Tourist Visits to Mexico’s Archaeological Sites Rise 4.6%: Sectur

Mexico’s rich historical and cultural heritage continues to attract both domestic and international visitors. According to data from the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur), the country’s archaeological sites received 4.5 million visitors between January and May 2025, a 4.6% increase compared to the same period last year.

The head of Sectur, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, reported that according to figures from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), 61% of those visitors were domestic tourists, while 39% were international, reaffirming the global appeal of Mexico’s archaeological heritage.

Among the most visited sites are three icons of cultural tourism in Mexico:

• Chichén Itzá, in Yucatán, with 981,000 visitors
• Teotihuacán, in the State of Mexico, including its on-site museum, with 722,000 visits
• Tulum, in Quintana Roo, with 576,000 visitors

Rodríguez Zamora emphasized that these sites are not only key tourist attractions, but also pillars of national identity and drivers of regional economic growth.

Historic Surge in Museum Attendance

Interest in Mexico’s history extends beyond its archaeological sites. During the same period, the country’s museums received 5.3 million visitors—a 25.6% increase compared to 2024 and 5.9% above pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Of those museum visitors, 89% were Mexican nationals and 11% were foreign tourists. The most visited museums during this time were:

• National Museum of Anthropology, accounting for 47% of total visits
• National Museum of History (Chapultepec Castle), with 22%
• Templo Mayor Museum, with 4%

Culture as a Tourism Driver

The Minister highlighted that these cultural sites serve as “a window to the past that allows visitors to reconnect with this historical legacy,” underscoring their role as guardians of Mexico’s grandeur and cultural identity.

The growing number of tourists to these sites confirms the public’s strong interest in authentic and meaningful experiences, further positioning Mexico as a leading international destination for cultural tourism.

Boosting tourism to archaeological sites and museums is also aligned with the federal government’s efforts to diversify tourist attractions, promote heritage conservation, and foster development in communities surrounding these emblematic sites.