Mexico City – As summer revelers head to Mexico’s beautiful shores, a nationwide water quality survey by Cofepris, the country’s health regulator, brings fantastic news: 93.8% of the analyzed beaches are safe for recreational use.
Cofepris conducts yearly water quality monitoring through the APCRS (Areas for the Protection against Sanitary Risks), assessing marine waters in Mexico’s 17 coastal states. This summer, sampling was conducted on 289 beaches across 76 popular tourist destinations.
The extensive analysis included 2,315 samples collected from 393 points, revealing that 93.8% of the beaches (271 in total) met the standards for safe recreational use. While a few beaches exceeded the WHO’s permitted levels of enterococci, a bacteria indicating fecal contamination, this means the majority are perfect for swimming and enjoying.
The beaches with higher levels of enterococci, indicating the need for improvement, are located in Baja California (2), Colima (2), Jalisco (1), Oaxaca (3), and Veracruz (10).
In Jalisco, most of Puerto Vallarta’s beaches, including Yelapa, Quimixto, Las Ánimas, Mismaloya, Gemelas, Los Muertos, Del Cuale, Las Palmas, and Camarones, are safe. However, Oasis Beach, also known as Holi Beach, needs more attention again this summer, as it exceeded the bacteria limits for the second year in a row.
Regular water quality monitoring is crucial for preventing health risks. Factors that can negatively impact beach water quality include storm drain runoff, improper sewage disposal, and increased activity during peak tourist seasons. Cofepris is coordinating with local authorities in the affected states to implement sanitation measures and improve beach conditions.
Everyone is encouraged to keep these beautiful beaches clean, not just during the holiday season but all year round, to preserve these natural treasures for all to enjoy.