Tulum, Q.R. — A Monday afternoon meeting between protestors and Tulum authorities has lead to some agreements. One of those agreements is free access to Playa Mangle located within the Jaguar Park.
That announcement was made by the park’s managing company Mundo Maya the day before the scheduled protest regarding charges to enter the archaeological zone and beach areas.
Tulum Mayor Diego Castañón Trejo said Monday “Citizens of Tulum, I want to share with you that, in coordination with state authorities and CONANP (National Commission of Protected Natural Areas), we were able to guarantee free and open access to Playa Mangle at the southern end, open to pedestrians and open to residents and visitors, both national and international, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“With the participation of the State Secretary of Government, Cristina Torres Gómez, we agreed to continue the work sessions. Next Friday at 6:00 p.m., we will meet again to continue making progress on agreements for the benefit of Tulum.”
The additional progress will include talks on the urgent need to make the necessary changes to ensure that people can access the ruins and beaches, which will help reactivate Tulum’s dying economy.
State Secretary Cristina Torres Gómez emphasized that it will be necessary for everything to be subject to legal and administrative processes in order to achieve real progress.
Torres said during Monday talks, they laid the groundwork to request an agreement between the INAH and CONANP to open a second access area to the ruins. They also discussed sending a letter to Grupo Mundo Maya to schedule a meeting with Jaguar Park authorities who have the jurisdiction to respond to their requests.
Mayor Castañón Trejo confirmed that the southern access, which was part of their Monday agreement, will remain open year-round at no cost.
The meeting set for Friday will address other concerns including a negotiation with the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) to open a second public access point to the coast, one that will be guaranteed independent of the Jaguar Park’s services and fees.
The formal request will be submitted Friday, giving authorities 30 days to respond.
“We are going to meet Friday evening to present the formal requests because we have to make a formal request and, in about 30 days, we should have a response, and depending on that response, we’ll move on to the next step,” Torres said.
