Tourists Report 500-Peso Fee to Access Cozumel Beach

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — Two tourists from Playa del Carmen have accused a beachfront business at Palancar Beach of demanding a minimum 500-peso purchase before allowing them onto the sand.

The visitors said employees stopped them as they tried to reach the shore, then a manager told them they would have to spend at least 500 pesos to stay, arguing that the area was private property.

The tourists rejected the requirement, saying access to the sea should not depend on paying a set amount. They said they did not intend to use the establishment’s services and only wanted to reach the coastline to enjoy the beach.

They also asked about public access points in the area, noting that paying for food, drinks, or beach furniture is different from being charged just to set foot on the sand.

The case has renewed questions about the line between waterfront commercial activity and public access to beaches, particularly in Cozumel, where hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs line the coast.

The complainants asked authorities to review the establishment’s operating conditions and determine whether its access restrictions violate the rules for the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (ZOFEMAT). They also called for authorities to verify public access points in the area.

So far, the allegation rests solely on the tourists’ complaint, and no official statement has confirmed any irregularity. The visitors insisted that charging for tourist services must be kept separate from conditioning beach access on a payment, and they requested an investigation to determine whether any violation occurred.