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Where Tourists Are Getting Their Swim Fix As Playa Del Carmen Beaches Continue To Erode

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With numerous beaches in Playa del Carmen shrinking due to erosion, bookings for hotels & resorts with rooftop pools are surging, according to new reports from Carolina Ortiz, the public relations director of a hotel in the tourist zone.

a view of a popular rooftop bar in playa del carmen

A once extremely popular beach, Playa Mamitas in downtown Playacar, has suffered from the effects of extreme erosion due to the recent spell of bad weather, forcing travelers to opt for other alternatives.

With its excellent array of boutique properties and larger resorts, Playa del Carmen certainly has no shortage of amazing accommodations where travelers can swim and enjoy the Caribbean heat. 

a playa del carmen beach during a sunny day

With that in mind, here’s how Playa del Carmen travelers are getting their swim fix despite beach erosion.

Rooftop Pool Properties Skyrocket In Popularity As Alternative To Beaches 

Playa del Carmen is one of the top beach destinations in the Mexican Caribbean, offering both white-sand shores and quaint city vibes. 

But with inclement weather hitting the city in past weeks, a number of beaches have reported significant levels of erosion.

In some cases, such as that of Playa Mamitas, wind, rain, and powerful waves have effectively shut down access to the shoreline, forcing travelers to cancel beach plans or even hotel bookings. 

a large patch of sargassum on a playa del carmen beach

Fortunately though, Playa del Carmen hotels have a trick up their sleeve to attract travelers seeking a refreshing swim under the Caribbean sun: rooftop pools. 

That’s according to travel experts in the sun-soaked city, such as Carolina Ortiz, the head of a local hotel, who says that bookings for such properties have skyrocketed over the past several weeks. 

In a media interview, Ms Ortiz added that American travelers have been especially keen to benefit from the city’s rooftop pools, noting the nearly 90% occupancy rate of the property she represents. 

a view from the Be Playa hotel rooftop pool
Image: Be Playa

In addition to allowing travelers to skip eroded beaches – including Playa Mamitas – rooftop properties boast clean pools, a stark contrast to the city’s sargassum-filled coastline. 

Although smaller boutique hotels are especially popular right now for their stunning rooftop pools, a number of larger resorts, including the Wyndham Altar Playa del Carmen, boast similar amenities, which are attracting a growing number of guests. 

For travelers seeking more intimate stays, properties like La Pasión Hotel Boutique – with its stylishly equipped 34 suites – offer the perfect getaway amid eroding beaches. 

a small beach in playa del carmen

Other popular choices include the 4-star Be Playa hotel, boasting not only a relaxing rooftop pool but also gorgeous views right in the heart of the city. 

Another advantage of Playa del Carmen’s rooftop pools is that many of them are open to outside guests, meaning that no pre-bookings are required. 

Visitors can also look forward to poolside bars & restaurants, live music, and even other services like massages or access to exclusive spas and other amenities. 

Penthouse apartment Tulum

With sargassum levels set to rise & more beach erosion likely to occur, travelers should come prepared with a Plan B in case their favorite beach doesn’t quite match their expectations. 

Fortunately, though, Playa del Carmen is a large city boasting dozens of beaches. From central shores to more remote locations, this coastal destination is widely considered one of the best choices for beach lovers.

aerial shot of beautiful beach in Playa del Carmen

Although one of the city’s most beloved beaches – Playa Mamitas – is largely off-limits for the time being, other beaches like Playa Esmeralda are in good condition as city officials ramp up efforts to mitigate the arriving sargassum invasion.

Travelers can monitor the sargassum situation on the Quintana Roo Sargassum Monitoring Network Facebook page, which posts regular updates on the city’s seaweed levels.

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Rex

Friday 28th of June 2024

I'm confused with this article...the beaches are erroding and we should continue coming because there are lots of roof top pools. Sounds like Playa del Carmen is about to slide into the sea with all the erosion going on. Looks like there are still beaches to enjoy but the article seems to hint this is a major problem. In years past we have been to Playa after a big storm and there is erosion but we still enjoyed the beach and the water.