Cancún’s Playa Caracol: Public Beach Vanishing?

Cancún, Q. Roo — What was once an emblematic spot for Cancún families has now become a scene of citizen discontent: Playa Caracol is saturated with private umbrellas and sun loungers, raising alarms about the right of access to public beaches in Mexico.

The Video Exposing the Situation

A video disseminated by the agency InZoom.MX is circulating on social media, showing how a large part of the sand at Playa Caracol, located in the heart of the hotel zone, is occupied by rental furniture, minimizing the free spaces available for residents and tourists seeking to enjoy the beach without paying.

The images show rows of sun loungers and umbrellas lined up as if it were an exclusive club, creating the sensation that public access has practically disappeared.

Where Did the Public Beach Go?

The frustration of beachgoers and civil organizations stems from the fact that the General Law of National Assets establishes that beaches are public goods for common use and, therefore, have free access for all citizens. However, at Playa Caracol, visitors report that it is difficult to find a free space, as the area is dominated by private concessions that turn the sand into a business.

The Dilemma Between Concessions and Citizen Rights

Although tourist concessions are permitted by federal regulations, the complaint points to insufficient urban planning and oversight by the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) and the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone agency (Zofemat), which facilitates abuses that restrict free transit and enjoyment of the coastline.

For citizens, the problem is not the existence of rental services, but that they invade the entire space, effectively erasing the strip of beach that should remain free and accessible.

Demand to Reclaim Public Space

Environmental groups and frequent beach users have demanded the intervention of municipal and federal authorities to guarantee the application of the law and prevent Playa Caracol from becoming a privatized beach.

The call is clear: to reclaim the public character of Cancún's beaches, a symbol of identity and common heritage, in the face of the advance of private interests.