Quintana Roo Weighs Permanent Revocation of Permits for Legacy by Awa Playacar After Closure Seals Broken

View of the Legacy by Awa Playacar residential and tourist development in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, where environmental authorities placed closure seals

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Quintana Roo officials are considering permanently revoking the permits granted to the Legacy by Awa Playacar development after it was shut down and its closure seals were broken earlier this month.

Óscar Rébora, the state secretary of ecology and environment (Sema), said the permits had already been suspended temporarily for failing to meet required conditions, and authorities are now studying whether to cancel them for good.

“If they repeat the non-compliance, the license would be revoked,” Rébora said, adding that the permits were originally issued within the areas under his agency’s authority.

Residents Reported Broken Seals

In early September, residents of the property inside the Playacar residential and tourist complex publicly reported that seals placed by the Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) had been broken. Municipal authorities responded and took action, and new seals were installed at the site.

The development’s plan calls for building more than 200 apartments.

Rébora noted that Profepa installed the original seals, so that agency will handle any proceedings over their rupture. Breaking an official closure seal is an offense covered under Mexico’s Federal Penal Code.

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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