Edzna now has a sound-and-light show that runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm; admission is M$112.
Grutas de Xtacumbilxunaan (p. 283) also has had a sound-and-light show added, and the price has been raised to M$50, plus M$30 for translation headsets. It is a rather dull show, and not worth the money.
The Castelmar hotel (mentioned in the Reforma review, p. 274) has been totally (and attractively) redone, and now runs about M$800 a night, which is a good price for a place with a pool.
Hotel Lopez (p. 274) has a pool now as well, making it excellent value.
None of the city museums are open in the evenings anymore. The standard hours are Tues–Sun 9.30am–5.30pm.
The Museo de las Estelas is now the Museo de Arquitectura Maya, and is open the same hours as the rest of the city museums.
There’s a small pirate museum in the Puerta de Tierra now (entrance M$30) – entrance is optional, as is the new M$40 audio guide to go with the walk along the top of the ramparts. (Entrance to the ramparts is still M$10.)
The Jardin Botanico Xmuch’haltun (p. 276) has reopened (a previous update said it was closed). Admission is M$10. It’s open Mon–Sat 9am–9pm, Sun 9am–4pm.
The pirate ship “Lorencillo” (p. 279) did not seem to be operating when I visited in February 08.
There’s now a parador turística–a glorified highway pull-off—near Becal where you can buy all sorts of panama hats. Most are in the semi-decent souvenir category, though.
The sound-and-light show (p. 276) now costs M$40 and starts at 8.30pm. It also costs M$10 to go up in the Puerta de Tierra during the day, and there’s a small museum there now.
The Museo de las Estelas (p. 276) has been renamed the Museo de la Escultura Maya, and has English labeling.
Mansión Carvajal (p. 275) has reopened—you can visit between 8am and 2pm Mon–Fri.
Fuerte de San José (p. 277) has reopened.
It’s not stated explicitly in the text, but note that no city museums are open on Monday, so plan accordingly.
Jardín Botánico Xmuch’haltún (p. 276) is closed.
Hotel América (p. 275) is being remodeled, which is good—except the sort of modern décor doesn’t really go with the colonial house it’s in, so it’s still a bit odd and dark and musty, and the prices are now in the (6) category. Not terrible, but there are now better hotels in this price category, such as…
Hotel López (p. 274), which has also remodeled, to much better effect. The place has a nice Twenties apartment-complex feel, and the rooms are quite nice-looking, all with a/c, TV and wireless Internet, for $421 for a double.
Sir Francis Drink (p. 278) is closed.
