Major Renovations At These Maya Ruins Leave Tourists With No Bathrooms

Last Updated 10 months ago

Renovations of tourist services are underway at Maya ruin sites across the Mexican Caribbean thanks to funding provided by the Maya Train PROMESA tourism program.

When these upgrade projects are complete, tourists visiting popular archaeological sites such as Palenque, Labná and Sayil will enjoy new ticket offices, shopping areas, food offerings and restrooms, among other amenities.

However, until they are complete, tourists may have to just hold it.

Restrooms Out of Order

Unfortunately, tourists visiting some of the popular sites that are undergoing guest relations renovations and upgrades are finding that the restrooms are out of order and alternative facilities, such as portable restrooms, are not available.

That’s forcing travelers to Palenque, Labná and Sayil to either hold it or simply find a “more natural” solution to relieve themselves in nearby bushes.

However, at the Palenque site, the issue is more of lack of water and toilet paper for visitors to the popular Maya ruin site to use. Ironically, there are portable toilets at this site, however they are exclusively for the use of the local construction and tourism workers.

It’s not something that is settling well with travelers visiting the archaeological sites and having to pay entry and facility fees on top of it.

The good news is some of the more visited sites, such as Chichén Itzá and Uxmal, still have the old restrooms up and running while the new ones are under construction. Therefore, travelers have not lost services at these two popular Maya ruin sites.

Lights Out

Not only are the restroom facilities out, but the electricity is as well. Tourist services, such as ticketing offices, have had to function without power.

The ticket offices have relocated to temporary huts to provide services to travelers and collect the required entry fees.

At sites like Labná, for example, it would definitely be a good idea for travelers to bring cash for their admission fees instead of relying on credit cards for payment. For convenience, exact change is requested to simplify the entry process for travelers.

Other services that guests expect at the sites are out of order until the electricity is eventually restored later in the construction project process.

More Facilities Coming Soon

Eventually, the new facilities being funded by the PROMESA Maya Train funding will provide more services to travelers visiting the rural destinations to visit the ancient Maya ruin sites.

According to reports, the new facilities will include upgraded restroom facilities, kiosks offering cold beverages and snacks as well as stores where travelers can purchase Maya made traditional handicraft items.

No date has been provided for when the construction will be complete at the different sites and tourists will be able to enjoy the brand new and upgraded facilities.

What Tourists Need to Know

Tourists should be aware that restroom facilities and other guest amenities are lacking at the popular Palenque, Labná, and Sayil Maya sites and should prepare in advance for the issue.

They may want to stop for a roadside lunch or snack on the way to the ruins to use the restroom facilities at the same time. Picking up a to-go snack and some cash for the entry may be smart moves as well.

Ultimately, the upgraded facilities will make things a little easier for travelers to explore some of the lesser visited Maya ruin sites across the region.

Palenque in Chiapas is actually one of the designated tourist stops of the brand-new Maya Train service.

Until the newly upgraded facilities are completed, travelers to some of the key Maya ruin sites across the Mexican Caribbean may have to find alternative accommodations for their basic needs before arriving at the location or find a more natural way to resolve the issues while on site.

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