Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — Playa del Carmen beachgoers arriving with coolers are being asked to leave with their garbage. At least for now. Tighter regulations are being considered for the municipality’s nearly two dozen beaches due to left-behind trash.
PDC City Councilor Fernando Muñoz says they are looking into regulating the city’s 22 public beaches by no longer allowing beachgoers to arrive with solid waste. He says the beach areas, the Blue Flag certified in particular, could see cooler inspections before people will be permitted to hit the sand.
According to Muñoz, city officials are looking to propose a restriction on people arriving with Styrofoam coolers and other solid waste items that are often left abandoned on the sand.
“We’re working to keep the beaches clean and safe for Playa del Carmen families,” he said regarding the possible enforcement of tighter regulations.
For the time being, people arriving with coolers at Playa 88, Punta Esmeralda and Playa Xcalacoco are being reminded to leave with their garbage.
Muñoz added that the beach is not a place for alcohol consumption noting that glass bottles left behind, when broken, pose an injury risk to others. He says they are working in coordination with Zofemat (Federal Maritime Land Zone Directorate) to strengthen the municipality’s beach care.
