Cultural Tourism in Mexico Grows 19% With Over 12 Million Visitors in 7 Months

Mexico’s Minister of Tourism, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, announced that from January to July 2025, the country’s museums and archaeological sites welcomed more than 12 million visitors, reflecting sustained growth in cultural and archaeological tourism.

According to data from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), museums received 6.8 million visitors —a 19.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024, and 2.8% more than in 2019—, while archaeological sites registered 6 million arrivals, 3.5% higher than the previous year.

Rodríguez Zamora noted that 89% of museum visitors were domestic tourists and 11% international. The most visited museums were the National Museum of Anthropology (45%), the National Museum of History (23%), and the Templo Mayor Museum (4%), which together attracted 4.9 million visits.

As for archaeological sites, Chichén Itzá led with 1.4 million visitors, followed by Teotihuacán with its Site Museum (995,000) and Tulum (930,000). Together, these three sites accounted for 51% of all visits nationwide.

“Museums and archaeological sites not only preserve historical and cultural heritage, but also drive local economies, create jobs, and strengthen national identity. These spaces provide unique experiences for both domestic and international visitors, promoting sustainable development and social well-being,” Rodríguez Zamora emphasized.

She added that these figures reaffirm the importance of cultural tourism as an economic driver, in line with President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s directive to ensure that the benefits of the tourism sector reach the entire value chain.