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Officials in the popular beach destination Playa del Carmen have decided to significantly improve beach safety by deploying more lifeguards and extending the service’s operating hours during the peak of the summer travel season.
While drownings are rare, close calls are a common occurrence in places like Playa del Carmen, where strong currents and waves can catch swimmers off guard.
Officials across the Mexican Caribbean are launching special safety operations during summer in an effort to protect travelers from natural disasters, crime, and other risks.
Here’s the latest on Playa del Carmen’s recent decision to increase beach safety.
Playa del Carmen Officials Concerned Over Swimmer Safety
Playa del Carmen is one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in the Mexican Caribbean, alongside other hotspots like Cancun and Tulum. Aside from its vibrant cultural scene, the coastal destination is famous for its white-sand beaches, which run parallel to the city’s bustling downtown district.
Being one of the most visited coastal destinations in the region, officials have always prioritized the safety of visitors and beachgoers. This is all the more so during the busy summer months when Playa del Carmen beaches fill up with tourists from all corners of the world.
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This summer, authorities have decided to extend the operating hours of Playa del Carmen’s lifeguard service until 6:00 p.m.
The move is intended to decrease the risk of drownings and other dangerous incidents, which often occur when inebriated travelers venture into the sea.
The new beach safety measures were announced this week by Jorge Vázquez Oropeza, the head of the Playa del Carmen’s Civil Protection Agency, who also revealed a host of other improvements to public security for the summer.
The goal, the agency says, is to protect hundreds and thousands of travelers in one of the most popular beach destinations in the Mexican Caribbean.
According to civil protection sources, the enhanced summer security campaign will see units from the Secretary for National Defence, the Navy, as well as voluntary groups. In total, some 50 lifeguards will watch over Playa del Carmen’s main beaches this summer, although travelers heading to more remote shores will have to swim at their own risk.
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Meanwhile, Playa del Carmen officials are also deploying four quad bikes, two ambulances, and a firefighting unit, which are always on call should an accident occur over the busy summer months.
And while officials are ramping up beach safety, travelers are still being asked to take precautions on their next swimming expedition.
Visitors should be aware of the city’s color-coded flag warning system, which indicates the safety of swimming at any given time.
While a green flag indicates optimal swimming conditions, a yellow one means travelers should exercise precaution due to stronger winds or currents.
Meanwhile, red and black flags signal dangerous conditions, during which swimming should be avoided.
Playa del Carmen Is One Of The Hottest Destinations This Summer
Playa Del Carmen is a beach town located around an hour south of Cancun. The city boasts several Blue Flag-certified beaches, making this tropical hotspot an ideal choice for sun-seeking travelers.
With occupancy rates of up to 85% – and some resorts reporting only a few rooms left – travelers are once again flocking to this perennially popular destination.
Travelers love the city’s mix of culture, with the bustling Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) running parallel to the city’s main beaches, as well as its array of white-sand beaches.
And this year, visitors can enjoy more swimming sites than ever thanks to the opening of a new stunning cenote close to the city center.
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