Many places don't allow tripods because they seem to automatically think 'professional commercial shot' where the picture will be used for something. Not that you need a tripod as much nowadays with digital and changing ISO at a drop of the hat. I know when I went to Cancun none of the places we went (like Chiciniza) allowed me to take my tripod. I would have had to apply for a $150 permit in advance to do so. They didn't want folks to take 'postcard worthy' shots of the stuff where I might make money off it.