Cancun, Quintana Roo — Mexican environmental authorities have approved the operation and expansion of a hostel-hotel in Cancun’s hotel zone, even though construction began before the required environmental impact assessment was submitted.
The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) authorized the Mayan Monkey project, located at kilometer 9.5 of the hotel zone on Laguna Bojórquez, part of the Nichupté lagoon system. The approval, contained in official letter SRA DGIRA DG0523826, comes after the development operated for years and started construction without the corresponding Environmental Impact Statement (MIA), leading to sanctions from the Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa).
Despite the irregularities, Semarnat authorized the construction of a multi-level terrace divided into four areas: a restaurant, a prefabricated 47.70-square-meter pool, a sunbed area, and a DJ space. Also approved were a dock for small boats, and finishes and general installations for six stilt cabins totaling approximately 24 rooms, along with previously built hallways and a booth.
According to the final information submitted by the promoter, Alkrou Shared Services, the existing and sanctioned areas total approximately 835.43 square meters, of which 484.44 correspond to stilt cabins, 342.76 to hallways, and 8.23 to the booth. Originally, 11 stilt cabins were planned, but the promoter withdrew five during the evaluation process.
Hotel Started Construction Without Environmental Permit
The Señor Frog’s hostel, to which the works are attached, had a 2018 environmental authorization for its original project. However, the new Mayan Monkey development was handled independently.
In September 2021, Profepa inspectors found on-site construction at 40% completion of a hardwood deck made of tropical chicozapote wood, measuring 81.75 meters long by 13.35 meters wide, anchored directly into the lagoon water. In December 2021, a fine of 50,000 pesos was imposed, and the works were ordered to stop immediately, along with site restoration or submission to the environmental impact assessment process.
The promoter paid the fine and submitted the Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) in April 2022. In 2023, Profepa issued another resolution for repeat violations — additional unauthorized works — imposing a fine of 20,000 pesos.
The promoter reduced the project’s scope, and the final resolution in June 2026 authorized the described works but with an extensive package of mitigation, compensation, and condition measures for operation and maintenance.
These include a mangrove reforestation and restoration program covering at least 484.44 square meters — equivalent to the previously affected area; water quality monitoring in Laguna Bojórquez; a crocodile monitoring program endorsed by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas; flora and fauna rescue and relocation programs; waste management; and prevention of collapse due to weather events, among others.
The resolution explicitly acknowledges the early execution of works without prior authorization and establishes equivalent environmental compensation measures.
The development is located in a sensitive area of the Nichupté lagoon system, characterized by pollution problems and tourism pressure in Cancun’s hotel zone. The authorization comes after more than four years of processing and allows the regularization of the Mayan Monkey hotel at that specific point.
The promoter must comply with all established terms and deadlines, in addition to obtaining other federal, state, and municipal permits, including a possible concession title in the federal maritime-terrestrial zone.
