Quintana Roo launches a large-scale beach restoration project in Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Puerto Morelos, using nature-based methods to combat erosion and safeguard tourism infrastructure.
The government of Quintana Roo has launched an ambitious and environmentally focused beach restoration initiative in some of its most important tourism zones, including Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Puerto Morelos. The project is distinguished by its emphasis on nature-based solutions to coastal erosion, signaling a strategic shift away from traditional beach replenishment and toward long-term ecological resilience.
This latest initiative, announced by the state’s Secretary of Ecology and Environment, Oscar Rébora, comes in response to increasingly severe environmental degradation across the Riviera Maya’s coastline. Rising sea levels, intensified storm activity, and unrelenting tourism development have accelerated beach erosion, placing critical tourism infrastructure and natural ecosystems at risk. Rather than continuing the costly and often short-lived process of importing sand to restore beaches, state officials are now looking to nature itself for sustainable answers.
“We can’t just continue replenishing the beach. We must propose nature-based solutions, such as rebuilding dunes and restoring coral reefs,” Rébora said during a press briefing in Cancún. The plan seeks to rehabilitate over 30 kilometers of affected coastal areas across the state. Among the key interventions are the reconstruction of sand dunes and the restoration of coral reef systems that act as natural barriers against ocean swells and storm surges.
The state’s coastline is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest coral reef system in the world and a natural asset vital to the health of the region’s marine ecosystems and economy. Recent reports indicate that nearly 60% of the reef’s coral cover has suffered bleaching or degradation in the past decade, largely due to rising sea temperatures, pollution, and unregulated tourism activity. Coral reefs not only serve as biodiversity hotspots but also absorb the impact of waves and storms, protecting beaches and infrastructure from erosion and flooding.
In addition to reef restoration, the state’s dune systems are being targeted for rehabilitation. Dunes act as a natural defense line, preventing sand loss and helping coastal vegetation to stabilize the terrain. Their destruction over the years, through unchecked construction and foot traffic from millions of annual visitors, has left beaches vulnerable to tidal encroachment.
The restoration project involves coordination between several government agencies, academic institutions, and environmental NGOs. These partnerships aim to ensure the scientific integrity and sustainability of the interventions, with a particular focus on ensuring local communities are involved in monitoring and maintenance efforts.
“We are not just investing in beaches. We are investing in long-term protection for coastal towns, for tourism jobs, and for the ecosystems that make Quintana Roo unique,” said Laura Hernández, director of coastal sustainability at a local environmental organization involved in the project.
Beyond environmental concerns, the move has significant economic implications. Tourism is the backbone of Quintana Roo’s economy, contributing more than 87% of GDP in municipalities such as Benito Juárez (Cancún) and Solidaridad (Playa del Carmen). Maintaining pristine beaches and a healthy marine environment is essential not only to the survival of marine life but also to the continued viability of the tourism industry, which draws millions of international visitors each year.
In 2023 alone, Quintana Roo welcomed more than 20 million visitors, many of whom were attracted by the promise of white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and world-class snorkeling and diving experiences. These natural features are directly tied to the health of the coastal environment. A report by the Center for Coastal Studies estimated that the economic value of ecosystem services provided by coral reefs and dunes in Quintana Roo exceeds $3 billion annually when considering storm protection, biodiversity, and tourism-related income.
With global climate patterns becoming increasingly erratic, state officials say that proactive environmental management is no longer optional—it is imperative. The long-term success of the initiative will depend on continued investment, strict enforcement of environmental regulations, and public education campaigns to reduce harmful behavior among residents and tourists.
Part of the strategy also includes new legislation aimed at limiting beachside development, increasing penalties for coral damage, and enforcing access restrictions to vulnerable dune systems. These measures have sparked resistance from some developers and tourism operators, who argue that the new policies could limit economic growth. However, officials maintain that unchecked development has already proven more costly in the long run due to the need for repeated repairs and restorations.
“We’ve reached a point where business-as-usual is no longer acceptable,” said Rébora. “If we want to continue benefiting from the incredible natural beauty that makes Quintana Roo an international tourism magnet, we have to start treating nature not as an obstacle, but as an ally.”
One of the most innovative components of the project is the use of artificial reef structures made from biodegradable and non-toxic materials. These structures provide a foundation for coral fragments to attach and grow, eventually forming a living reef that strengthens over time. Similarly, dune restoration efforts include planting native vegetation such as sea oats and coastal grasses, which help trap sand and prevent wind erosion.
Local hotels and tourism businesses are also being encouraged to participate in the restoration effort. Through incentive programs and sustainability certifications, the state government hopes to foster a sense of shared responsibility for the coastline. Some resort operators have already begun modifying their beachfront operations, installing designated walkways to protect dunes, and funding coral nurseries.
Despite the challenges, early pilot programs have shown promising results. In a test area near Puerto Morelos, a restored section of dune with native vegetation successfully resisted a Category 1 storm surge, preserving more than 300 meters of beach that otherwise would have been washed away. Likewise, coral fragments transplanted to artificial reefs in Cozumel have shown up to 80% survival rates, according to marine biologists monitoring the sites.
For residents of coastal communities, the initiative represents both hope and responsibility. Fishermen, dive tour operators, hotel staff, and restaurant owners are among those who directly depend on a healthy coastline for their livelihoods. Many have been recruited as environmental stewards, participating in coral monitoring, dune planting, and beach patrols.
“This is our home. These are our beaches. We know what’s at stake,” said Martín Pérez, a local fisherman and community leader in Playa del Carmen. “If the coral dies, the fish disappear. If the dunes vanish, the beach disappears. If the beach disappears, the tourists stop coming. We have to protect it all.”
As the restoration project enters its next phase, the state is seeking federal support and international funding to expand the program. Talks are underway with global conservation groups, climate resilience funds, and international tourism stakeholders. The goal is to turn Quintana Roo into a model of sustainable coastal tourism, where environmental protection and economic prosperity are not at odds but deeply intertwined.
In a world where climate change continues to reshape coastlines and challenge communities, Quintana Roo’s initiative stands as a forward-thinking effort that acknowledges the intricate link between natural systems and human economies. By restoring what nature originally built, the state is not only preserving its beaches but also securing its future.
