Current Seaweed Conditions in Mahahual and Impact on Tourism

Discover the latest seaweed conditions in Mahahual and how it's affecting the tourism industry. Learn about the efforts being made to maintain the beaches and the impact on local businesses. Plan your trip accordingly and stay up to date with the latest information.

Current Seaweed Conditions in Mahahual and Impact on Tourism
Costa Maya: Mahahual seaweed conditions at one point during the sargassum season. Photo: Canal 10

If you're looking for current seaweed conditions in Mahahual, it's important to stay informed about the latest strategies to combat sargassum. Unfortunately, local businessmen feel that their proposals have been ignored by the Secretary of the Mexican Navy (Semar), leading to a failed fight against seaweed.

Rodolfo Espadas Ixté, Vice President of the Businessmen's Association of the Great Mayan Coast, explained that the federal government's strategy has not taken into account the experience of previous seasons or the needs of the business sector. As a result, the sargassum barrier has been placed in inadequate areas with only 50 percent of the agreed linear meters, which allows the algae to reach the beach area and negatively affects tourism.

Mahahual's businessmen are calling for a change in strategy to effectively combat the seaweed problem. By listening to their proposals, a better fight against macroalgae can be generated. In addition, the Semar would save money by not having to disburse resources to install its seaweed barriers and keep its beaches clean, since the sargassum can create a bad image for tourists. Stay informed about the latest developments and proposals to combat Mahahual seaweed to ensure a pleasant experience during your visit.

Local hotelier, Javier López Durán, confirms that they have been requesting the installation of anti-sargasso barriers since January. However, only 400 meters of the 1,500-meter goal have been anchored and this has caused tons of seaweed to reach the beach. Despite the efforts of 80 workers collecting sargassum for up to 12 hours a day, without containment barriers, the problem returns every night. An intense arrival of sargassum is expected in the next 10 days.

Mahahual's beaches are a primary attraction, and the current seaweed situation has caused cancellations and concerns among tourists. Local businesses were expecting the arrival of 6,000 visitors a day during Easter vacations, but with the current situation, it is unlikely to reach even half of that. We have asked the Secretary of the Navy to inform us when the installation of the barriers will be concluded. We hope this information helps you make an informed decision about your travel plans.