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As the sargassum season slowly but surely approaches Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean, now is the best time to take advantage of unusually good swimming conditions in much of the region.
Last week, strong winds and heavy rains contributed to pushing sargassum seaweed away from resort hotspots across the sun-soaked area.
That’s especially true in Playa del Carmen, where travelers have been able to enjoy excellent beach conditions over the past several days.
With the sargassum season increasingly beginning ahead of schedule, here’s a look at why now’s the best time to enjoy beaches in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.
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Travelers Flock To Enjoy Pristine Playa del Carmen Beaches After Cold Front Pushes Sargassum Away
The remainder of this week and early next week are an ideal time to enjoy beaches in Playa del Carmen and along the Riviera Maya.
The region, which recently saw a cold front cause rain and strong wind, is now able to enjoy unusually clean beaches which are in ideal condition for swimming and other aquatic activities.
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That’s especially the case as the sargassum season inches closer, with travelers being told that now is the best time to flock to beaches across Playa del Carmen and nearby destinations.
The recent cold front caused a lot of turmoil for Playa del Carmen’s travel industry, which some beaches having to be closed and numerous ferry routes temporarily halted. But this time, the period of bad weather also led to some positive effects.
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According to local officials, strong winds from the south pushed arriving sargassum patches to the north, essentially providing a natural barrier against the foul-smelling seaweed in Playa del Carmen.
Strong winds also carried more sand to the city’s beaches, creating ideal conditions for locals and travelers to enjoy Playa del Carmen’s idyllic coastline.
Local tour and boat operators had to shut down their services for several days due to dangerous weather conditions. Only on Monday did Playa del Carmen’s port authority allow for vessels to resume operations on a limited basis, with only long-distance services to Cozumel and Puerto Morelos working.
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But with the bad weather making way for warmer temperatures, travelers are once again welcome to enjoy everything Playa del Carmen has to offer. This year, the coastal destination is gearing up for a record-breaking season as its beaches fill with visitors.
Playa del Carmen is currently one of the premier beach destinations in the Mexican Caribbean, offering numerous white-sand beaches for travelers to enjoy.
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Among its most popular beaches is the Blue-Flag-certified Playa Esmeralda, located just north of downtown Playa del Carmen. Known for its lack of large hotels and businesses, it offers a quaint retreat from the hustle and bustle of other segments of the city.
With more travelers flocking to Playa del Carmen beaches this year, officials have decided to increase funds to bolster safety. Among other measures, travelers will soon encounter up to nine new lifeguard lookout towers distributed across the city’s main beaches.
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Meanwhile, Playa del Carmen is launching new efforts to deter sargassum from ruining travelers’ beach experiences. In addition to a new anti-sargassum barrier – which will be deployed as soon as March – more funds are in place to hire cleaners.
The Riviera Maya could see a similar amount of sargassum this year as in 2023, with the seaweed season expected to begin sometime this February.
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