Quintana Roo, Mexico — The massive influx of sargassum seaweed is once again affecting the coasts of Quintana Roo, driving tourists away from beachfront restaurants, particularly in Playa del Carmen, due to excessive accumulation over the weekend, according to reports from the Sargassum Monitoring Network and local business sectors.
Excessive Presence in Key Tourist Areas
As of recent reports, 20 beaches in the northern part of the state registered excessive sargassum presence. Out of 100 monitored shorelines, 35 showed abundant levels, six were moderate, 34 had low levels, and only five remained completely clear.
The municipalities most impacted in recent days include Tulum, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Benito Juárez, while Lázaro Cárdenas remains unaffected.
Tourists in Cancún have noted the seaweed but claim it does not deter their enjoyment of the beaches. However, personnel from the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat) reported that two beaches, Coral and Chac Mool, have seen the highest influx.
Business owners in Playa del Carmen say they are beginning to suffer economic losses due to the accumulation and decomposition of sargassum, which emits foul odors and repels visitors. “We haven’t quantified the losses yet, but restaurants along the coast—both hotel-owned and independent—have been empty since the weekend,” they stated.
Efforts to Combat the Crisis
In Playa del Carmen, authorities from all levels of government are working to address the excessive seaweed influx. Samantha Álvarez, Municipal Secretary of the Environment, explained that a team of 101 people is currently working daily to clean the beaches.
Cleaning shifts run from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with seven excavators deployed to expedite the removal of the heavy, voluminous seaweed. Since January, 6,590 tons of sargassum have been collected in Playa del Carmen, along with 203 tons of mixed trash that poses additional ecological risks.
On average, 150 to 200 tons of seaweed are removed daily, highlighting the scale of the problem and the need for continuous intervention.
Tourism Impact in Tulum
The sargassum influx compounds an already critical low season for tourism service providers in Tulum. The excessive accumulation along the coastline has discouraged visitors, worsening the economic outlook for local businesses.
Official data shows 866 tons of sargassum have washed ashore from January to April 2025. Alejandro May, a service provider in Punta Piedra, described the situation as one of the worst in recent years.
“We’re operating at less than 30% capacity. This has been one of the slowest seasons, and the sargassum makes it even harder. The few tourists who come see the state of the beach and leave. Some stay briefly but quickly ask to visit cenotes or other areas instead. For us, that’s a loss,” he explained.
Juan Manuel Ávila, known as “El Güero,” offers scooter tours along the coast but has also felt the impact. “Some tourists take photos, sit for a while, but soon ask about cenotes or other alternatives. They post about the sargassum on social media—how it smells bad, how it doesn’t match the photos. That affects all of us,” he said.
Mixed Reactions from Visitors
Despite the challenges, some tourists remain undeterred. Antonio Díaz, a visitor from Campeche, entered the water despite warnings that the seaweed could cause irritation. “They told me it might itch or smell bad, but I don’t feel anything. I came to enjoy myself, and the ocean is the ocean—with or without seaweed,” he remarked.
Clean Beaches Offer Alternatives
Some areas of the Mexican Caribbean remain sargassum-free, including Punta Mosquito, Holbox, Chiquilá, and Isla Contoy. These beaches continue to attract tourists amid peak seaweed season.
The Sargassum Collection Monitoring System (Simsar) reported that collected seaweed increased from 3,059 tons over the weekend to 3,236 tons by Monday, with an additional 16,000 tons removed from Quintana Roo’s beaches.
Outlook for the Coming Weeks
Municipal workers anticipate an increase in sargassum arrivals next week. With constant ocean currents pushing more seaweed ashore, the daily cleanup efforts remain a challenge for both workers and businesses dependent on tourism.
The persistent influx and low visitor numbers suggest a difficult end to the month for local service providers.
Discover more from Riviera Maya News & Events
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.