Yucatán Implements Sweeping New Rent Hikes at Mérida Culture Venues
The Yucatán Secretariat of Administration and Finance is raising the rent at several Mérida culture spaces. Some rents are doubling, starting today.
The Mayamax Room and Mayamax Lobby at the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya are the most expensive cultural space rentals in the state. Together, these venues are expected to generate revenue equivalent to what Sedeculta previously collected from renting the Teatro José Peón Contreras restaurant, which held the highest individual rate in 2024.
The most substantial increases affect rental rates for courses and workshops at six cultural venues. Sedeculta doubled the rent across 18 different rates for educational programming lasting 20 hours or more.
That includes the Yucatecan Children’s Cultural Center on Calle 59 between Calle 48 and Calle 50 in downtown Mérida, the Centro Cultural Ricardo López Méndez in Cordemex, the Casa de la Cultura del Mayab on Calle 63 between Calle 64 and Calle 66, the Ibérica Cultural Center, the Manuel Cepeda Peraza State Central Public Library, and the Yucatanense Library.
Educational workshop rates doubled across all venues. A 20-hour course or workshop now costs MX$800, up from MX$400 in 2024. Thirty-hour programs increased from MX$500 to $1,000, while 40-hour courses rose from MX$600 to $1,200.
Theater Rental Hikes Vary
Only modest rate increases were announced for the Teatro José Peón Contreras on Calle 60 and Calle 57 in the Centro. The historic opera house has been closed since November 2022 due to fire damage to the central dome and third floor. The National Institute of Anthropology and History said that restoration of the damaged portions will be completed in 2026. Expect another rent increase then, INAH said.
Event rentals at the Peón Contreras increased from MX$40,000 to $45,000 for a maximum six-hour period, including setup and breakdown. Second performances on the same day rose from MX$20,000 to $20,500, while private events without public admission increased from $5,300 to $5,800. Additional hourly rates beyond the sixth hour increased from $7,000 to $7,500.
The theater’s mezzanine rental fee increased 12.5% from $4,000 to $4,500 per event, while lobby rentals rose 25% from $2,000 to $2,500.
The Armando Manzanero Theater on Calle 62 between Calle 59 and Calle 61 received smaller increases. Event rentals rose modestly from $30,000 to $30,500, representing a 1.6% increase. Second performances increased 3.3% from $15,000 to $15,500, while additional hourly rates rose 10% from $5,000 to $5,500.
The Daniel Ayala Theater on Calle 60 between Calle 59 and Calle 61 implemented similar adjustments. Event rentals increased 3.3% from MX$15,000 to $15,500, second performances rose 6.6% from $7,500 to $8,000, and additional hourly rates jumped 20% from $2,500 to $3,000.
Other cultural centers experienced more significant increases for theatrical works. Event rentals for three-hour maximum periods rose 25% from $2,000 to $2,500, while additional hourly rates doubled from $500 to $1,000.
Gran Museo Rates Reflect Premium Positioning
The Gran Museo del Mundo Maya in Mérida, located on Calle 60 Norte at the Progreso exit, implemented comprehensive rate increases across multiple venue spaces for six-hour events, including setup and breakdown.
The multipurpose room increased 20% from $7,500 to $9,000. The Bazaar Terrace similarly rose 20% from $15,000 to $18,000. The interior triangular patio increased from $25,000 to $30,000, while the access plaza esplanade covering 2,240 square meters rose from $30,000 to $32,000.
The flagship Mayamax Room increased 12.5% from $40,000 to $45,000. The Mayamax Lobby, which had no rental rate in 2024, now commands $45,000 per event. The esplanade around the ceiba tree, previously offered without charge, now costs $12,000 per event.
Museum Admissions Refined
The Gran Museo introduced four new group tour rates while eliminating one fee and maintaining seven existing charges. New special group tour rates for tour operators and travel agencies serving a minimum of 10 people include foreign groups at $1,350 per tour, national groups at $900, foreign cruise ship groups at $1,200, and domestic cruise ship groups at $800.
The special overnight tour for 25 people minimum increased 14.3% from $8,750 to $10,000. However, the museum eliminated the $25 admission fee for people with disabilities, who now receive free access to exhibition halls.
Standard admission rates remain unchanged at $150 for foreign adults, $100 for Mexican adults, $50 for Yucatán residents, and $25 for children ages 4-12, Mexican students, teachers, and seniors.
Commercial Space Rentals Undergo Restructuring
Sedeculta eliminated three commercial rental agreements that generated $1.116 million in 2024 revenue while increasing seven other commercial and office rents. The eliminated rentals include the Peón Contreras Theater restaurant at $90,000 monthly, the Daniel Ayala Theater confectionery at $2,000 monthly, and the Valladolid theater cafeteria at $1,000 monthly.
Monthly rent increases include the Gran Museo cafeteria from $5,000 to $5,500, the Armando Manzanero Theater confectionery from $2,000 to $2,500, and various cultural center cafeterias from $2,000 to $2,500. Box office rentals at the Peón Contreras, Ayala, and Manzanero theaters each increased from $2,000 to $2,500 monthly.
Two commercial rents remained unchanged: the Daniel Ayala Theater candy store and the Valladolid theater box office, both maintaining $2,000 monthly rates.
Workshop registration and monthly fees for children, youth, and adult programming at venues like Cecuny remained at current levels without increases.
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