Mayan Ruins pics

[sammy2882]

For those of you who have been... is it worth taking any wedding pics at the mayan ruins? We are bringing our photographer with us, and he brought up the idea of going to the ruins the day after the wedding to take pictures. Any thoughts/recs?

 

Stacey

[*tinkertoy*]

Tulum is GORGEOUS!

[TATrisha]

It is illegal, so I would say NO, it's not worth it.

You will not be allowed onto the property. If you are caught inside in your wedding dress, you will be escorted out... and, they will take the photographers discs of images away.

You will also most likely receive a lovely fine.

 

It stinks, as the ruins are GORGEOUS. But it makes sense. It's their culture (the Mayans) and you can't really mess with that.

 

There are some ruins which are just randomly spattered across the coast. Since those aren't government property, you can use those. However, without having a native or knowledgable photographer... they are very hard to find.

[sammy2882]

oh no! really!? thank you for the heads up!

[feebi]

What if you just wear a pretty white dress? Will they allow you to take pictures then? Just a thought.

[TATrisha]

Um, it depends HOW pretty.  I mean, if it's a short sun dress, then I'm sure... until one of the gaurds catches you inside and makes you erase your memory cards (this seriously DID happen to a photographer who is part of this forum, anyone remember who?  I can't think of his name right now).

If it even remotely looks like a wedding dress, and you're being posed and taking pictures... I'm pretty sure you'll be stopped.

[feebi]

Thanks for the info!

[Norma83]

We went to the Chichen-Itza this summer and they were pretty strict.  They had all these requirements before going into the ruins about cameras, etc.  You can't touch the pyramids or anything.  If you are thinking about Chichen-itza, I think your chances to get away with it are pretty slim.  Have you thought about La Coba?  This is a new place they just recently opened and from what I understand you can climb the ruins.  I think La Coba is the tallest ruin they've discovered so far.  You might have more flexibility here since it's new and they are wanting people to tour it.  At one time, you used to be able to climb Chichen-itza but because they are trying to preserve it, they've made everything off limits. 

 

Anyway, hope this helps!

[arkae]

this is really sad, i was planning on doing a shoot there... i would love to hear some ideas from people who were able to get around this

[LaLuna]

This is permit issue and a very serious one many spots, including Coba.  Tallest pyramid, our fav adventure.  Rent bikes when your there.  

 

They are so serious about cameras (i've visited tons of ruin sites) wip out a tripod or a video camera or wedding dress, they start thinking something commercial.  I once had a JOBY tripod, a small thing we were using for lights and holding small video cameras....no way, cant pass.  I'm like what the heck is happening?  pretty strict, we don't touch shooting at archaeological sites, Coba, Chichen, tulum, and various others and even in Playa Car Fase 1, the security guards always ask photographers to leave...or take bribes .   There are small fishing villages and small shrines here and there, perhaps your photographer can hook that up... Local vendors will likely be WAY helpful.

 

There are ruins at Grand Oxxidental Xcaret hotel... you can go there for sure if you stay in the hotel...might be a consideration!

 

Some tour companies have access to properties that have shrines, maybe the concierge can help out with a recommendation.

 

good luck