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All Mexican Caribbean Beaches Declared Safe For Swimming By Government Experts

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A new study reveals that the Mexican Caribbean state of Quintana Roo is home to some of the cleanest beaches in all of Mexico, where travelers can enjoy over 700 miles of coastline.

From Cancun’s packed resort beaches to remote shores, there is an endless variety to choose from.

A white-sand beach in the Mexican Caribbean

Authorities have just wrapped up a massive study on the safety and cleanliness of Quintana Roo’s main beaches ahead of the Easter holidays.

With over a million travelers expected to flock to the sun-soaked region, officials want to ensure optimal conditions for visitors.

Isla Mujeres and Costs Mujeres Cancun, Mexico

According to the analysis, which was conducted by the Federal Commission Against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris), all of the main public beaches in Quintana Roo meet strict health and hygiene requirements, meaning they don’t contain harmful waterborne bacteria or viruses.

Overall, nearly 300 beaches in Mexico were analyzed as part of the massive study, and only 3 were found to be unsuitable for swimmers.

Fortunately, none of them are in Quintana Roo, which is home to some of the world’s most popular beachside resort destinations.

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Perfect white-sand beach in the Mexican Caribbean with blue water

The study also unveiled that Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and the Riviera Maya have the cleanest beaches in the Mexican Caribbean.

Only Tulum’s Playa Zamas was found to have above-average rates of fecal contamination, but not nearly enough to be declared unsafe. 

Officials have been hard at work in readying the region’s main beaches for Easter, one of the busiest periods for travel in the Mexican Caribbean.

Sargassum, swimming safety, and hygiene are some of the main issues authorities have addressed in preparation for the record-breaking season.

A small boat floating on the water in the Mexican Caribbean

Most visitors will spend a considerable portion of their holidays basking under the tropical heat.

And many will do so in one of Cancun’s many splendid beaches; the coastal city is home to more Blue-Flag-certified beaches than any other location in Mexico.

In addition to Cancun, many travelers will be flocking to nearby Isla Mujeres, which has seen its popularity skyrocket thanks to its sargassum-free shores and excellent safety. Costa Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum are also expected to be among the most popular beach destinations this spring. 

@selina 🌎💃🏼🎶 A dream summer getaway in 📍#Tulum☀️ or call it home for a permanent workation 🙌💚🤍❤️🏝 #travel #travelbucketlist #beach #selinalife ♬ Sunny Day – Ted Fresco

Several Mexican Caribbean beaches have also received Platinum Certification from Mexican environmental authorities.

The accolade is only given to a handful of beaches that have made strides to improve cleanliness and safety. 

Aerial view of Cancun's resort zone with travelers on beach

Currently, several of Tulum’s main beaches, including Pescadores, Maya, and Santa Fe, are platinum-certified, ensuring optimal conditions regarding safety and hygiene. Tulum officials are currently ramping up efforts to certify the city’s remaining beaches.

Despite the excellent news that Quintana Roo’s beaches meet health and hygiene requirements this spring, the region is preparing for a record amount of sargassum seaweed, which is prompting many travelers to seek alternatives to seaweed-filled beaches.

As a result, a growing number of travelers are opting for cenotes – or freshwater sinkholes, where sargassum seaweed isn’t an issue. Compared to beaches, many cenotes have been found to harbor potentially harmful bacteria, including e.coli. 

Gran Cenote in the Riviera Maya Near Cancun, Mexico

In Cancun, officials have recently warned that up to 15% of the city’s cenotes contain excessive levels of contamination.

That said, travelers that wish to enjoy the magical experience of swimming in a cenote can book guided tours, eliminating the need for visitors to do their own research.

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Walter Linder

Sunday 2nd of April 2023

Went for 30 minutes to the beach in Tulum today. At least I saw with my own eyes, how messy the situation is, already for the last 5 months. The situation at the beach and the high prices in Tulum, is going to have a long term negative affect, at the tourist industry