Beach Chairs and Umbrellas Again Invade Free-Pass Zone at Playa Norte in Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo — Concessionaires have once again occupied nearly the entire pedestrian area of Playa Norte, placing lounge chairs and umbrellas in many cases less than three meters from the water’s edge, according to bathers and local residents on the island.

Users are calling on Dayana Pérez, director of the Federal Maritime Land Zone (Zofemat), to intervene and clear the 10 meters that regulations set aside for public passage in that section of the beach.

Inés Cervera asked authorities to free the stretches near the water occupied by hotel lounge chairs and umbrellas, a situation she described as recurring. “Don’t you think they should use only one area, further back, and leave the rest free for islanders and tourists?” she asked.

Workers Say Rules Are Being Broken

Workers at nearby businesses, including Sandra Robles, Pascual Tun and Oscar Tavira, called the practice abnormal, saying some concessionaires force their employees to push into the 10-meter passage even though they have enough room to set up their equipment elsewhere. Despite this, they said, the operators insist on violating the rules.

The same problem occurs at almost every street outfall along the beach, including Zazil-Há, Carlos Lazo, Guerrero, Hidalgo and Rueda Medina.

“What stands out most is that staff are almost always at Playa Norte and Centro supervising the cleaning of both spots, done by the men and women responsible for that daily work, but it seems they don’t see this,” Pascual Tun said.

Kati, a visitor from Germany, said the hotel equipment bothers her a great deal. “We pay thousands of euros to get here, we are already tired and we won’t come back until this is fixed,” she warned. She said she now prefers to spend future vacations in Thailand, where she believes beach areas offer better conditions for resting.

Eunice Bacelis, a local resident, echoed the frustration of islanders and demanded a free-access area where families can enjoy their days off.

Former Officials Cite Right of Access

Former city councilors Emilio Sosa and Antonio Valencia agreed that Mexican law guarantees everyone the right of free access to beaches. Sosa urged Mayor Atenea Gómez and other agencies to prevent the occupation of public sand.

In 2022, the municipal council voted in favor of removing such equipment from narrow stretches, leaving a five-meter passage, and 10 meters where the beach is wider, such as at the Carlos Lazo street outfall, a lower-ranking Zofemat official recalled.