Mexico Ends Beach Entry Fees for All

Mexico City — The Tourism Commission of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, chaired by Deputy Tania Palacios Kuri of the National Action Party (PAN), has unanimously approved a measure to guarantee free and unrestricted access to beaches and protected natural areas.

The approved legislation amends the General Laws of National Assets and of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection. It was originally presented by Deputies Ricardo Monreal Ávila and Enrique Vázquez Navarro of the Morena party.

Guaranteeing Free Access to Public Beaches

The reform to the General Law of National Assets establishes that access to maritime beaches and the adjacent federal maritime-terrestrial zone will be free, permanent, and open to all persons without distinction of origin, nationality, or social condition. This access cannot be inhibited, restricted, obstructed, or conditioned except in cases specified by other laws or administrative regulations.

Federal, state, and municipal authorities, within their respective jurisdictions, are mandated to guarantee safe and signposted access from public roads to the maritime beaches and the contiguous federal maritime-terrestrial zone.

The law explicitly prohibits the imposition of charges, fees, or restrictive conditions for entry to these areas, except by express provision for environmental prevention and protection, public safety, national interest, and in cases established by administrative regulations.

Furthermore, concessions or permits in federal maritime-terrestrial zones must include provisions for public access to the beaches. Non-compliance with this condition will be grounds for revocation of the concession.

New Rules for Protected Natural Areas

The reform to the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection specifies that the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) must guarantee the general public free access to the protected natural areas under its jurisdiction at least one day per week, preferably on Sundays or holidays. This access must be carried out with full respect for measures to care for and protect biodiversity and ecosystems.

A transitory article in the legislation states that Semarnat, the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp), and the corresponding authorities must make the necessary regulatory adjustments within their functions within 90 natural days following the decree’s entry into force. Similarly, the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit will carry out pertinent adjustments within the same period in accordance with the current Federal Law of Duties.

Lawmakers Hail a Restoration of Public Rights

The president of the Tourism Commission, Tania Palacios Kuri, stated that the measure pertains to the right to enjoy what belongs to Mexicans and is also a recognition of local tourism.

“The reform seeks to give back to the people what is theirs: free and open beaches, with safe access, and the prohibition of improper charges,” she expressed.

She referred to Mexico’s position as the sixth place worldwide for visitors who come to see its natural and patrimonial wealth. “The fact that there are unjust checkpoints, improper charges that inhibit not only family coexistence but also the possibility that girls, boys, and adolescents can enjoy what is theirs, is something that must be grounded in the law by constitutional right and also by sensitivity to an issue such as the one that concerns us today,” Palacios Kuri said.

Deputy Beatriz Milland Pérez of Morena stated that this initiative is of great relevance because it “returns to the people what has always been theirs: the right to enjoy nature without economic and social barriers.” With this reform, she considered, it is reaffirmed that natural resources are the nation’s heritage, and therefore their free and orderly access must be guaranteed.

Deputy Luis Humberto Aldana Navarro of Morena mentioned that the reform proposes to guarantee that all protected areas and areas of federal jurisdiction have one day of free access per week. “It is not about opening indiscriminately or risking conservation, it is about making the right to a healthy environment and social inclusion compatible,” he said.

Via Zoom, Deputy Bruno Blancas Mercado of Morena stated that the proposal is something that should never have had to be done because the beaches belong to Mexicans, and for some reason the rules were changed and they were handed over to private individuals, but “today these spaces return to the nation.”

For the PVEM party, Deputy Karina Alejandra Trujillo Trujillo highlighted that this adjustment benefits the population, which is eager to see concrete actions that represent well-being in their community. Furthermore, it favorably impacts the tourism sector and guarantees free access to beaches and protected natural areas.

Miguel Alejandro Alonso Reyes, a deputy of the PRI, expressed that the reform represents a significant advance and a protection of natural heritage, equity in land use, and the promotion of tourism that respects social justice. He called it a crucial step towards the consolidation of policies that prioritize collective well-being and environmental sustainability. He also said it ensures free and unrestricted access to national beaches, reaffirming their status as national assets for common use.

Senator Eugenio Segura Vázquez of Morena, representing Quintana Roo and in his capacity as president of the Senate’s Tourism Commission, was present at the session. He mentioned the importance of this reform for the tourism sector, noting that eight out of every ten pesos are spent by Mexicans and the rest by foreigners. He also stated that it fosters social justice by promoting free access to these spaces.

In general matters, Deputy María Damaris Silva Santiago of Morena expressed that with the approval of the measure, “today we made history.”