Undoubtedly the most crowded destination during the Easter holidays are the beaches of Quintana Roo, known for their turquoise waters and fine white sand.
However, in recent weeks the advance of sargassum has become a threat that could cause an unpleasant experience for domestic and foreign tourists.
And it is that this floating macroalga of brown color has already covered large stretches of beach in the Mexican Caribbean, painting the shores of the sea in a reddish shade, in addition to being tangled in the hair and trapped in its nets, so bathers avoid it at all costs.
According to information from the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) of Quintana Roo, there are currently 16 “free” sargassum beaches in the Cancun and Riviera Maya region among a sample of 48 beaches of interest.
The beaches with the least presence of macroalgae are: Holbox, Punta Mosquito, Isla Contoy, Costa Mujeres, Playa Mujeres, Punta Sam, Cancun Playa Las Perlas, Cancun Playa Langosta, Cancun Playa Tortugas, Cancun Playa Caracol.
There are also Passion Island, North Cozumel, San Juan Beach, Cozumel Muelle, El Cielo, Playa Palancar and Punta Sur.
Some of the beaches with moderate sargassum effects are: Playa Mamitas, Playa Fundadores, and Playacar Hotel Zone, in Playa del Carmen; Bahia Principe, in Akumal; Tankah, in Tulum; and Punta Cancun, in Cancun.
On the contrary, where there is abundant presence are Riviera Cancun, Moon Palace, Petempich Bay, Puerto Morelos, Playa Paraiso, Punta Maroma, Playa del Recodo, Playacar, Puerto Aventuras, Tulum Archaeological Ruins, and Tulum Hotel Zone north and south.
In Cozumel, the most affected beaches are Punta Molas, Playa Bonita, Mezcalitos Beach, Chen Rio Beach, Bush Beach, and Punta Celarain.
“According to current and wind models, easterly wind conditions are expected to continue, which will generate excessive amounts of sargassum entering the entire coastline from Xcalak to nearby Sian Ka'an and Cancun, as well as east and south of Cozumel Island,” the report states.
Despite the presence of sargassum, Cancun and Riviera Maya expect hotel occupations of around 90%, while in Cozumel rates of around 85% are expected, says Pablo Aguilar, representative of the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ) in Cozumel.
Regarding the management of sargassum, he mentions that hotel complexes usually take care of its cleaning, so even on beaches with moderate problems there are conditions for visiting tourists.
Although the problem of sargassum for Easter is moderate, by summer it is expected to increase.