Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – As festive revelers flock to Mexico’s sunny shores for the holidays, a nationwide water quality survey by Cofepris, the country’s health regulator, reveals mostly good news: 98% of the 254 beaches analyzed nationwide are deemed safe for swimming, including 10 in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco.
The analysis involved testing 2,047 seawater samples from 69 tourist destinations across 16 Mexican states, focusing on measuring levels of the bacteria Enterococcus faecalis, known for causing infections in humans.
Out of the 254 beaches, only six exceeded the World Health Organization’s safe limit of 200 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water. These beaches are located in Baja California, Chiapas, Sinaloa, and Tabasco. Cofepris has swiftly mobilized local authorities in these states to implement sanitation measures and restore safe swimming conditions.
Thankfully, none of the beaches in Jalisco fell into this category. While all the beaches in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo Corrientes passed the test, two came close to the limit: Playa del Cuale with 167 enterococci and Mismaloya with 140. The rest had significantly lower levels, with Yelapa coming in at a mere 71. The remaining eight, including the popular Los Muertos and Yelapa beaches, boasted significantly lower levels.
This pre-emptive water quality assessment underscores the proactive approach Mexican authorities are taking to safeguard the health of tourists and locals alike. While the overall picture is encouraging, the identified outliers serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilant monitoring and swift action to maintain pristine coastal environments.
For vacationers, the message is clear: while basking in the Mexican sun and turquoise waters, remain mindful of the identified beaches and exercise basic hygiene precautions. With cautious indulgence and the ongoing efforts of regulatory bodies, this holiday season promises to be a healthy and joyous one for all.
