Tulum, Q.R. — A demand for free beach access in the Tulum hotel zone left the north exit partially blocked Sunday. The group of Tulum residents arrived with signs and banners partially blocking the federal highway toward Playa del Carmen during their afternoon protest.
The group of locals demand free access to the beaches in the city’s hotel zone with signs reading “Denying access to the sea is a crime against tourism development,” “Free access to the beaches,” and “No to illegal tolls at Jaguar Park,” among others.
Protesters blocked motorists heading north from passing, quickly causing traffic to become congested by drivers trying to leave Tulum.
This is the third demonstration held by the group demanding free access to the beaches and the elimination of the entrance fee to El Jaguar Park, where they claim they are harassed by members of the National Guard. The small group focused on what they say is increasing difficulty accessing beach coastal areas, particularly within the Jaguar National Park.
Currently, free entry to the national park is limited to permanent/full time residents with municipal government-issued identification. Some of the Sunday protestors were temporary out-of-town workers who also want free park access but do not want to change their address to get it.
Other protestors were upset that there are only two public beach access points in the entire Tulum hotel zone. One at Punta Piedra and another further north. They said other entrances have been blocked or monitored by private security and, according to the protesting group, are told the beach is “private” and denied passage when they arrive.
The Sunday protesters demanded respect for Article 127 of the General Law of National Property which establishes that Mexican beaches are for common use and cannot be privatized.
The group protested for around two hours before moving off. In February, Tulum Mayor Diego Castañón Trejo said his City Council was working with hotels in the coastal area for more public beach access. He reported that talks were in the works to open one or two public access points in the hotel coastal zone.
