The Azulik Hotel in Tulum is facing backlash on social media for allegedly monopolizing a public beach with its furniture, leaving no room for beachgoers to enjoy their day. Despite the hotel having a designated area, it appears to be disregarding the law, which states that the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone is a 20-meter wide strip of mainland that is accessible and adjacent to the beach.
According to a video circulating online, the Azulik Hotel has placed posts with chains approximately a meter and a half from the sea, effectively privatizing a public beach in Tulum. Social media users are condemning the hotel for leaving no space for bathers.
The law is explicit about such violations. According to the Regulations for the Use and Exploitation of the Territorial Sea, Navigable Channels, Beaches, Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone and Lands Won from the Sea, Article 5 states: "Beaches, the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone and lands gained from the sea, or any other deposit that is formed with sea waters, are property of public domain of the Federation, inalienable and imprescriptible and as long as their legal situation does not change, they are not subject to reversionary or definitive or provisional possession action". This implies that these areas do not belong to private entities such as hotels, restaurants, or beach clubs.
Furthermore, Article 7 of the same regulation prohibits: "The construction and installation of elements and works that prevent free transit through these goods, with the exception of those approved by the Secretariat adhering to urban, architectural development standards and those provided for in the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection".
In essence, the Azulik Hotel appears to be in clear violation of the law. If found guilty, the hotel could potentially lose its concession.
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