Quintana Roo Activates Insurance to Protect Beaches and Reefs Ahead of Hurricane Season

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The state of Quintana Roo will activate an insurance policy for the 2026 hurricane season to protect more than 18 kilometers of beaches and reefs, ensuring rapid recovery of coastal ecosystems after a storm, the state’s Ecology and Environment Department (Sema) announced.

Sema Secretary Óscar Rébora Aguilera said the policy is designed to provide immediate funds for restoring affected areas, particularly in northern tourist destinations where beach stability is vital for tourism.

“Every year we have this financial protection, so we will activate a 9 million peso insurance policy again to address beach erosion,” Rébora said. “Having this support allows us to access immediate resources to restore affected areas and quickly recover coastal morphology in key destinations like Cancún and Playa del Carmen after a hurricane impact. This is in addition to operational actions along the coastline.”

The recovery program operates under an Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) valid until 2029, with adjustments to protect up to 18 kilometers of coastline and cover critical areas to reduce ecological risks.

Rébora also said the state is intensifying efforts to combat sargassum, installing more than 15 kilometers of containment barriers and conducting daily intensive cleaning to prevent sand degradation.

“We have intensified actions against this phenomenon, which is a constant challenge for the region,” he said. “Measures include deploying 180 additional Navy personnel, installing more than 15 kilometers of barriers, and soon incorporating a specialized vessel capable of collecting up to 600 tons of algae. These measures aim to combat the annual beach loss in areas like Cancún and the Riviera Maya, exacerbated by natural phenomena and climate change.”

During 2025, Quintana Roo’s beaches experienced persistent erosion, losing an average of 1 to 2 meters of sand per year. Although the hurricane season ended without a direct cyclone impact, strong swells and winds caused significant damage in the northern and central parts of the state.