Bacalar Municipality Faces Questions Over Inflated Costs for Horseback Riding Event

Bacalar, Quintana Roo — Municipal officials in Bacalar are facing scrutiny after reports emerged that a local horseback riding event budgeted for significantly more participants than actually attended, raising questions about spending.

The municipality announced on social media that 1,200 riders participated in the “Caribbean Mexican Cavalcade” event last August, but contracts and planning documents show expenses were calculated for 2,100 people.

The five-day event, held from August 15 to 20, 2025, cost local taxpayers 475,800 pesos (approximately $475,800) for sound equipment and food services alone.

According to participants, the organizing committee increased purchase figures for the event with the philosophy: “Better to have too much than too little.”

Two contracts detail the spending. The first, contract MB/OM/CRM/SERV.SONORIZACION/44/2025, awarded to Karen Michel G.T. for sound equipment services, totaled $208,800. The equipment list included four RCF nx912 speakers, four Avante speakers, six Avante subwoofers, four Shure ULXD4 digital wireless systems, four Shure ULXD2/B58 handheld transmitters, a Yamaha DM3 mixer, eight Hercules MS432B microphone stands, a two-phase charging center, six Shure SM-58 microphones, six Shure SM-57 microphones, and a 75 kVA generator.

The second contract, MB/OM/CRM/SERV.DE.ALIMENTACION/40/2025, awarded to Stephani Guadalupe G.P. for food services, totaled $267,000 and specified meals for 2,100 attendees.

Since only 1,200 riders participated, questions have been raised about the 900 unaccounted-for meals. The food service contract specifically covered participants in the cavalcade, not spectators.

The event was promoted as fostering tradition, fellowship, and equine welfare in the Mexican Caribbean, but critics argue cultural events with loose spending controls create opportunities for resource diversion.

Bacalar Mayor José Alfredo Contreras Méndez organized the event as part of local tradition preservation efforts.