Tulum, Q.R. — The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) says ticket sales by a new group at the Jaguar Park do not replace INAH functions. They new method is meant to benefit tourists with easier purchasing and less wait times. The INAH made the statement Thursday after protests by a group of workers at the Tulum Archaeological site.
The group claim “usurpation of functions” by the Mundo Maya Group who they accused of impersonating INAH officials in Tulum. The Mundo Maya Group are reported to be Secretaría de Cultura denunció que el Grupo Aeroportuario, Ferroviario, de Servicios Auxiliares y Conexos Olmeca-Maya-Mexica (Gafsacomm), the company that manages the park.
In a statement, the INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia) said “based on an agreement signed between the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp), Grupo Mundo Maya – a public company formerly known as the Olmeca-Maya-Mexica Airport, Railway, Auxiliary and Related Services Group (Gafsacomm) – and the INAH, starting August 10, 2025, the first of these entities began offering tourists the possibility of purchasing entrance tickets to the Tulum Archaeological Zone and Tulum National Park, along with access to Jaguar Park.
“In this procedure, there is no impersonation of the institute’s staff since the tickets offered by Grupo Mundo Maya at the Parque del Jaguar ticket office were previously purchased from the INAH.
“The measure aims to make it easier for Jaguar Park visitors to purchase all three tickets at a single location, optimizing their experience at both sites and reducing wait times.
“It is important to emphasize that direct ticket sales at the Tulum Archaeological Zone ticket office continue to operate normally. Therefore, claims alleging an infringement on staff labor rights or harm to the INAH are unfounded.
“The INAH’s fee-exempt policies for access to the archaeological zone, established by current legislation, remain unchanged, regardless of the point of sale.
“These apply to national minors under 13 years of age, teachers and students, people with disabilities, and seniors with an Inapam identification, as well as interns and researchers with permission from the INAH to conduct studies related to museums, monuments and archaeological sites.
“On Sundays, admission is free for nationals and foreign residents with a supporting document.
“It’s worth remembering that, since 2024, it has been established that people belonging to indigenous communities located in municipalities bordering archaeological sites and zones do not pay the access fee, as long as they prove their residence in those areas with a valid official ID,” they said.
“Grupo Mundo Maya also provides free access to Jaguar Park for residents of Tulum with valid proof of ownership.
“The Ministry of Culture and the INAH reiterate their commitment to expanding and diversifying the options for accessing and enjoying the nation’s cultural heritage, as well as to ensuring respect for the labor rights of their workers, transparency, and strengthening their ties with communities and the visiting public,” the INAH added in their Thursday statement.
On Wednesday, the National Union of Workers of the Ministry of Culture denounced that the Group Olmeca-Maya-Mexica (Gafsacomm), now called Grupo Mundo Maya, assumed control of the ticket office at the archaeological site of Tulum as of Monday, something they said, is a function of the INAH.
