Cancún Plants 1,000 Trees to Cool Urban Heat Zones

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The Benito Juárez Directorate of Ecology has announced plans to plant more than 1,000 native trees in the coming months to mitigate rising temperatures in urban areas. The initiative will prioritize locations with excessive concrete coverage, such as medians along major avenues and peripheral subdivisions, where heat retention is most severe.

Fernando Haro, Director of Ecology, stated that the agency is currently mapping these hotspots, where temperatures can be up to five degrees Celsius higher than surrounding areas. Neighborhoods like Villas Otoch and Paraíso Maya are among the most affected.

Identifying Critical Heat Zones

The National GeoIntelligence Laboratory has identified at least 30 critical heat points in Cancún, including the intersection of Centenario Avenue and Agustín Melgar, as well as the triangle formed by Chac Mool, Kabah, and Leona Vicario Avenues. Daytime temperatures in these areas frequently exceed 34 degrees Celsius.

The reforestation effort will focus on native species such as cedar, ceiba, tzalam, and guayacán. These trees are expected to provide shade, improve air quality, and enhance the city’s climate resilience. Haro emphasized the importance of using the municipal vegetation palette to ensure compatibility with the local ecosystem, promoting sustainable and long-term benefits.

"By selecting species adapted to our environment, we ensure a positive and lasting impact on the city," Haro said.

The project aligns with broader efforts to address urban heat islands and improve livability in Cancún’s fastest-growing areas.