Beach Restoration Plan Initiated for Playa del Carmen’s Xcalacoco and Playacar

A comprehensive beach restoration plan is in the works for Playa del Carmen, specifically targeting the areas from Playacar to Xcalacoco, which are suffering from severe erosion. This initiative was announced by Moce Yax Cuxtal, a local environmental group, following a meeting with local authorities.

Guadalupe de la Rosa Villalba, the founder and Coordinator of Programs and Activities for Moce Yax Cuxtal, stated that this is the initial step towards the complete restoration of the beach. The plan involves the input of specialists who will guide the municipal authorities. She expressed optimism about the project, noting that it was a significant step forward for the community.

The first collaborative meeting between the local government, environmentalists, and tourism service providers took place last week. The group assessed the condition of the coastal section in front of the city's central square and the urban area of Playa del Carmen, a stretch approximately 10 kilometers long. This was the first meeting of its kind in at least two municipal administrations.

The meeting included representatives from Moce Yax Cuxtal, the Caribbean Sea Tourist Cooperative, and local business owners with coastal interests. The meeting was prompted by the "Without the Beach, there is no Playa del Carmen" program, initiated by Moce Yax Cuxtal last November.

De la Rosa Villalba stressed the need for a detailed diagnosis of the situation, including recovery proposals tailored to the specific conditions and characteristics of each area. She noted that a one-size-fits-all approach would not work due to the varying conditions of the different areas.

The last comprehensive beach restoration in Playa del Carmen took place in 2009. Since then, only individual restoration efforts have been carried out, which Moce Yax Cuxtal claims have caused further damage to the coastal ecosystem.

Municipal president Estefanía Mercado emphasized the importance of sustainable development in the restoration efforts. She stated that the municipality is committed to working with all sectors to ensure the successful rescue of the beaches.