Deputies Approve Free Access to Beaches, Protected Areas

The Chamber of Deputies has approved, in both general and specific terms, a reform guaranteeing free and unrestricted access to Mexico’s beaches and federally protected natural areas. The initiative secured unanimous voting: 465 votes in favor with no opposition in the general vote, and 470 in favor with only one against in the specific vote. The bill will now move to the Senate for constitutional review.

The reform modifies provisions of the General Law of National Assets and the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection. It establishes that access to maritime beaches and the adjoining federal maritime-terrestrial zone must be free, permanent, and without distinction of origin, nationality, or social status. The law explicitly prohibits any attempt to block or restrict entry, except in cases related to environmental protection, public safety, or national interest.

It also bans the imposition of fees, quotas, or restrictive conditions for entry. Concessions and permits granted in these federal zones must now include guaranteed public access.

New Obligations for Authorities

To enforce these rights, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) must establish a National Registry of Beach Access Points, in coordination with municipalities. This registry will be developed using urban development programs, ecological zoning plans, and agreements with property owners adjacent to the federal maritime-terrestrial zone.

Municipalities and states must also inscribe beach access points in public registries and land records, ensuring their permanence and legal recognition during property transactions or boundary adjustments.

Additionally, SEMARNAT must ensure that communities in coastal areas, particularly in towns with concessions unrelated to adjacent landowners, have designated public access routes.

The reform also guarantees that the public will have at least one free-access day per week to federally protected natural areas. On Sundays and holidays, SEMARNAT will promote discounts under the Federal Rights Law and provide free entry when conditions allow, always ensuring ecosystem protection.

Political Consensus and Adjustments

Lawmakers across party lines praised the reform saying that the measure restores public interest over private business, balancing tourism investment with social rights: “Today we take a step in recovering Mexico’s beaches for the people,” says Deputy Ricardo Mejía.

“Enjoying beaches is a right of the Mexican people. We are not against investment, but we oppose the privatization of beaches,” says Deputy Armando Díaz.

With near-unanimous approval in the Chamber of Deputies, the reform now heads to the Senate, where it will undergo further constitutional review. If ratified, the new framework will significantly reshape access rights to Mexico’s coasts and natural protected areas, reinforcing public ownership of the country’s most emblematic natural spaces.