Los Cabos Will Deploy National Guard To Clamp Down On Illegal Street Vendors

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Last Updated 1 year ago

Illegal street vendors have long been compromising the safety and security of Los Cabos, and the government is now stepping in to make beaches safer for tourists and locals alike. The Los Cabos Hotel Association, which includes a board of directors filled with the leaders of staple resorts of the city, such as Secrets Puerto Los Cabos and Solaz Luxury Collection Resort, put out a statement outlining measures that must be taken to make beaches safer for beach and resort visitors.

Los Cabos Hotel Association Involvement

Lilzi Orcí Fregoso, executive president of the Los Cabos Hotel Association, discussed the organization’s involvement in this effort, stating that the association is  “very participative in the security roundtables that are held every fortnight, where they are attended only by public or state security positions. Fiscal Inspection, with whom we bring a very saturated agenda with which we try to contain the irregular sale, the unregulated trade that is registered in the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zones.”

These unregulated vendors, often permitless, have long wandered the beaches of Los Cabos, offering a variety of products and services, including food and drink, hats, sunglasses, massages, and even tattoos. Unfortunately, there have also been incidents of vendors offering illicit drugs and substances. This illegal activity puts tourists at risk for scams and overall makes the beach a higher risk for danger.

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Along with the Los Cabos Hotel Association’s call to action, the El Tezal Citizen Council has also requested an increase in police presence on popular beaches. According to president Gabriel Larrea Santana, the illegal vendors have grown to a point where going to the beach is becoming unpleasant for tourists. Illegal street vendors have heavily saturated the area, and there have been incidents in the past of scams and vendors assaulting each other for the business of tourists. 

He notes, “on many occasions, there may be two tourists sitting on the beach and in front of them, six people offering products and services. It is very recurrent to see those street vendors far exceed the number of people who visit the beach, a fact that is seen at various times of the day.” 

In response to requests from these organizations, The Los Cabos government has enacted a joint plan with both the Fiscal Inspection and Security Bureaus in an effort to curb illegal vending. Estimates show there are currently over 1,000 vendors selling items and services on beaches daily, despite there only being close to 700 vendors that are permitted to conduct business in Los Cabos.

The task force’s goal is first to increase security on Medano Beach, which is generally regarded as the most popular beach in Los Cabos due to its prime location in the city and pristine waters.

The National Guard will be deployed on the beach to ensure that all vendors selling goods on the beach hold a permit, which guarantees that the vendor has been vetted and will be held responsible if they break any rules. 

Street vendors are not the only crime that the Los Cabos government is working to curb in 2022. According to the General Directorate of Public Security, Preventive Police and Municipal Traffic of Los Cabos (DGSPPPTM), the number of officers will be doubled in the popular Bay of San Lucas during high season to deter criminals from mingling with tourists. Additionally, the city has installed increased video security to better monitor and prevent crime during high season, which kicked off this month. 

Overall with this increased security and focus on monitoring in Los Cabos, there has never been a better time to visit the white sand beaches and luxurious resorts that the city has to offer. If you are ready to plan your trip, check out our article on the various Los Cabos hotels offering Black Friday Deals in 2022!