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Sargassum is making a comeback earlier than expected this year, and a powerful one at that, threatening to ruin vacation plans for thousands of travelers.
It may not be life threatening, but for the average beachgoer it does something even worse:
The proliferation of the foul-smelling seaweed taints the typically pristine beaches, accumulating in large deposits on the white sand, like spots, and sometimes spreading so disruptively that beaches have to be closed so that more intensive cleaning can be done.
Yet there are four incredible beach hotspots where sargassum probably won’t be a big problem for you, if it will be a problem at all:
Los Cabos
A relaxing leisure destination in the Mexican Pacific, the twin cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, which together form the luxurious ‘Los Cabos’, are best known for their luxury hotels, world-renowned wellness scene and abundant nature.
It is home to several iconic natural wonders, including the Cabo Pulmo Marine Reserve and the ‘Arco’ at Cabo San Lucas, a curved rock formation rising from the azure waters, and it has challenged Cancun for the title of Mexico’s number one resort spot for a while.
The fact that Cabo doesn’t see it each seaweed could help it overtake the Quintana Roo giant in the coming months because the Pacific Ocean is colder than the tropical Caribbean, part of the Atlantic Ocean, where sargassum originates.
In short, the worrying phenomenon is not observed in Caboand the beaches maintain a pristine golden hue all year round.
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is a fast-growing beach destination in the state of Sinaloa and is also located on the Pacific coast, which means sargassum should be your last concern when vacationing here.
Moreover, the beaches are remarkably clean, just like ‘Maz’ not nearly as popular like busy Cancun.
If you’re looking for charming coastal areas to soak up the Mexican sun, the Golden Zone and Cerritos should be at the top of your bucket list.
This time of year is teeming with sunbathers and swimmers, offering foreign visitors a lively social scene, as well as a high concentration of beachside restaurants, with the best seafood you’ll ever have, and relatively affordable apartments.
Besides being sargassum-free, Mazatlan’s true charm lies in its blend Modern and ancient worlds: the historic center is dominated by colorful colonial-era buildings dating back centuries, but the beach is lined by high-rises and Mexico’s usual palm trees Malecon.
Puerto Vallarta
Our third choice is, surprisingly, another Pacific gem: Puerto Vallarta zero sargassum this summer.
On the other hand, it is buzzing with life and activity, with trendy bars overflowing with young, fun tourists, and a luxurious, well-attended boardwalk leading to one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.
The heart of the city is bohemian Zona Romanticawhere most of the nightlife and winding cobbled streets are, as well as the beautiful traditional architectural and monumental buildings, such as the beautiful Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Beaches in PV (as it’s known in the short term) may be protected from the invading seaweed, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely serene.
Beach conditions can vary from day to day, with one day being perfect and the next day having undertows that wash you away. Travelers are urged to do this more careful when swimming in the area, as there can be strong undercurrents.
Unfortunately, there have been some casualties recently, mainly tourists who are not fully aware of the risks, or who choose to ignore the black and red flags on the sand.
Read more about the risks and how you can improve your safety on local PV beaches here.
Isla Mujeres
We know what you’re thinking.
Isla Mujeres is a Caribbean destination, so it cannot possibly be free of sargassum at the height of seaweed season, when the Caribbean is the worst affected sea… right?
We’re happy to report that this is a common misconception, because despite the long-standing problem in the Caribbean with the smelly algae, Isla Mujeres in particular has been largely cordoned off due to its strategic geographic location.
Much of the sargassum plaguing the mainland coast will do so as well generally missing Mujeres especially, because the ocean currents that pass the island do not carry the seaweed away, the small amount that does come ashore is a lot less noticeable.
Furthermore, Isla Mujeres is a small island, only 7km long and 650m wide, meaning the beaches don’t stretch for miles as far as the eye can see, and there isn’t much cleaning to do every morning after any temperate night. arrival of sargassum.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
