Good News: Tulum gets New Barrier to Curb Invasive Sargassum!
Tulum National Park is among the most popular tourist destinations in the Riviera Maya. With a perfect combination of Mayan ruins, lush vegetation, and breathtaking panoramic views of the Mexican-Caribbean coastline, it’s not to be missed. The park receives many tourists from Cancun each year who make the 2-hour journey to spend the day exploring.
This past summer, peak sargassum levels in Cancun, and Playa del Carmen have led to even more tourism at Tulum National Park. This was partly due to the lower levels of the invasive plant in the park compared with other areas. Now that barriers have been installed in Tulum, tourists can enjoy the gorgeous national park without the threat of any sargassum.
What is Sargassum?
Sargassum is a brown, leafy seaweed that floats on the ocean’s surface and clumps together in huge masses. It can be found on beaches worldwide, from the shores along the Caribbean coast to Argentina. Generally occupying the shallow waters and coral reefs of tropical oceans, it serves an essential purpose in the ocean’s ecosystem.
Unfortunately, despite not being harmful to humans, it often becomes a nuisance and an eyesore when tourists want to swim and relax in the dazzling blue, Caribbean waters. In addition to its unsightly appearance, the seaweed washes ashore and begins to decompose, releasing a foul odor. During peak sargassum season, this is enough to deter swimmers and sunbathers from coming to the area.
How do Sargassum Barriers Work?
The addition of sargassum barriers works with preventive measures already in place. When the sargassum naturally floats to the water’s surface, the walls catch it before it can wash ashore. When the barriers catch the seaweed, boats will then have the opportunity to collect and dispose of it (typically by composting) in areas farther away from tourist activity. Additional efforts by the Tulum City Council are underway to create a new facility to process the seaweed collected from the barriers.
Barriers in Other Areas of the Riviera Maya
Sargassum barriers are not something new to Tulum National Park. There have been approximately 600 meters of barriers installed along Tulum’s coastline recently, as well as bands assigned to the Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel areas. Peak sargassum levels occurred in the Riviera Maya this year between late July and August. Sargassum runoff is predicted to last until November due to the high volume of seaweed in the Atlantic Ocean. Putting these barriers in place will not only curb the seaweed that is there now, but it will also serve as a preventative measure for next summer.
Tulum National Park Tourism
Tulum National Park is among the most popular tourist destinations in the Riviera Maya. With a perfect combination of Mayan ruins, lush vegetation, and breathtaking panoramic views of the Mexican-Caribbean coastline, it’s not to be missed. The park receives many tourists from Cancun each year who make the 2-hour journey to spend the day exploring. This past summer, peak sargassum levels in Cancun, and Playa del Carmen have led to even more tourism at Tulum National Park.
This was partly due to the lower levels of the invasive plant in the park compared with other areas. Now that barriers have been installed in Tulum, tourists can enjoy the gorgeous national park without the threat of any sargassum.
The Perfect Vacation Awaits in Tulum
The perfect vacation has been preserved with Mexican authorities prioritizing preventing sargassum on their otherwise pristine beaches. So now you can relax on the powdery-sand beaches, explore the underwater world by snorkeling, or participate in watersports without the risk of seaweed hindering your experience. With new barriers fully installed, tourists and citizens alike can feel at ease that there is a solid plan to maintain Tulum’s gorgeous beaches year-round.
