Tulum Mayor Fights for Free Beach Access

TULUM, Mexico — Tulum Mayor Diego Castañón has taken one of the most recurring demands of local residents and visitors to the Chamber of Deputies: free and unrestricted access to beaches and protected natural areas. The proposal has been backed by legislators from the parliamentary group of the ruling Morena party in the current federal Legislature and presented as a reform initiative.

The objective of the initiative is to guarantee every person the right to enter public beaches and federal zones without charges or restrictions. The document also stipulates that concessions granted in the maritime-terrestrial zone must include public access points, and that failure to comply with this provision will be grounds for revocation.

In the case of protected natural areas, the initiative seeks to make access free at least one day a week—preferably Sundays or public holidays—reinforcing the social and cultural character of these spaces.

The push for this reform responds to the situation faced by the municipality of Tulum following the creation of the Jaguar Park, where high fees are currently charged for access to beaches and the archaeological zone. The measure has generated social discontent and caused economic harm to artisans, tour guides, and service providers due to a decrease in the number of visitors.

“The attraction of Tulum has always been its archaeological heritage by the sea and its public beaches; imposing fees directly affects the population and tourism,” stated Castañón in justification of the reform.

The proposal aims to reverse the decline in cultural and ecological tourism, protect the economy of local families, and guarantee that indigenous communities are not marginalized from the enjoyment of these spaces. If approved, it would allow Tulum to reposition itself as an accessible destination for nationals and foreigners alike, strengthening its cultural and recreational vocation.

During his visit to Mexico City, Castañón also held a meeting with the Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, with whom he discussed strategies to attract investments that would strengthen both large hotels and tourism businesses as well as small local enterprises and entrepreneurs.

The mayor assured that, together with Governor Mara Lezama, the commitment is to consolidate Tulum’s tourism and gastronomic offerings, with the purpose of ensuring development opportunities reach all communities in the municipality.

President Claudia Sheinbaum, during a recent visit to Quintana Roo, stated that her administration is preparing a decree to provide free entry on Sundays to the archaeological zones of Tulum, following the model already implemented by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) at other sites in the country.