Playa del Carmen Loses Dual Environmental Certification for 14 Beaches

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Playa del Carmen has lost its dual environmental certification for 14 beaches, plus one that was in the process of being certified, after previously holding 25 Blue Flag and Platino designations. Environmental activists attribute the loss to a lack of federal investment and political will to protect the coastline.

Liliana Vázquez Oliva, an environmental activist, said the city had once led Quintana Roo in beach certifications, but the current situation reflects a lack of political commitment to conserve the coastal areas. “It’s due to a lack of investment — there are no federal resources to conserve and protect the beaches, coupled with a lack of political vision and the ability to serve to care for the goose that lays the golden eggs that sustains everyone’s economy,” she said.

Activist Ángel de la Mora Gutiérrez added that there is no interest in protecting the beaches, which are the main attraction for tourists. Without regular cleanups, international certification bodies cancel the designations.

The certifications were withdrawn because the beaches failed to meet 42 evaluation criteria for Blue Flag and 21 criteria for Platino, which require annual assessments covering sand and water quality, waste management, inclusive facilities, accessibility, staff training, and signage, according to activist Carlos Jiménez.

Among the beaches that lost certification were Punta Esmeralda, Pelícanos, Xcalacoco, and Playa 88.

According to the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), obtaining Blue Flag certification in Mexico requires compliance with strict standards for water quality, environmental management, safety, services, and environmental information, along with document audits, technical inspections, cleanliness monitoring, and approval by national juries.

Vázquez Oliva said sargassum mats and coastal erosion of more than a kilometer have also contributed to the loss. She criticized the municipal government for not investing federal funds to maintain the beaches, and noted that the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat) lacks sufficient personnel and vessels to collect sargassum offshore. “This government neglect is costing the people of Playa del Carmen dearly, because without hygienic beaches, tourists are looking for other destinations that offer safety and cleanliness,” she said.

Diver Gregorio Murillo commented that authorities failed to protect the beaches, which he called the city’s most valuable resource.

The beaches that previously held Platino and Blue Flag certifications included Pelícanos, Punta Esmeralda, Playa 88 and 72, Punta Maroma, Montecarlo, Petrel Norte, El Cisne, Blue Parrot, Xcalacoco, and concession areas at hotels Viva Azteca, Ocean Beach, Gran Sirenis, Grand Velas, and Viva Maya. Fundadores beach was in the process of certification.