Mexico confirms some Mayan ruin sites are unreachable because of gang violence and land conflicts

Mexico is acknowledging that at least two well-known Mayan ruin sites are unreachable by visitors due to cartel violence or land disputes

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico’s government has acknowledged that at least two well-known Mayan ruin sites are unreachable by visitors due to a toxic mix of cartel violence and land disputes.

But two tourist guides in the southern state of Chiapas, near the border with Guatemala, say two other sites that the government claims are still open to visitors can only be reached by passing though drug gang checkpoints.

The explosion of drug cartel violence in Chiapas since last year has left the Yaxchilán ruin site completely cut-off, the government conceded Friday.

The tour guides — who spoke on condition of anonymity because they must still work in the area — said gunmen and checkpoints are often seen on the road to another site, Bonampak, famous for its murals.

They say that to get to yet another archaeological site, Lagartero, travelers are forced to hand over identification and cellphones at cartel checkpoints.