Playa del Carmen Residents Denounce Tree Felling on Palmas 2 Boulevard

Heavy machinery and felled trees in the Palmas 2 green area of Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Residents of the Palmas II neighborhood and the Flor de Ciruelo extension in Playa del Carmen are denouncing the felling of trees in a green area they say was meant to become a public park.

The lot, roughly 100 meters per side, was expected to be developed into a park for local residents and visitors, according to neighbors. They also say a cenote may be present on the property.

Heavy machinery arrived the day before the complaint and began cutting down trees, destroying a large portion of the site, residents said. They claim they were neither consulted nor informed about the clearing, which they say is advancing quickly and threatens both the vegetation and the surrounding natural environment.

The residents also noted that a tarp on site — which typically identifies the authority or party responsible for a project — had allegedly been rolled up to obscure that information. Still, they said, it is possible to make out that the work may be linked to the state government.

The affected neighbors are now calling on the relevant authorities to investigate the property’s intended use, determine whether the tree removal was authorized, and implement measures to protect the environment. They say wildlife sightings are common in the area and fear that destroying the animals’ habitat could push them into residential zones or lead to their deaths.

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By Ana Reyes

Ana Reyes covers environmental policy, conservation initiatives, infrastructure projects, and political developments across the Yucatán Peninsula for Riviera Maya News & Events. She reports on issues from sargassum management and reef conservation to the Maya Train, coastal development, and state and federal policy affecting Quintana Roo and the broader peninsula.Ana has covered environmental and political news since 2023, tracking key developments in Mexico's environmental regulations, coral reef protection, coastal zone management, and the intersection of tourism development with conservation efforts. Her reporting spans from Cancun's hotel zone to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the culturally significant regions of the Yucatán interior.Ana is fluent in English and Spanish, and draws from a wide range of sources including government environmental agencies, conservation organizations, academic researchers, and local community leaders to provide balanced, well-sourced coverage. She is particularly focused on how environmental policy decisions affect the daily lives of residents and the long-term sustainability of the region.For story tips: ana@rivieramayanews.mx