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Winter season is well and truly underway in the Mexican Caribbean, and Cancun is set to see out the year with record-breaking visitor numbers.
As millions of people arrive at Cancun airport looking to escape the cold winter temperatures back home and experience their own slice of paradise, officials are urging them to be cautious.
This is due to the reported five people who have lost their lives drowning on the beaches of Quintana Roo at the start of the winter period these past two weeks.
Though extra lifeguard support has been deployed on beaches as part of a more stringent security plan for tourists this year, these tragedies have been cause for concern for both officials and tourists.
Officials Urging Caution
Now of course we all want to have an incredible time when we are on vacation, and the excitement can sometimes be all too much, but it is recommended when traveling to still use common sense and abide by rules and recommendations when offered.
That is why it is important when visiting beach locations you follow instructions given by lifeguards, as well as stick to scheduled opening and closing times, to avoid any further tragedies.
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Juli César Gómez Torres, Secretary of Citizen Security of Quintan Roo stated:
“The beaches, although they are very beautiful, the sea(…) sometimes with the waves and the wind(…) does not have the best conditions to enter, much less for the sea. However, there are people who venture and, well, these situations happen.”
Warning Flag System On Beaches
Popular beaches in Quintana Roo follow a warning flag system that is easy to follow and could very well save your life.
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If you are unsure about the warnings and conditions of the beach/ocean on any given day, the best thing to do is check in with a lifeguard on duty who will be able to give you the correct information.
These flags can also change throughout the day at any given time, so remain vigilant and make sure to adhere to what they tell you.
Green flags signify that the water is safest to swim in, though it is still recommended that you practice safety at all times, regardless of the water conditions.
If you see a yellow flag, however, you should be exercising high-level caution as the water conditions could be dangerous for less experienced swimmers and could pose a certain level of threat for all.
Red flags signify where the water is off-limits, meaning it is too dangerous to swim in; this could be due to excessively high waves or riptides caused in the water.
If you arrive at a beach with a black flag, that is a signal that the location is closed altogether and does not welcome swimmers and visitors for the duration that it is there.
We understand that having to be so alert on beaches doesn’t exactly coincide with the relaxing, peaceful atmosphere that so many tourists want, but being aware could genuinely save your, or someone else’s life.
Blue Flag Beaches In Cancun
Some more positive news, however, is that if you find yourself at a beach with any of the above-mentioned warning flags and don’t wish to stay there, Cancun has a plethora of other beautiful beaches to choose from.
In fact, seven of the beaches in Cancun have received the coveted Blue Flag award, given only to locations that adhere to strict environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility standards.
That means if you see the famous symbol on your chosen beach, you can rest assured you are in one of the best locations for that paradise experience.
With most of these beaches in close proximity to the hotel zone, you will easily be able to visit all seven of them during your time in Cancun, and we highly recommend that you do!
The seven beaches are :
- Playa Ballenas
- Playa del Niño
- Playa Las Perlas
- Playa Delfinens
- Playa Marlín
- Playa Coral
- Playa Chic Mool
All of these stunning locations are sure to offer white sugary sands, crystal blue waters and endless opportunities to bask in the golden Mexican sun.
What’s more, is that all of these locations are sure to have lifeguard protection, meaning you are in safe hands.
With that being said, always exercise caution on any beach, and practice water safety, so that further tragedies can be avoided this winter season and beyond.
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KWil
Friday 29th of December 2023
If only the lifeguards would change the flags. On beautiful days the flags are red or black....people do not believe the flags because of this. Flags should be used properly for the conditions, this way people would trust the flag system.