Tulum, Q.R. — UPDATED: An agreement has been reached with the federal government to allow free beach access to the Jaguar Park of Tulum. Municipal Mayor Diego Castañón Trejo said the agreement was reached December 14 and effective immediately.
According to Castañón Trejo, as of December 14, 2024, local residents with an INE voter card can access the beaches of the Jaguar Park free of charge.
“Citizens of Tulum! From now on, you have free access to the beautiful beaches of Jaguar Park by presenting your INE. Let’s enjoy the natural beauty of our municipality at no cost,” he said on his social media Saturday.
The agreement was reached after a public protest Saturday where locals voiced their anger at being charged to enter a municipal beach area. Protestors vowed to return again Sunday to voice their frustration at being shut out of the newly developed area unless they pay.
A second march was scheduled for December 15 to demand free access to what is supposed to be a public beach. One of the Saturday protestors, Vicente “O”, said he believes the beaches are being privatized under the pretext of conservation. He said the group Saturday were demanding the elimination of access fees and the reestablishment of free entry to the federal beaches.
“The beaches belong to all Mexicans by decree, but now they are charging us and putting up filters as if they were private property ,” he said. He says the restrictions not only affect local residents, but also make access difficult for tourists.
“The worst thing is that local people are no longer coming and the most affected are those from nearby communities who have the right to enjoy what is theirs without having to pay for it,” he said.
Vicente “O” claims the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) and the park’s management company are controlling beach access under pretenses, something that is affecting everyone.
According to Conanp, the fee to have full access to the park is 365.00 pesos for national visitors and is broken down:
Base entrance (CONANP): $80 MXN
Additional fee (Jaguar Park): $195 MXN
Access to the archaeological zone: $90 MXN
Total: $365 MXN
The recent changes to the area were made after nearly 3,000 hectares was deemed a Natural Protected Area by the federal government in 2023. The Government of Mexico labeled the new Jaguar Park as “an ecological-recreational park, a space that promotes cultural, creative and natural tourism.”
“The Jaguar Park emerged as a project aimed at the preservation and conservation of the Jaguar, which in turn, seeks to regulate, manage, organize and integrate existing activities in the park, promoting the care of nature, through cultural, recreational and tourist attractions with low environmental impact, inclusive and accessible to all visitors,” the government stated.
The Parque del Jaguar is an area of approximately 2,913 hectares and is made up of the Tulum National Park (Parque Nacional Tulum) and the Jaguar Flora and Fauna Protection Area (Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Jaguar) located in the municipality of Tulum.
UPDATE – December 26, 2024: Governor Mara Lezama has confirmed that all Tulum residents have free access to the Jaguar Park, as well as all nationals and foreigners who prove their residency.
