A grim crime story is unfolding in the far south of Quintana Roo, Mexico, close to the Kohunlich Archaeological Zone — a Mayan site roughly 65 kilometres west of Chetumal on Highway 186.
State prosecutors (FGE) have confirmed the identities of two women found dead on Sunday night: Misael and Liliana, both employees of a hotel near the ruins. Their bodies were discovered beside a white van belonging to the hotel, parked about four kilometres before the archaeological site.
According to preliminary reports, the two women and a third person left the hotel early on Sunday afternoon, September 27, in the company van. When they failed to return as expected, a search was launched. The vehicle was later found near a lagoon.
A third individual, named as 21-year-old Aquiles, was found severely beaten in Caobas, outside an eatery near the customs checkpoint on the Caobas–Xpujil highway. He had injuries to his face and neck and was struggling to speak and breathe. He was taken to Chetumal General Hospital, where he remains. Some reports have described him as the third hotel employee, but authorities have not publicly confirmed that link.
The causes of death have not yet been established. A possible robbery is one of the hypotheses being examined, and the investigation remains open.
For travellers, this is mainly a story to watch rather than a reason to change plans outright. Kohunlich is one of the quieter Mayan sites in the Yucatán Peninsula — famous for its mask-framed temple — and sees far fewer visitors than Chichén Itzá or Tulum. It sits in a remote, rural stretch of southern Quintana Roo near the Belizean border, where services are thin and police presence limited. Incidents like this are rare but a reminder to stay alert in isolated areas: keep to daylight visits, avoid unsolicited offers of rides, and let your accommodation know your plans.
If you're heading that way, the nearest real base is Chetumal, the state capital, which has an airport and decent hotels, or the small town of Xpujil, which serves as the gateway to the Rio Bec ruins including Kohunlich, Dzibanché and Kinichná. Most visitors reach the site by rental car or guided tour.
We'll follow the story as the investigation develops.
