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Why there has never been a better time to visit Dzibilchaltún

With no fanfare, Dzibilchaltún re-opened its gates during the last week of 2024. The archaeological site in Chablekal,  Mérida’s northernmost ejido, had been closed almost continuously since 2020 due to land disputes and pandemic restrictions. Today, it’s back in operation, although improvements to Dzibilchaltún’s infrastructure have yet to be completed. 

For starters, the site’s new museum—Museo del Pueblo Maya de Dzibilchaltún—remains closed, as do several spaces marked as eateries and souvenir shops. 

Given the lack of publicity surrounding Dzibilchaltún’s reopening, few locals and visitors even realize the archaeological site has reopened.

“I guess you could call this a soft reopening, there is still much work to do… we are just so underfunded and staffed, it’s not even funny,” a custodian told Yucatán Magazine.

Though it is a shame Dzibilchaltún’s new museum is yet to open, the opportunity to visit the site on one’s own more than makes up for it. Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine

On the plus side, this lack of awareness about Dzibilchaltún’s reopening is a real boon for those who enjoy escaping the crowds, birding, and exploring ancient sites on their own. 

Even better, a handful of monuments that have, in some cases, been out of bounds for years are now reachable, even though the paths to reach them are a little overgrown.

Other sections, like the site ballcourt and the enormous Structure 46, are roped off, probably for the best, as high vegetation makes for a perfect environment for snakes. 

Also still inaccessible is the interior of the site’s most famous structure, the Temple of Seven Dolls, and the Cenote Xlacah, which became off-limits to swimmers in 2022 after it was determined its waters had become contaminated

The PROMESA Tren Maya fund provides funds for remodeling Dzibilchaltún and several other archaeological sites, including Edzná and Kabah. However, key infrastructure aspects, such as connectivity to the site itself from the train station, museums, and bathrooms, apparently remain unfinished.

Then there are the archaeological sites that remain closed entirely for a variety of other reasons including flooding at Lol-Tún and land disputes like at Mayapán and Balankanche.

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