Puerto Vallarta, México – Residents of the fishing village of Mismaloya joined activists and local service providers this week to protest what they fear could become the privatization of access to the Arcos de Mismaloya, a protected natural area that safeguards an important marine park.
The demonstration led to the temporary closure of Federal Highway 200 for nearly five hours on Wednesday. The highway runs the length of the Jalisco coast, linking Manzanillo, Colima, with Tepic, Nayarit. Protesters blocked traffic from morning until mid-afternoon, calling for firm guarantees that public access to the beach and surrounding federal zones will remain protected.
Among the main concerns raised was an alleged proposal tied to Fernando González Corona, owner of the Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa, who demonstrators accused of seeking to construct a breakwater as part of a larger plan to restrict access to the protected natural area. Demonstrators also criticized past administrations for allowing real estate developers to claim federal zones along the beach and mountainsides.
Participants emphasized that Mismaloya’s struggle is part of a broader regional challenge. Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit have seen intense tourism and real estate development in recent years, increasing pressure on beaches, mountains, and other natural spaces traditionally open to the public.
As traffic backed up for kilometers, protesters addressed travelers directly, apologizing for the disruption and explaining that the action was intended to draw attention to years of unanswered requests for protection. Large banners invoked Article 27 of Mexico’s National Assets Law and appealed to President Claudia Sheinbaum, reminding federal authorities of commitments to keep beaches public.
The road closure ultimately opened a channel for dialogue. Municipal officials, including Territory and Sustainable City Manager Dr. Terrance Vincent O’Halloran Lepe and Environmental Sustainability Director Roberto Ornelas Carrillo, met with residents at the site to hear their concerns about environmental damage and possible restrictions on beach access. Eventually, the officials reached an agreement with the protesters to restore the flow of traffic.
City representatives confirmed that no permits have been issued for construction in the disputed federal zone. They also agreed that a formal petition would be submitted to Mayor Luis Munguía, who will forward it to state and federal agencies, including SEMARNAT (the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources), for review and follow-up. The municipal government pledged to act as an institutional liaison to ensure transparency and continued communication as the process moves forward.
The agreement reached at the site marked an important step toward cooperation, reinforcing the shared commitment to protect Mismaloya’s natural heritage while respecting the rights of local residents and visitors alike. With municipal authorities pledging support and coordination with state and federal agencies, the dialogue opened by this protest offers a constructive path forward focused on conservation, public access, and long-term environmental stewardship.
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