Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Bacalar officials have launched preventive measures ahead of the summer vacation season, aiming for a clean safety record, according to Marcelino Jiménez Contreras, the municipality’s civil protection director.
Jiménez said the goal is to achieve zero incidents during the holiday period. Authorities have already begun inspection operations and urged nautical, restaurant, and hotel operators to update their safety protocols.
“We are working on several security actions ahead of the summer vacation period, when we expect 80% operational capacity,” Jiménez said. “The objective is to provide safe conditions for tourists and ensure they have an incident-free stay, which also leaves a good impression. We have asked service providers to reinforce their attention and safety protocols, and we will be verifying compliance.”
Officials will also enforce life jacket use during boat tours on the Bacalar Lagoon, which has deep areas. Jiménez noted that there have been reports of captains or passengers not wearing life jackets, boats lacking enough vests, and vessels exceeding passenger capacity.
“The recommendation is to wear a life jacket during boat rides, as the lagoon has some deep zones,” he said. “It’s important that people enjoy the tour safely, especially since some cannot swim. We have also received reports of boats without enough life jackets, captains not wearing them, or exceeding passenger limits. We will monitor these situations and ensure everyone follows safety measures.”
Inspections and monitoring on the water will begin once the official summer operation is launched, with support from the Mexican Navy and the Harbor Master’s Office.
