New Cracks Around Playa del Carmen Sinkhole Raise Fears of Expansion

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — New cracks appearing in the pavement around a sinkhole on Sian Ka’an street are fueling concern that the damaged area could grow, as authorities have yet to determine what caused the ground to collapse.

The fissures have spread to other stretches of the roadway, heightening worries that the affected zone may expand. The sinkhole sits between Colosio Avenue and CTM Avenue, near sewer infrastructure operated by the private water utility Aguakan.

Officials have not established a cause, and determining the origin of the problem will require inspections of the terrain and the underground installations.

Residents and Experts Point to Water and Soil Conditions

Local resident Antonio Salazar said this type of damage can be linked to leaks in drinking water or drainage pipes, heavy rainfall, or excessive extraction of groundwater. He explained that moving water can drag away sediment and weaken the soil supporting the pavement, making it important to inspect nearby water infrastructure.

Engineer Joel Díaz said sinkholes in Quintana Roo can stem from a combination of natural factors and human activity. The region’s subsoil is made up mainly of limestone, which water can dissolve over time, encouraging the formation of underground cavities.

Díaz added that intense rains, poor fill material, inadequate compaction and insufficient drainage maintenance can also erode streets. Building on former mangrove land or fragile terrain, along with the constant passage of heavy vehicles, can increase pressure on vulnerable areas, he warned.

Sian Ka’an street is popularly known as the “crooked” street because of its irregular layout. According to urban development plans cited in the case, however, the road was designed that way from the time the land began to be sold to private owners.

Similar damage has occurred elsewhere in Playa del Carmen. About two years ago, a sinkhole was reported between CTM Avenue and Albatros street, in an area also linked to former mangrove land and fragile soil conditions.

While the cause of the Sian Ka’an collapse remains undetermined, the new cracks are keeping residents on edge about further damage. Inspections of the subsoil and water infrastructure will be key to establishing whether the problem stems from the natural characteristics of the terrain, failures in the installations, or a combination of both.