As of March 29, 2010, the 83 hectares of the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, a ranch that belonged to Mr. Barbachano before and and was managed by the INAH, became a federal property of the state of Yucatan and now it is administered by CULTUR. With this acquisition, begins a macro project called Chichén 2020 Central Park which is planned to include 12 five-star hotels, a convention center, water parks, artificial lakes, a golf course and shopping malls. This project sounds great to attract international  tourists who are already awaiting but it has already caused some reactions within the scientific and intellectual communities who, disagree with the exploitation of the archaeological site of Chichen Itza. They argue that CULTUR has been misusing the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza even before they owned this site,  which is meant to be respected as a world heritage. It has been used as stage for mega concerts that have recently been organized at the foot of these majestic Mayan pyramids. What will happen now that CULTURE is the sole owner of these properties?.

It is known that at present, CULTUR charges a separate admission fee to the INAH, and therefore visitors have to pay double entry in the cost of trips to Chichen Itza, making Chichen Itza Archaeological Site one of the most expensive attractions in the country and if that were not enough, as of September 1 shall enter into force  an increase in admission fees to Chichen Itza Archaeological Site and Uxmal as it was reported by the director of CULTUR, Jorge Esma Bazán.

The offocial amount was approved by the tourism industry and even by the INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History), a dependency of Mexico’s federal government supposedly dedicated to the preservation, protection and dissemination of archaeological and historical areas of the Mexican nation.