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These Mexican Caribbean Hotspots Have The Cleanest Beaches According To New Study

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Stunning white-sand beaches are a hallmark of Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean’s geography and are a draw for millions of travelers each year.

A new study published this week by environmental officials reveals which locations around the sunny region have the cleanest beaches for swimming this year.

a pristine white sand beach in the mexican caribbean

Despite record-breaking travel numbers, all of Quintana Roo’s main beaches are considered safe for travelers this year, although some locations are doing particularly well in terms of keeping their white-sand beaches in pristine condition.

@maldivosaur Best beaches in Cancun, Mexico 🇲🇽 part 1 #cancun #mexico #travel #explore #holiday #beach #beachvibes #holiday #vacation #adventure #bestbeaches ♬ Paradise – Bazzi

With that in mind, here’s a look at which Mexican Caribbean destinations have the cleanest beaches this winter.

Fresh Environmental Study Confirms Mexican Caribbean’s Excellent Beach Conditions 

Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean are famous for a lot of things; from their spectacular Mayan history to world-class resorts, the sun-drenched region is a leading hotspot for international travel.

But above all, the touristy region is famous for its postcard-like white-sand beaches, which provide the perfect conditions for travelers to unwind or go for a swim. 

@mybeepy Best time to go to Cancun without seaweed (sargazo or sargassum) and the top 3 beaches to visit #cancun #travel #mexicotravel ♬ sonido original – Beepy

And in 2023, white-sand beaches in the Mexican Caribbean state of Quintana Roo are exceptionally clean, meaning this winter is an excellent time to head out and enjoy some of the world’s best shores.

That’s according to a new report published by the Cofepirs, (the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks), which reveals that all of the region’s main beaches comply with strict environmental criteria. 

@ciaragibsonn Paradise 🥥🏝️#cancun #cancunmexico #liveaquacancun @Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancún ♬ sonido original – YAMBIIR

The new study, which looked at contaminants across 36 locations in the region, shows that all of Quintana Roo’s principal beaches are safe for swimmers and free of potentially dangerous bacteria. Experts analyzed a total of 2000 water samples as part of the comprehensive study.

Authorities found that none of the 36 beaches included in the study exceeded the internationally established limit of 200 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water. As a result, travelers can look forward to enjoying beaches across the Mexican Caribbean without fear of infections or other ailments.

@proposalsinwonderland What a dreamy Cancun beach proposal! 🤩🏝 @kbw4ord #weddedwonderland #proposalsinwonderland #cancun #proposal #engagement #engaged #engagementring ♬ original sound – Proposals in Wonderland

While all of Quintana Roo’s beaches included in the study were found to be within safe parameters, some destinations were classified as having cleaner beaches than others.

According to the environmental agency that conducted the study, the cleanest beaches are found in Cancun and Puerto Juárez. A total of 12 beaches around the sun-drenched region had enterococci levels of between 10 to 11 for every 100 mililteres, with the following beaches having the least contaminants:

  • Playa Deflines
  • Playa Marlín
  • Playa Tortugas
  • Playa del Nino 

This year, the Mexican Caribbean has redoubled efforts to improve the cleanliness of its spectacular beaches. In the summer, authorities announced a new measure to transform Playa Delfines, one of Cancun’s most spectacular beaches in the heart of the resort zone, into a protected natural area.

@nicolestraveldiary Sunsets on the beach are just different 🥹 if you look closely, you can begin to see the island of Isla Mujeres on the other side ✨ #sunset #beach #mexico #cancun #cancunmexico #krystalcancun #krystalcancunresort #cancunresort #cancunresorts #cancunrestaurant #beachview #besthotels #bestcancunresorts #mexico🇲🇽 #mexicotiktok #traveltiktok #beachsunset #relaxing #relaxingvideos #travelgoals #2023travel #2023travelplans #2023vacation #vacationmode #travelitinerary #mexicotravelvlog #travelvlogger ♬ original sound – 🙂

The decision is intended to protect the area’s diverse flora and fauna, which represent up to 10% of all plant and animal species in the Mexican Caribbean. 

Meanwhile, Playa del Carmen is resorting to high-tech solutions to restore beaches that have suffered from erosion due to rising water levels and strong waves. Environmental experts are grinding sargassum seaweed into a fine powder to create a sand-like material used to restore Playa Recodo, a once popular beach for travelers and locals alike.

@oso_feisty5 We love a seaweed free beach! Theres also a tractor that drives by every 10-20 minutes and scoops up the small ones that wash ashore. #grandpalladiumcostamujeres #costamujeresmexico #allinclusiveresort #cancunresort #resortreview #hotelreview #traveltips #cancunbeach #noseaweed #beachreview #solotravel #traveltok #traveltiktok #submarine #oceangate ♬ Ameyatchi – Mathey

Although new measures are underway to improve the state of beaches across the Mexican Caribbean, travelers are being reminded to follow basic guidelines such as recycling and avoiding smoking on public beaches.

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