Tulum, Q.R. — Authorities in Tulum are verifying the public beach access points in the municipality’s coastal area. The physical verifications were made after reports that some entrances exist but are not enabled. Authorities are particularly interested in the coastal areas of Akumal and Punta Piedra where people have reported problems accessing the beach.
“We’re monitoring the condition of the entrances. They exist. They’ve always existed, these public access points, however, there are many that aren’t accessible. Most are in Akumal where they have access problems because many have become like subdivisions so they have a guardhouse so to speak,” David Buchanan García, head of the Federal Maritime Land Zone (Zofemat) in Tulum explained.
Buchanan García says the issues such as the presence of checkpoints and guardhouses, particularly in Akumal, are also being addressed since they should not impede free movement.
“What we saw during this tour is the issue of the barriers and toll booths, especially in Akumal, which should serve as security not a barrier to entry,” he said.
He said that in the Punta Piedra area within the hotel corridor there are three public access points with the possibility of opening more.
Buchanan García says the physical inspections are being carried out jointly with the Land Registry and Inspection departments to verify “exactly what the situation is at each of the points in order to reactivate those entrances”.
He says while inspectors are out, they are also exploring the possibility of opening new beach access points, especially in the Tulum hotel zone “because what we’re looking for is to have more points so people can go to the beach.”
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself because it’s a long process, one that doesn’t depend entirely on us as a city council, but we’re working to find other points that could pave the way such as public access or a right-of-way,” he said.
There are currently 25 registered public beach access points, he says, most of which are open, although not all are suitable for recreational use.
“Some of the access points we have, especially in south Akumal are rocky, so not all of them are suitable for going to the beach as such. The fact that there is access doesn’t mean they are appropriate for swimmers,” he noted.
