TULUM, Mexico – Jaguar Park, a monumental cultural and environmental conservation project, has emerged as one of Tulum’s premier tourist attractions following its inauguration. With an investment of 2.7 billion pesos, this 1,000-hectare park sets a milestone in sustainable development, blending nature and Maya history into the region’s tourism offerings. The official opening was led by Mexico’s President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, and Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa in an event that reaffirmed the importance of preserving the Maya cultural legacy while promoting eco-tourism.
Located on the former Tulum airstrip grounds, Jaguar Park has been transformed into a space that marries environmental protection by promoting Maya culture. The project includes the construction of bike paths, walking trails, viewpoints, and rehabilitating public beaches, offering visitors a unique experience in the lush Caribbean jungle. Additionally, the park is directly connected to the Tulum station of the Maya Train, facilitating access for both national and international tourists.
During the inauguration, Román Meyer Falcón, the Secretary of Agrarian, Territorial, and Urban Development (Sedatu) emphasized the interdisciplinary effort required to bring this project to life. He explained that the central objective was to resolve land tenure, mobility, and development threats posed by real estate interests. “From the beginning, we sought to give this park a new direction,” said Meyer Falcón. “We resolved land tenure issues, delineated the area, and addressed mobility concerns. The Maya Train is not only a means of transportation; it’s a vision for regional planning, bringing jobs, welfare, and a strong focus on environmental protection.”
The Jaguar Park project, initiated in 2022, has already recovered 300 hectares formerly used as an airstrip. The park features 2 kilometers of walking trails, a bike path, a perimeter wall, and two service modules. The facilities include a museum, seven access points to public beaches, two observation towers, smokehouse kitchens, and direct connections to the Maya Train station. Further amenities encompass bike racks, a central hub for electric buses, visitor centers, pedestrian crossings, fauna passageways, administrative zones, and spaces for contemplation.
Meyer Falcón reported that in 2023 alone, the park attracted over 600,000 visitors, and it is projected that by 2053, the number of annual visitors could surpass 2.4 million. This transformation has positioned the Jaguar Park as Mexico’s third most visited archaeological site, just behind Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan.
The park’s success is part of a broader vision for sustainable urban development in Quintana Roo, with 71 urban development plans implemented across the Yucatan Peninsula. These plans, developed by Sedatu, aim to shape the region’s future over the next 30 years, focusing on sustainability and cultural preservation. Meyer Falcón acknowledged the essential role of collaboration with state and municipal governments in bringing these strategies to fruition.
Governor Mara Lezama expressed her pride in the Jaguar Park, calling the day “historic” for Tulum. She highlighted the park as a vital ecological and recreational space that honors the region’s natural and cultural heritage. “This magnificent project dignifies and celebrates our Maya roots,” said Lezama, adding that the upgrades to Tulum’s archaeological zone and the new Costa Oriental Museum represent a new governance model that collaborates closely with local communities.
The park’s creation is part of a larger federal initiative to enhance Maya culture and preserve it for future generations. The park not only improves access to Tulum’s beaches, with seven new public entrances and rest areas, but also includes a new entrance to the archaeological zone, administrative offices, a library, and observation towers offering breathtaking views of the jungle, the ruins, and the Caribbean Sea. The project seeks to balance tourism development with environmental and cultural conservation.
One of the park’s most significant components is the new Costa Oriental Museum, the largest museum in the Maya Train network. Spanning 1,200 square meters, the museum houses 300 original archaeological pieces and 50 replicas, providing visitors with a comprehensive view of the Maya civilization’s regional history. The museum strengthens Tulum’s position as a central destination for cultural tourism in Mexico.
During his speech, President López Obrador urged both locals and tourists to protect the area’s natural resources, including the jungle, beaches, and archaeological sites. He stressed that while the park will foster Tulum’s development, the emphasis must remain on environmental protection. “We are committed to progress with justice,” López Obrador said, reiterating the government’s dedication to promoting equity and sustainability in development.
President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum echoed this sentiment, reaffirming her commitment to continuing the Fourth Transformation’s social programs, which include educational scholarships, women’s empowerment initiatives, and accessible healthcare for senior citizens. She highlighted the importance of these programs in reducing social inequalities and ensuring that Mexico’s cultural roots are preserved.
The Jaguar Park is a testament to the successful collaboration between the federal government and Quintana Roo’s state and local administrations. As the Maya Train project progresses, it is expected to further boost tourism and economic development across the southeastern region, always with an eye on sustainability and natural resource protection.
Diego Prieto Hernández, Director of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), and Román Meyer Falcón both agreed that the inauguration of Jaguar Park and the Costa Oriental Museum marks a turning point in the projection of Maya culture and its integration into the state’s tourism offerings. “This is about progress with justice,” said Governor Lezama, emphasizing that the benefits of tourism and investment must extend to all communities, particularly those most vulnerable.
