Costa Mujeres Hotel Built Without Permits for 2 Years

Costa Mujeres, Quintana Roo — A hotel construction project in Costa Mujeres has raised concerns after it was revealed that the development, ongoing for over two years, lacks the required land-use permit as mandated by Quintana Roo’s Law on Human Settlements, Territorial Planning, and Urban Development.

Key Details of the Hotel Project

The project, managed by the company MAGOGÓN S.A. de C.V., has the following specifications:

• Legal representative: José Alejandro González Pou
• Location: Block 002, Lot 011 of the Condominio Maestro Costa Mujeres
• Estimated progress: Nearly completed
• Projected number of rooms: 599

Under state law, all individuals or entities must obtain a Certificate of Urban Congruence from the Secretariat of Territorial and Sustainable Urban Development (SEDETUS) before commencing any construction. This requirement is outlined in Article 80 of the current legislation.

However, the Costa Mujeres hotel exceeds 1,200 square meters of construction, a threshold defined by Article 81, making the certificate mandatory. Authorities have not verified whether the project possesses this documentation.

Construction Continues Despite Inspection Order

Sources close to the case reported that SEDETUS issued an inspection order with the intent to halt construction. Yet, the shutdown was never enforced, and work persists. The reasons for the lack of enforcement remain undisclosed.

Potential Legal Consequences

If confirmed that the project lacks proper permits, MAGOGÓN S.A. de C.V. could face:

• Fines ranging from 200 to 5,000 UMAs (over 500,000 pesos), per Article 298 of state law.
• Temporary or permanent closure of the construction site.
• Criminal prosecution, with penalties of two to six years in prison, as per Article 239 Bis of Quintana Roo’s Penal Code.

The case has drawn attention due to the project’s scale and the apparent inaction by authorities. Despite visible progress, no official suspension has been issued, and compliance with urban regulations remains unverified.

Can the Hotel Operate Without Approval?

Independent urban regulation experts consulted on the matter stated that without the required certificate, the hotel cannot obtain operational permits or be included in the National Tourism Registry. Even if construction is completed, the property would remain non-compliant and could be deemed non-regularizable.

Authorities Remain Silent

The Municipality of Isla Mujeres has not publicly addressed verification or oversight actions regarding the project. Given its urban and environmental impact, federal intervention may be necessary.

The ongoing construction in Costa Mujeres highlights potential regulatory violations. If permit omissions are confirmed, authorities will need to justify their handling of a case that could set a precedent for urban development compliance in Quintana Roo.