Playa del Carmen Dog Beach Collective Urges More Pet Spaces

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — The Dog Beach Collective, which promotes Beach 72 for dog walking, has urged that more spaces for canines be enabled in neighborhoods and subdivisions to alleviate pressure on this coastal stretch.

Sergio Beristáin Cano, founder of Dog Beach, maintained that there is a need for more spaces because this beach can no longer accommodate more dogs, with about 100 visiting daily.

Therefore, he indicated, it is necessary that such spaces also be enabled in the urban area.

“There really aren’t enough spaces here in Playa del Carmen for people to take their dogs for walks, so because of that everyone is coming to the beach, there is quite an influx of dogs. It shows us that there is indeed a need to have other parks in the city, enclosed parks so people can let their dogs off leash,” said Beristáin Cano.

This beach is located at the level of the Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta neighborhood. Access is via a path that is not yet legally regulated in favor of the municipality because the lands that function as an easement passage are used by consensus.

“I think something very important are parks in the central area on this side of the federal highway, there is no place where people can take out their dogs and since it is a very touristy city, many foreigners also arrive with their dogs and well, they have no places other than Beach 72,” he stated.

The previous municipal administration showed little willingness to grant a space for dogs, which led to protests.

This administration has tolerated the space; in fact, events with pets have already been held at the site, which for the first time in the municipality’s history can access a stretch of the beach without their owners being fined.

Beristáin Cano explained that Beach 72 Dog Beach has generally been a success, which is why its high attendance has now become a matter of concern due to the lack of spaces for pet recreation.