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Cancun is preparing to welcome millions of tourists during this winter and the holiday season, as it’s one of the destination’s busiest times of the year.
American, Canadian, and other international travelers visit for the luxury all-inclusives, the beautiful weather, and the stunning beaches.
Some Cancun beaches are currently closed, though, while others will have extended hours during high season. Here’s what tourists visiting this winter need to know.
Beach Dangers That Have Some Of Cancun’s Beaches Closed
There are several different dangers to watch out for when visiting beaches anywhere, including those in Cancun.
The weather plays a huge role in how safe beach conditions are at any given time because it determines how strong the waves are and how bad the rip currents are.
These are the conditions that have led to some of Cancun’s beaches being closed right now.
The Red Beach Warning Flag
Flags are posted on Cancun’s beaches to alert beachgoers of the current conditions.
A red beach warning flag indicates that there are dangerous conditions and that swimming is prohibited.
When there is a red flag posted, you can still visit the beach for walks and sunbathing, but you can’t swim, as opposed to when a black flag is posted, which means the beach is completely off-limits.
Beaches That Currently Have A Red Flag Posted
Several of the beaches in Cancun currently have red flags posted.
This is why authorities are reminding people of what the red flag means in order to avoid accidents during the busy season ahead.
Cancun beaches that currently have a red flag posted are:
- Playa Delfines
- Playa Marlin
- Playa Chac Mool
- Playa Gaviota Azul
- Playa Pez Volador
Other Beach Warning Flags To Look For
There are several other beach warning flags to look for that will tell you whether or not a specific beach is safe for swimming, too.
As mentioned above, the black flag alerts you that the beach is completely closed.
The other flags include the green flag, which means it’s safe for swimming, the yellow flag, which indicates you should swim with caution, and the white flag, which warns that dangerous marine life may be present.
From Normal To Extended Hours For Some Cancun Beaches This Winter
Even though some of Cancun’s beaches will be closed at times due to unsafe conditions, hours are being extended during the high season on beaches that are safe for swimming.
Typically, the beaches in Cancun are open from 9 am until 5 pm.
During the busy season, that opening time will be extended to 7 pm.
Cancun Beaches That Will Have Extended Hours
Both Playa Delfines and Playa Marlin will have extended hours when there is a green flag present.
Additionally, Playa Langosta, Playa Del Nino, and Playa Tortugas will have extended hours as long as the beaches remain safe for swimming.
All of these beaches are located in the Hotel Zone and are some of Cancun’s most popular beaches.
How Cancun Is Maintaining Beaches And Keeping Tourists Safe On Them This Winter
In addition to extending beach hours and ensuring that beachgoers know which beaches are safe for swimming, Cancun also has an operation active to maintain and enhance safety on the beaches.
A total of 150 workers will be available to keep the beaches clean during this time.
Additionally, there will be thousands of security elements divided between the different Mexican Caribbean destinations to help protect tourists so that visitors can have a safe Cancun vacation this busy season.
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