Chichén Itzá, Yucatan — The INAH in Yucatán has opened an investigation into illegal or pirate tourist guides who are offering tours in the archaeological site.
The National Institute of Historical Anthropology (INAH) in Yucatan announced that it opened an investigation into the possibility of irregular tour guides after receiving numerous reports. The Institute said that some of the pirate guides have been known to even offer a view of the Kukulcán Castle, which for years the INAH has prohibited public access.
José Arturo Chab Cárdenas, head of the Institution’s legal area, reported that INAH staff sporadically inspect the various archaeological sites to detect out-of-hour visits and unauthorized access.
He also pointed out that tour guides are governed not only by the federal General Tourism Law, but also by the Law for the Promotion and Development of Tourism in Yucatan.
He explained that “in accordance with articles 8 and 14 of the Law for the Promotion and Development of Tourism in Yucatan, Tourist Service Providers are obliged to provide services without violating the provisions established in current regulations and provide the goods and services offered under the appropriate conditions and terms, having to comply with the prices, rates, promotions, reservations, and other agreed benefits, in the terms announced, offered and without alteration of truth.”
INAH says that the case has been turned over to state and federal tourism authorities, since in recent weeks, they have received complaints of bad tour guides from tourists who visited Chichén Itzá.
