Playa del Carmen’s 12 Beaches Earn Top Eco-Certification

PLAYA DEL CARMEN — The municipality of Playa del Carmen has reaffirmed its commitment to coastal sustainability by renewing its "Platinum Beaches 2025" certification. This achievement reflects the municipal commitment to conservation, environmental education, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The certification was awarded during the 5th National Meeting of Sustainable Beaches and was granted by the Mexican Institute for Standardization and Certification, A.C. (IMNC). It recognizes the municipality's compliance with the highest standards of environmental quality, safety, infrastructure, and sustainable management.

The distinction was delivered following a technical evaluation process that considered aspects such as the comprehensive management of waste, constant monitoring of water quality, user safety, and universal accessibility. This recognition once again places Playa del Carmen among the coastal destinations with the highest number of beaches certified under this distinction at the national level.

During the ceremony, the IMNC emphasized the importance of the advances achieved by the municipality in environmental conservation and coastal management, as well as its role in promoting responsible tourism. The meeting brought together authorities and specialists in coastal zone management from across the country, who shared experiences on good practices in sustainability and coastal management.

The Secretariat of Sustainable Environment and Climate Change, headed by Samantha Álvarez Hernández, and the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone Directorate (ZOFEMAT), under the charge of Irving Rafael Lili Madrigal, represented the municipality at this forum. The continuous work carried out to maintain the standards required by the certification was highlighted.

Certified Beaches

In the 2025 edition, Playa del Carmen obtained the renewal for 12 beaches under different modalities of the program:

• Modalidad A: Playa Caribe, Cunaro de Piedra, Playa 38, Playa Cisne, Playa 72, Playa Pirata, and Playa Montecarlo.
• Modalidad B: Playa Petrel.
• Modalidad D: Playa Pelícanos, Playa 88, Playa Xcalacoco, and Playa Punta Esmeralda.

The "Playa Platino" distinction certifies compliance with technical criteria regarding environmental excellence, accessibility, cleanliness, safety, and monitoring of seawater quality by accredited laboratories. Each beach has an annual validity, and its renewal depends on constant maintenance and the improvement of its conditions.

Commitment to Education and Collaboration

The recognition also implies a permanent commitment to environmental education and citizen participation, fundamental pillars for guaranteeing the sustainability of coastal ecosystems. In this sense, collaboration between institutions, ZOFEMAT workers, service providers, and visitors has been key to maintaining the beaches in optimal condition.

Playa del Carmen is part of the National Platinum Beaches Alliance, a network that promotes cooperation between coastal municipalities and strengthens the tourist promotion of certified destinations. This alliance seeks to consolidate a national model of sustainable beaches that prioritizes the protection of the natural environment and the well-being of local communities.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

The "Playas Platino" program contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations' 2030 Agenda, particularly in the areas of:

• SDG 14: Life Below Water, through the protection of marine ecosystems.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by fostering responsible environmental planning.
• SDG 13: Climate Action, by promoting practices that mitigate the effects of climate change.