Paco Facullo
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600% growth in tourism overwhelms popular Baja beach
Measures such as an admission fee and a time limit for visitors are being introduced to protect the area.
A Baja California Sur beach has been overwhelmed by growth of more than 600% in visitor numbers over the past six years, prompting authorities to
prepare a new management plan that includes charging people to access the protected coastal area.
Located 20 kilometers from the state capital La Paz, Balandra has been described as the most beautiful beach in Mexico, and it seems many would agree.
Its promotion by state tourism authorities and travel agencies as well as photos and videos of the beach on social media and popular blogs have caused
visitor numbers to explode.
“When we started visiting and studying Balandra 30 years ago, there was no tourism,” the state director of the Natural Protected Areas Commission
(Conanp), told the newspaper Milenio.
“. . . In 2013, we had 28,000 visitors . . . and we’ll end this year with 200,000 . . .” Benito Bermúdez Almada predicted, which would be a
614% increase.
He said that as many as 2,000 people a day visit the beach, four times the recommended maximum.
The massive tourism spike has placed a significant strain on Balandra, the main beach with its own parking lot; Balandra 2, where an iconic
mushroom-shaped rock is located; and seven other beaches in the 2,500-hectare protected area.
Garbage left behind by tourists and the resulting contamination of the coastline and sea is the biggest problem the area faces.
According to Conanp, the municipal government collects an average of 12 tonnes of trash per week from Balandra, although a local tourism guide
disputes the claim.
“The citizens who work here . . . are tasked with cleaning the area,” Roberto Lomelí said.
“. . . We don’t have trash cans on the beach because they attract flies; besides, rubbish collection services don’t come by regularly,” he
added.
The presence of fecal matter in the water is also an increasing problem.
Bermúdez said when people go to the beach they take their children and that represents a possible increase in coliform bacteria.
The most recent testing showed that the water was still within recommended standards, he said, but “it’s close to the limit . . . We don’t want
to let it get out of hand.”
To mitigate the problem, state and municipal authorities are planning to provide improved washrooms.
Other measures to provide better protection of the beaches will be an increase in the number of park rangers from three to 12, a ban on vendors from
entering and a four-hour time limit for beachgoers. Also planned is an admission fee of 36 pesos per person per day to enter the Balandra protected
area.
“. . . It’s not about denying entry to anyone; everyone will be able to go to Balandra but in an orderly way. We want to certify it as a clean
beach,” he added, explaining that will only be possible through stricter regulation.
Since I've given up all hope, I feel much better
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BajaNomad
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Thread Moved
11-1-2019 at 10:04 AM |
matthew_mangus
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One of the negatives of the Instagram Affect is the increase in tourism to beautiful natural spots.
I like to explore remote dirt tracks and beaches.
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JZ
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Been there many times by boat. It's been a chit, show on the beach for the last 3 years minimum.
We just look at it from the water.
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bajamary1952
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That place has actually been overwhelmed with tourists for several years as with many other beaches.
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Santiago
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Slight highjack - Over the last 15 years I have visited this beach many times and have only twice seen any other creature: once another skiff and once
a lone coyote working the shore. 30 minute boat ride north of BOLA.
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Paco Facullo
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Sweet !
Paradise found....
No roads and/or bad roads keep things nice.... Lucky you..
It's surprising how bad the internet and people F'up a good thing...
Since I've given up all hope, I feel much better
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Marc
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I'm on my way!
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gnukid
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One day when I went there, suddenly there was a huge mansion, I panicked, there was a film crew making a movie who said it's foam structure just for
the day, I protested but the next day it was gone. I never wanted to see the movie, but recently I did and there was balandra featured. For a laugh
watch "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" which is a really silly movie.
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gnukid
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The article is an exaggeration which is apparently a precursor to paid entry, is is reported today that the city officials are always trying to scam
money from providers f services at Balandra and extorting anyone they can for services there, such as selling hats and renting kayaks and so forth.
It's always been a place perceived to be a future money tree even though it's just a shallow tidal beach. People are crazy about Balandra.
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gnukid
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You will love the massive amount of flies and lack of bathrooms.
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4x4abc
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there might be a connection between flies and no bathrooms
the recent closure due to e-coli in the water fits as well
Harald Pietschmann
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mtgoat666
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This beach would be good location for hotel resorts. Fences and walls of a resorts would limit number of people on beach, and eliminate crowds —
and provide jobs, Econ boost. Hotel workers would keep beach clean. Win win
[Edited on 11-8-2019 by mtgoat666]
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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4x4abc
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Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  | This beach would be good location for hotel resorts. Fences and walls of a resorts would limit number of people on beach, and eliminate crowds —
and provide jobs, Econ boost. Hotel workers would keep beach clean. Win win
[Edited on 11-8-2019 by mtgoat666] |
hotels are the ultimate beach saver
because hotel guests prefer the clean pool
but they love to see the beach from the window
and the security guards will keep the locals away
Harald Pietschmann
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