Tulum Residents Fight for Free Access to Jaguar Park Beaches

Residents of Tulum have raised accusations against the administrators of the newly opened Jaguar Park. They allege that the administrators have taken control of the site and are unlawfully blocking public access to the beaches.

Jaguar Park, a recent addition to Tulum, spans approximately 2,913 hectares. It blends nature conservation with cultural and recreational activities, offering a unique experience for locals and tourists alike. However, there are reports that the park's administrators have monopolized the site, preventing free access to the beaches, an act considered illegal.

According to the General Law of National Assets, public access to beaches and the adjoining federal maritime terrestrial zone is a right that cannot be restricted, obstructed, conditioned, or inhibited, except under certain regulatory circumstances. The law also stipulates that public access to a 20-meter (65 feet) zone inland from the high tide line cannot be denied.

Despite these regulations, the administrators of Jaguar Park have been accused of limiting public access for their own benefit. This has sparked outrage among Tulum's residents and tourists who refuse to pay for entry to a site that is a public asset.

In response to this situation, Tulum residents and tourists have launched a petition titled "For a Tulum with free beach access" on the Change.org platform. The petition calls for authorities to intervene and remove the current administrators from Jaguar Park, advocating for the park to be freely accessible to all. The petition also requests the government to grant free and unrestricted beach access in the hotel zone for all local, national, and foreign visitors, given the restricted access to Jaguar Park.

The petition has already garnered over 24,000 signatures and continues to invite people to sign and leave comments about the situation. Some signatories assert that the administrators are not only monopolizing the space but are also constructing shops and a large restaurant. These developments could potentially undermine the park's primary objective of conserving local flora and fauna.