Cancun Working to Keep Beaches Clean for 2023

Image: Cancun sign at Wyndham Alltra Cancun. (photo by Codie Liermann)
Image: Cancun sign at Wyndham Alltra Cancun. (photo by Codie Liermann)
Donald Wood
by Donald Wood
Last updated: 10:47 AM ET, Wed January 25, 2023

Cancun officials are investing heavily in keeping the popular Mexican travel destination's award-winning beaches clean for travelers in 2023.

According to The Cancun Sun, the local government announced plans to implement many strategies from 2022 to limit the accumulation of plastic and glass waste and collect sargassum on Mexican Caribbean beaches.

The city will employ around 180 full-time workers who will be tasked with maintaining the beauty of the beaches in the high season. The focus will allow the destination's beaches to maintain their coveted Blue Flag statuses.

Personnel will also be hired to patrol the area's beaches, warn visitors to throw away their trash and provide education on why keeping the region clean is so important to the environment and the success of tourism.

Benito Juarez City Council members reportedly authorized the collection of 464.6 tons of waste from the seven beaches under its control last year. Of the shorelines cleaned, Playa Delfines generated the most trash in 2022.

Another major problem for the region is the stinky seaweed that collects on the beaches, with experts still trying to decipher how much sargassum is expected this year.

The region continues to develop techniques and tools to tackle the smelly problem, including the implementation of sargassum barriers and seaweed collection ships from the Mexican Navy.

Earlier this month, Cancun International Airport became the first in Mexico to accept electronic passports by implementing 14 automatic migratory filters in terminal 3 of the busy facility.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Donald Wood

Donald Wood

Managing Editor

Donald Wood is TravelPulse’s Managing Editor, bringing nearly 15 years of experience to the desk. He currently lives outside Philadelphia with his wife and two children.

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Puerto Vallarta Specialist ProgramEnveloped in the beauty of a by-gone time, this colorful town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is sure to win...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Costa Rica Specialist ProgramCosta Rica Specialist Program academy ENROLL NOW Costa Rica offers golden shores, fish-filled waters,...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Korea Travel Specialist ProgramThis course will allow you to explore this fascinating country's incredible diversity of experiences...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Puerto Vallarta Specialist ProgramEnveloped in the beauty of a by-gone time, this colorful town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is sure to win...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Costa Rica Specialist ProgramCosta Rica Specialist Program academy ENROLL NOW Costa Rica offers golden shores, fish-filled waters,...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Korea Travel Specialist ProgramThis course will allow you to explore this fascinating country's incredible diversity of experiences...

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Watch Now!
Understanding Expedition Cruising: What Sets It Apart and How to Sell ItWednesday, June 3, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions for an engaging webinar designed to help you better...
Upcoming Webinar
Discover KLM Royal Dutch AirlinesThursday, June 4, 2026
2:00pm ET
Join Travel Weekly and Air France-KLM for deep dive into the world of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. You’ll...
Upcoming Webinar
Unveiling Oceania Cruises’ New Voyages, Plus Caribbean GetawaysWednesday, June 10, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
This exclusive webinar will showcase what’s new, what’s next, and how these immersive itineraries are...
Watch Now!
Understanding Expedition Cruising: What Sets It Apart and How to Sell ItWednesday, June 3, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions for an engaging webinar designed to help you better...
Upcoming Webinar
Discover KLM Royal Dutch AirlinesThursday, June 4, 2026
2:00pm ET
Join Travel Weekly and Air France-KLM for deep dive into the world of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. You’ll...
Upcoming Webinar
Unveiling Oceania Cruises’ New Voyages, Plus Caribbean GetawaysWednesday, June 10, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
This exclusive webinar will showcase what’s new, what’s next, and how these immersive itineraries are...