Playa Paraíso Condo Project Blocked for Environmental Violations

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) has rejected a federal permit for a condominium project in Playa Paraíso, located north of Playa del Carmen. The project had been initiated without the necessary permits in previous years, attracting criticism from environmentalists.

Semarnat disclosed in its Ecological Gazette that it had turned down the permits for the project promoter, DK del Caribe. This decision followed the submission of a technical document for review in the middle of the previous year. The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) had already issued a closure order for the site, necessitating regulation of the work being carried out on the coast.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) revealed that the project involved the construction and operation of an apartment block on a 1,200 square meter plot in Playa Paraíso. This area is approximately 20 kilometers north of Playa del Carmen, within the Solidaridad municipality.

Playa Paraíso is a residential area featuring private homes, apartments, hotels, green spaces, and beach access. The promoter aimed to add to these existing structures. However, construction commenced before the required permits were secured. In fact, a license was revoked by the council of the previous Solidaridad administration.

This situation mirrors a similar incident in Bahía Solimán, Tulum, where construction began without the necessary permits. Semarnat officially announced the refusal of environmental permits on Friday, although DK del Caribe has the right to appeal this decision.

Playa Paraíso is known for its high-end housing projects, with some of the most luxurious accommodations on the Riviera Maya, such as the Vidanta complex and the Iberostar hotel. The area is currently awaiting approval for another environmental impact project – a condominium development, subject to Semarnat's approval.