Beaches For Everyone! 3 Blocked Access Points To Beaches In La Paz Dismantled

Share The Article

La Paz, Baja California Sur – May 29, 2025 – The beautiful beaches of La Paz are becoming more accessible to everyone, thanks to recent decisive actions by local authorities. In a significant win for public access, three beach entry points that had been illegally blocked were dismantled in late May, reaffirming the public’s right to enjoy the stunning coastline.

The La Paz City Council, responding directly to complaints from concerned citizens, successfully reopened one access point in the popular Cerritos area and two more in the community of El Pescadero. These blockades, often illegal installations like gates or booths erected without proper permits, had unfairly restricted entry to cherished public beaches.

While specific details on whether these three particular access points were attempting to charge fees were not immediately available, the issue of illegal fees for beach entry has been a broader concern in the region. For instance, authorities had previously revoked legal protection for barriers at “El Saltito,” “El Carrizalito,” and “Las Cruces” beaches in La Paz, where there were reports of fees being charged for public use. The move to demolish these obstructions signaled a strong stance against such practices.

Pável Castro Ríos, the Municipal Comptroller, highlighted that the La Paz City Council has received eight reports of obstructed beach access by various entities, including construction companies, so far in 2025. He explained that while in the past, the city might have immediately removed such barriers, there’s now a more formalized process. The City’s Comprehensive Management Directorate reviews permits meticulously and is actively working on new municipal regulations designed to safeguard public beach access for the long term.

This recent success is part of La Paz’s ongoing “Beach Access Release Program.” This proactive initiative involves surveying beaches and engaging with landowners to restore public entry. The program has already celebrated significant victories, including the reopening of El Saltito, Las Cruces, and Tesoro Escondido beaches, some of which had been inaccessible to the public for over a decade.

Public Frustration Mounts Over “Creeping Privatization”

The actions in La Paz come amidst a wider regional concern over what many perceive as the “creeping privatization” of Mexico’s coastlines, often driven by resort and private developments.

Just a couple of weeks ago, around May 17th, protests erupted in the neighboring municipality of Los Cabos, specifically in San José del Cabo. Residents and activists took to the streets to voice their frustration over new resort developments that they fear are increasingly limiting public access to popular beaches. Protestors called for stricter enforcement of laws that guarantee free passage to all Mexican beaches.

Under Mexican law, beaches are federal property (ZOFEMAT – Federal Maritime-Terrestrial Zone) and public access to them is a protected right. Obstructing this access can lead to substantial fines and even the cancellation of concessions or permits for developers or private entities. Both the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (PROFEPA) and local municipal authorities are tasked with upholding these crucial public access laws.

Authorities in La Paz are also empowering residents to take an active role. Citizens can report any blocked beach access points through the “La Paz App.” This tool allows users to submit photos and GPS data of obstructions, even from rural areas lacking immediate internet connectivity, ensuring that authorities can be alerted promptly.

The recent dismantling of the three access points in La Paz is a hopeful sign. It demonstrates a commitment from local government to listen to its citizens and take tangible steps to ensure that the natural beauty of Baja California Sur’s beaches remains available for everyone to enjoy – not just a select few. The ongoing efforts promise a continued push to keep these precious public spaces open and accessible for all.