Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Despite growing concern over thick sargassum deposits on beaches across the Mexican Caribbean, the Hotel Association of Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres insists the impact on tourism has been minimal.
“Sargassum cancellations, I know it’s an important issue and the truth is there have been very few cancellations. I have the data here from talking to all the hotels, so it really hasn’t been a significant issue,” said Rodrigo de la Peña, president of the association.
While some hotels — including Hard Rock and Dream Vista Gran Oasis — have acknowledged a few cancellations, the association downplays their significance. De la Peña also claimed that Puerto Morelos has reported no sargassum-related cancellations, and Playa del Carmen’s figures are so low they’re “not even being taken into account.”
However, some travelers and local residents have shared a different picture online, posting photos of heavily affected beaches and expressing frustration at the lack of transparent updates from tourism authorities. Critics argue that hotel leaders may be underreporting the situation to protect bookings during peak summer months.
De la Peña suggested that some cancellations may be driven more by perception than reality and pointed to “poor promotion” as a factor. “We are sharing all the good news we have because Quintana Roo has so many attributes,” he said. “We are a truly great state with many areas to highlight to mitigate these issues.”
To counter negative coverage, the Hotel Association and the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council are launching campaigns focusing on non-beach attractions — such as pools, bars, and inland excursions — to maintain visitor interest.
“North American tourists, who are the predominant market, are very much pool tourists,” de la Peña explained. “Of course, the beach is what they see the most and what hotels charge the most for, but they love being by the pool and in the bars and restaurants, so we haven’t really had a series of massive cancellations due to sargassum.”
What is Sargassum?
Sargassum is a brown algae that drifts across the Atlantic and often washes ashore in large quantities across the Caribbean. Although harmless in the water, once it decays on land, it emits foul-smelling gases and can disrupt the beach experience significantly.
While local authorities continue daily cleanup efforts, large volumes continue to accumulate on popular beaches, particularly during peak season from late spring through mid-summer.
When Will It End?
According to the latest update from the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab, the peak of the 2025 sargassum season likely occurred in June. Their July bulletin forecasts a gradual decline through August and into the fall. Historically, sargassum influxes taper off by October — although in recent years, unusually warm ocean temperatures have prolonged the season.
Despite optimism from officials, many in the tourism sector remain cautious, especially as satellite images continue to show sizable mats of seaweed floating offshore.
Resources for Accurate Beach Conditions
Travelers looking to get a clearer picture of current beach conditions are encouraged to consult independent, real-time sources:
- Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo Cancún (Facebook) – Crowdsourced beach photos and alerts.
- SEMA Quintana Roo – Daily government-issued sargassum forecasts.
- NOAA CoastWatch Caribbean – Satellite-based data for sargassum tracking.
While the Hotel Association maintains a confident tone, the contrast between official statements and online reports has raised eyebrows. As sargassum continues to define the summer landscape along Mexico’s Caribbean coast, transparency — or the lack thereof — may shape visitor expectations more than marketing ever could.
