We are staying in El Cedral for three weeks and are renting a car. I understand that most (if not all) beaches on the west side are concessions. Any suggestions on where I can park and access the beaches on the west side for nice long walks?
Access to Beaches
- Thread starter Sneruh
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Not saying that this is universally enforced, however it is my understanding that this is the law.
How Mexico will keep its public beaches accessible to everyone - Lonely Planet
The Mexican government voted to introduce hefty fines for hotels, restaurants or other coastal businesses who block public access to the country’s beaches.
www.lonelyplanet.com
cozcharlie
Contributor
As @ibj40 indicated, all beaches are theoretically public, but access can still be tricky since the beach clubs often try to make it difficult. Palancar Beach Club has generally been pretty reasonable about not charging a cover, but usually I am ordering food. They (like other beach clubs ) could probably legally deny you parking and make you walk in from the road. Wherever you cross I would be prepared to say that you were going to the federal zone (Zona Federal) in Spanish.
One other thing to note is that given you have a car I would actually recommend walking on the East side in the mornings before the cruise ship people arrive as long as the seaweed isn’t too bad when you are on the island. I used to take long early morning walks there once upon time (and before the seaweed was such an issue). The sound of the waves crashing on shore makes for great background noise for your walk. Very little traffic over there before 9am unless something has changed (and you can walk on the bicycle and pedestrian only road that is closer to the shore than the car road anyway) . There are some stretches where walking on the beach is possible and some rocky areas where walking on the road is the only option.
EDIT: Forgot to mention that I would almost certainly get bug spray if you are planning to walk on either side near dawn or dusk. Might be be able to get by without it during the middle of winter, but obviously better to be prepared than not.
One other thing to note is that given you have a car I would actually recommend walking on the East side in the mornings before the cruise ship people arrive as long as the seaweed isn’t too bad when you are on the island. I used to take long early morning walks there once upon time (and before the seaweed was such an issue). The sound of the waves crashing on shore makes for great background noise for your walk. Very little traffic over there before 9am unless something has changed (and you can walk on the bicycle and pedestrian only road that is closer to the shore than the car road anyway) . There are some stretches where walking on the beach is possible and some rocky areas where walking on the road is the only option.
EDIT: Forgot to mention that I would almost certainly get bug spray if you are planning to walk on either side near dawn or dusk. Might be be able to get by without it during the middle of winter, but obviously better to be prepared than not.
Thank you for this. Looking forward to our trip and getting some diving in.
I'm pretty sure the clubs can keep you from crossing through their property but if you stay on the beach where there is one I think you can walk anywhere you want.
Also the mosquitos are generally not that bad most inhabited places on the island if it hasn't rained in a couple of weeks but they come out pretty quick once it does.
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Have you been to the island before? Do not leave anything unsecured in the car. Most locals are wonderful and honest, but there are exceptions. I had to stop laughing at people who've left their phones behind after getting mine back from where I left it on Melgar (front street) one time, but there are a few that watch for unsecured bags.
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Yeah, true. Some vacationers get so relaxed that they forget there tho. I see reports of visitors losing their passport, phone, wallet, etc when they leave them in a bag on the beach while swimming. Too easy. Except there I think most suggest not leaving anything in a locked car as that encourages broken windows.
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Oh really? Mine is usually in my garage,* but in the wild, I always lock it. I carry too many tools in the trunk, other things in the console and glovebox, along with my car insurance, etc. none of which would I carry in a rental while on a trip.
* I'm the only person I know who backs into his garage. It makes loading and unloading easier like after grocery shopping or before tomorrow's road trip, but I do it mostly so I can watch for neighborhood children, but then here they play in the street as well.
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