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Playa del Carmen beaches could soon see a huge influx of sargassum seaweed as temperatures soar in the coastal region due to ongoing heatwaves.
Meteorological experts say that higher temperatures could be linked to greater sargassum levels, potentially worsening the Mexican Caribbean’s seaweed situation.
Home to dozens of quaint white-sand beaches, Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular hotspots for beachgoers.
And with sargassum levels set to skyrocket, officials are implementing a host of measures to tackle the issue and to maintain Playa del Carmen beaches in pristine condition.
With that in mind, here’s a look at how higher temperatures might cause more sargassum to wash up on Playa del Carmen beaches this summer.
Meteorologists Warn Of More Sargassum On Playa del Carmen Beaches As Heatwaves Intensify
Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean are experiencing unusually high temperatures this spring. With just several weeks until the start of the busy summer season, numerous parts of the region are already seeing temperatures of up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
In Playa del Carmen, one of the busiest resort towns near Cancun, higher temperatures are a cause for concern for local officials, who fear the extreme summer heat could lead to more sargassum on local beaches.
For now, the city’s sargassum situation remains favorable, with only moderate levels of seaweed affecting its main beaches. Cleaners have been able to mitigate any arriving sargassum patches, and new high-tech barriers are also proving effective in dealing with the issue.
However, with temperatures set to rise further this summer, experts say more sargassum could soon begin washing up on Playa del Carmen beaches.
According to Lourdes Várguez Ocampo, the head of the city’s environmental department, Playa del Carmen is gearing up for an intense year with regard to sargassum seaweed.
Despite enjoying relatively good conditions over the past several weeks, the situation is slowly changing as more sargassum begins appearing in the city.
The most affected beaches currently are those in the northern portion of the municipality, including the extremely popular beach of Playa Esmeralda.
As a result, workers from the Zofemat – a regional agency responsible for keeping beaches clean – have intensified efforts to remove sargassum from Playa del Carmen’s extensive shoreline.
Playa del Carmen is typically one of the most affected hotspots when it comes to sargassum. The city is exposed to strong ocean currents from the Southeast of the Caribbean, which carry tons of sargassum seaweed, eventually washing up across Playa del Carmen.
Despite concerns over the deteriorating sargassum situation, officials are optimistic that new seaweed technology will help keep city beaches clean for travelers to enjoy.
Playa del Carmen employs a contingent of several dozen beach cleaners and city officials work closely with the Mexican Navy to detect and limit the arrival of tons of sargassum seaweed.
Travelers can track the current sargassum situation on the Quintana Roo Sargassum Monitoring Network Facebook page, which publishes color-coded updates on seaweed levels across the region.
While sargassum can put a dent in any sun-loving traveler’s vacation plans, there is an abundance of seaweed-free activities visitors can enjoy.
Playa del Carmen’s top-rated Xcaret Park is an excellent alternative to seaweed-covered beaches, offering quaint lagoons, underground rivers, and cultural performances, among other attractions.
Meanwheile, the nearby Puerto Morelos is home to dozens of stunning cenotes, or freshwater sinkholes, that offer the perfect sargassum-free retreat.
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