose room will accommodate cultural and educational activities, with universal accessibility features and natural ventilation built into the design.

Construction is expected to take about 12 months, covering site preparation, main structure assembly and basic service installation.

The announcement comes as Uxmal undergoes significant restoration work tied to Maya Train development. The archaeological site welcomes around 350,000 visitors annually, but officials project that number could triple to nearly one million with improved train connectivity and newly opened temple complexes.

Earlier this year, INAH opened sections, including the grand temple known as El Palomar, featuring elaborate Maya arches and decorative crestwork. In 2021, the site also added a video mapping light show that brings the ancient city’s structures to life after dark.

Similar visitor centers are under construction at other major archaeological sites along the Tren Maya route, including Chichén Itzá, Ek’ Balam and Palenque. The facilities aim to enhance tourist experiences while serving as economic development hubs for nearby communities.

Environmental and indigenous rights groups have raised concerns throughout Maya Train construction about impacts on archaeological sites, natural ecosystems and local populations. Archaeologists working on the project have documented more than 25,000 new archaeological sites and recovered over 1.4 million ceramic fragments during excavation work across the route’s seven sections.

The 960-mile passenger rail line connects tourist destinations throughout the Yucatán Peninsula, spanning Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo states. Total project costs have climbed from an initial $8.3 billion estimate in 2020 to $28 billion.

Uxmal, meaning “thrice-built” in Maya, flourished between the 5th and 10th centuries as the dominant power center in the Puuc region. The ancient city is renowned for its distinctive architectural style, including the famous Pyramid of the Magician and the elaborate Governor’s Palace.