Last Updated
Further Steps Towards Normality For Popular Resort Town
Seven popular Cancun beaches will have all of their COVID restrictions removed and their operating hours extended beginning in April. The move marks another exciting step towards pre-pandemic tourism for the region.
The beaches in Cancun and beyond have been subject to restrictions for the last two years to help combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The only remaining restriction in place is the recommendation to maintain a healthy distance.
The beaches included in the announcement are:
- Langosta.
- Caracol.
- Punta Cancún.
- Gaviota Azul.
- Chac Mool.
- Marlín
- Delfines
The main benefit of the change is the return to normal opening hours for the beaches. They will now be open to visitors from 9 Am to 6 PM every day. Restrictions over the course of the pandemic saw the beaches closed for a period of time and then reduced hours were enforced upon reopening. But that is all set to change in April.
The change comes into play as many as 3 million visitors descended upon the town. The Easter period is extremely busy for the region, and 200 thousand tourists are expected during the week of the holiday itself. Added hours will prove significant for both tourist enjoyment and logistical purposes.
With more hours open, the crowds can be spread further across the day. This in turn can lessen the huge crowds and allow a little more room for social distancing. The city is walking a tight rope, balancing economic progression and responsible health practices to ensure there is no regression in regards to COVID.
The state returned to the Green zone on Mexico’s epidemiological traffic light system over a month ago. It spent several weeks in the yellow and orange zones after a tremendously successful winter period left skyrocketing infection rates in its wake.
The state will be looking to ensure the situation is not repeated this time. The likelihood is much lower now, since Omicron has proven to be much less severe in terms of hospitalization. There are suggestions of another variant arising in Europe currently, but it is still unclear how strong the strain could be and whether countries will even revert back to restrictions.
After two years of crippling restrictions and mandates, Mexico and the rest of the world appear to be moving forward with economic recovery. Although many countries still require vaccinations, Mexico does not and hasn’t for the entirety of the pandemic. This decision drew ire from many critics but has allowed Cancun to jump to the top of the world’s most popular destinations.
If the city is to hold onto its newfound popularity, it will continue to remove any barriers to tourist enjoyment. Masks are now no longer required to be worn in public, historical sites are reopening, bars and restaurants are operating at extended hours, and hotels no longer have any restrictions on operating capacity. All of these developments highlight the government’s focus.
Safety will continue to be at the forefront of the Government’s mind as well. Recent months have seen an uptick in organized crime-related violence. Tourists are rarely involved in the incidents, but the sheer proximity of the violence is likely to affect visitors in the future. There have been over 100 murders in Cancun since the beginning of the year, and although they were all outside of the hotel zone, the statistics are enough to scare off some tourists who are on the fence about visiting.
Visitors who are hoping to visit Cancun in the near future should keep on top of any potential changes to restrictions in Mexico and their own country to avoid any disappointment. With the crowds expected over the coming period, booking for excursions, restaurants, and other activities is strongly advised.
Plan Your Next Cancun Vacation:
Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!
Choose From Thousands of Cancun and Riviera Maya Hotels, Resorts and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
↓ Join the community ↓
The Cancun Sun Community FB group has all the latest travel news, conversations and tourism Q&A’s for the Mexican Caribbean
Subscribe to our Latest Posts
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Cancun Sun’s latest breaking news affecting travelers, straight to your inbox.