So far in 2025, the La Paz City Council has received eight reports of beach access being obstructed by construction companies, violating the Mexican Constitution, which guarantees public access to all beaches.
The reports, filed since January, detail illegal installations such as gates and booths in public access areas without permits. Municipal Comptroller Pável Castro stated that some construction sites lack proper licenses and are situated on public roads, which is both an administrative and environmental violation. These cases were submitted through the city’s complaint app.
“We’ve received eight reports so far this year. Unlike in 2023, when we immediately removed gates, we now follow a formal process,” said Castro. Current efforts are handled by the City’s Comprehensive Management Directorate, which reviews permits and develops legal tools for new municipal regulations to ensure beach access.
Castro noted the goal is to propose internal regulations and potentially legislative changes at the state or federal level. He highlighted a legal gap in the national property law, where the responsibility for access routes is unclear between SEMARNAT and property owners.
The City Council has also advised the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (PROFEPA) in cases potentially involving criminal violations. Blocking beach access can lead to fines of up to $10,400 US and possible cancellation of concessions from ZOFEMAT (Federal Maritime-Terrestrial Zone).
Social media posts brought attention to a fenced-off property blocking long-standing beach access near the CET-MAR high school. Residents expressed frustration, emphasizing the area has historically been open for public use. Citizens cited the General Law of National Assets, State Urban Development Law, and State Civil Code, all of which guarantee public beach access.
A 2023 municipal survey found that nearly 20% of La Paz’s beaches are illegally blocked, with 27 of 149 public access points obstructed. One notable case involved El Saltito beach, where a resort owner restricted access for private guests, contrary to Article 18 of the Land Transit Law of Baja California Sur, which mandates easements for public beach access.
In response to these issues, the city launched the Beach Access Release Program. Over the past two years, officials have surveyed beaches and engaged landowners to restore public access. Some have complied, removing barriers to avoid fines. In cases of refusal, municipal police have been authorized to dismantle obstructions.
The program has successfully reopened El Saltito, Las Cruces, and Tesoro Escondido beaches, which had been inaccessible to the public for over a decade. The city encourages tourists and residents to report blocked access through the La Paz App. The app functions offline in rural areas, allowing users to submit photos and GPS data.
Officials follow up on each report, contacting landowners and ensuring legal compliance. Authorities stress that developers and property owners cannot ignore federal laws protecting public beach access.