Tulum Beaches Now Free for All Visitors

TULUM, Mexico — Following protests against the Grupo Aeroportuario, Ferroviario, de Servicios Auxiliares y Conexos Olmeca – Maya – Mexica (Gafsacomm), which manages the Jaguar National Park, authorities have confirmed that there will be free access to the beaches for both residents and tourists in Tulum.

Tulum Mayor Diego Castañón stated that an agreement was reached with the state-owned company, the creator of the Mundo Maya management brand, following a public complaint he made one week prior.

"After the press conference we held on Monday, the Mundo Maya Group, which is Gafsacomm, sent a statement saying it reaffirms its commitment to Tulum… we are happy and grateful," said Castañón Trejo.

Accompanied by the Secretary of Government, Cristina Torres, and the regional director for the Yucatan Peninsula and Caribbean Sea of the federal National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp), Juan Carlos Romero Hill, it was confirmed that access to the beaches will be, for the time being, through the southern zone of the Jaguar National Park.

However, negotiations are underway to open a second access point through the archaeological zone. A meeting has been scheduled for this coming Friday to make the formal request, which will then take 30 days for analysis.

This development occurs after a protest that took place last Sunday, which lasted practically the entire day on Federal Highway 307, near one of the entrances to the Jaguar National Park.

On this topic, the mayor was emphatic: he is in favor of protest, but not of the negative impact on third parties, after the blockade caused several tourists to miss flights and other activities scheduled at the destination.

"The only thing I do ask is that I am not in favor of blocking the Federal highway, I am not in favor. If they want to talk, if they want to demonstrate, we must also look out for the destination's image… there are ways to dialogue. Dialogue is good, but through communication. We understand the citizens, but blocking the highways is not a good way," stated the municipal president.