The ruins of Chichen Itza archaeological site in the state of Yucatan, Mexico, are  internationally famous. Chichen Itza was a place of great importance since it was the political and religious center of the ancient Mayans, in the ninth century AD and until today, it is full of wonders to the eyes of all who visit it.

Whether Spanish explorers led by Francisco de Montejo or a battalion of national and foreign tourists, everyone is puzzled by the majesty of Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza.

It was called a World´s Heritage Site in 1988 by UNESCO and turned into one of the  New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007.

Unfortunately, not everything is fame to Chichen Itza, Mexico. Behind all this grandeur and mysticism, Chichen Itza ruins suffer matters like, excessive and uncontrolled tourism, damage to structures, street trading, conflicts with individuals, exploration subject to budget and uneven economic gains.

With the inclusion of Chichen Itza, Mexico  in the group of the New 7 Wonders of the world, the tourism sector, invested over a million dollars on promoting the site, hoping to double the number of visitors to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. However, the ruins at Chichen Itza Archaeological Site were not designed to receive that many people, therefore, part of the management plan for the area is the implementation of some measures to prevent deterioration. For example, in the past, tourists were able to climb the pyramid of Kukulcan or El Castillo in Chichen Itza and be photographed sitting on the sculpture of Chac Mool, which now is no longer allowed.

The only source of income for the area of Chichen Itza, Mexico  is tourism, so the hallway leading from the esplanade of El Castillo to the Sacred Cenote (Sinkhole) is a flea market which sells food, clothing and crafts. But also inside the zone is invaded by hundreds of vendors and in dates like the spring equinox, there are about a thousand vendors, as a result of a lack of alternative sources of employment in the area.

With the tourist promotion of the ruins of Chichen Itza Archaeological Site, there was a big financial investment with the expectation of doubling the number of visitors, benefiting the private sector and INAH, but not quite to the local population.

Part of the land where Chichen Itza ruins are belongs to the Barbachano family, so INAH is seeking to regularize the land ownership. The INAH is negotiating with the family to acquire the land through donation or expropriation. The family demanded a percentage of Chichen Itza archaeological site tickets.

Despite its fame,  Chichen Itza ruins still hides many secrets. In 1993, the federal government provided nearly five million pesos for a large project in an archaeological research and restoration on public buildings, restoration of mural paintings, stucco and wood elements in Chichen Itza Ruins. The excavations have not stopped although resources have diminished. Work continues on the maintenance and upkeep of buildings, paintings and roads at the expense of the budget.