Tulum’s mayor, Diego Castañón, brought one of the most recurring demands of the local population and visitors to the Chamber of Deputies: free access to beaches and protected natural areas. The proposal was supported by legislators from the ruling Morena party’s parliamentary group in the current federal legislature and presented as a reform initiative.
The initiative’s objective is to guarantee everyone the right to access public beaches and federal zones without fees or restrictions. The document also establishes that concessions granted in the maritime-terrestrial zone must include public access, and that failure to comply with this provision will be grounds for revocation.
In the case of protected natural areas, the goal is to ensure that at least one day a week—preferably Sundays or holidays—access will be free, reinforcing the social and cultural character of these spaces.
The push for this reform responds to the situation facing the municipality of Tulum following the creation of Jaguar Park, where high fees are currently charged for entry to beaches and the archaeological site. The measure has generated social discontent and has impacted artisans, tour guides, and service providers financially, as the number of visitors has decreased.
“Tulum’s appeal has always been its archaeological heritage facing the sea and its public beaches; imposing fees directly affects the population and tourism,” Castañón stated in justifying the reform.
The proposal seeks to reverse the decline in cultural and ecological tourism, protect the economy of local families, and ensure that indigenous communities are not marginalized from enjoying these spaces. If approved, it would reposition Tulum as an accessible destination for nationals and foreigners, strengthening its cultural and recreational vocation.
During his visit to Mexico City, Castañón also met with the Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, with whom he discussed strategies to attract investment that will strengthen both large hotels and tourism businesses, as well as small local businesses and entrepreneurs.
The mayor stated that, together with Governor Mara Lezama, they are committed to consolidating Tulum’s tourism and gastronomic offerings, with the goal of ensuring that development opportunities reach all of the municipality’s communities.
President Claudia Sheinbaum, during a visit to Quintana Roo, recently announced that her administration is preparing a decree to provide free Sunday admission to Tulum’s archaeological sites, similar to the model already implemented by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) at other sites in the country.
Source: reportur
