Sargazo Seaweed Threatens Quintana Roo Tourism

Quintana Roo, Mexico — The ongoing sargazo seaweed invasion has severely impacted tourism-dependent businesses along Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Restaurant owners and beach club operators report drastic declines in customers, while both domestic and international visitors voice frustration over the deteriorating beach conditions.

Businesses Struggle Amid Declining Foot Traffic

Rodrigo Pérez, a beachfront restaurant owner, described the challenges: “It’s been a tough couple of weeks. We’re directly affected by the sargazo buildup—there’s more seaweed than beach, more seaweed than sand.” He noted that many customers leave upon seeing the state of the shoreline: “They arrive, look dissatisfied, reconsider, and usually decide to go elsewhere to eat or relax.”

The downturn is equally stark for beach clubs. Fernanda Valdez, an operator in Tulum, shared, “We used to serve about 15 tables a day. This week, we’ve had at most three tables—total, for the entire day. It’s hitting us hard.” Occupancy rates at some establishments have plummeted by as much as 80%, according to worker testimonies.

Tourists Express Disappointment

Marisa, a visitor from Argentina, lamented her experience: “We paid a lot to travel here, only to find we can’t swim in the sea or walk on the beach. The place is beautiful, but this needs to be fixed.”

Sargazo Forecast Worsens

The latest report from Quintana Roo’s Sargazo Monitoring Network predicts a 30% increase in seaweed landings for 2025, with an estimated accumulation exceeding 57,000 metric tons. Satellite data currently shows between 23 and 25 million metric tons of sargazo floating in the central Atlantic.