Introduction and Relevance
The Mexican Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (COFEPRIS) have launched the Playas MX app to provide real-time water quality information for recreational beaches across Mexico. This free application, available on iOS and Android systems, allows users to access monitoring results for 289 beaches in 76 tourist destinations across the 17 coastal states.
How Playas MX Works
Playas MX displays up-to-date results from water samples collected by COFEPRIS and state governments at strategic points along the beaches. This information empowers both tourists and residents to make informed decisions about swimming or vacationing at the coast, ensuring they choose beaches that meet recreational water quality standards.
During the summer of 2025, 94.46% of evaluated beaches yielded optimal results for recreational activities, based on the analysis of 2,355 samples from 393 sampling points. This data is now accessible through the Playas MX app.
A Tool for Health and Environment
The app’s presentation was led by Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, the Environment Secretary, and Armida Zúñiga Estrada, the Federal Commissioner of COFEPRIS. Both emphasized that this digital tool is crucial for ensuring the right to a healthy environment.
Mexico boasts 12,000 kilometers of coastline and 3 million square kilometers of maritime surface area, constituting 62% of the nation’s territory. Playas MX helps protect this natural heritage and ensures Mexicans’ right to information, stated Bárcena Ibarra.
Zúñiga Estrada highlighted that the app also addresses the need to modernize regulatory systems using digital technologies. “We make it easier for the public to access information that safeguards their health and encourages responsible decision-making,” she noted.
Beyond Monitoring: The Call for Collective Responsibility
The Playas MX launch reiterated the call for the public to maintain clean beaches during the vacation season. “Preserving our clean beaches is a collective responsibility,” emphasized the authorities.
Playas MX serves not only as a useful tool for tourists but also as an instrument of environmental transparency, public health, and citizen participation.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Playas MX? Playas MX is a free mobile application that provides real-time water quality information for recreational beaches in Mexico.
- What platforms is Playas MX available on? The app is available for free on iOS and Android systems.
- Where can I download Playas MX? The app is available in mobile application stores.
- Which beaches does Playas MX cover? The app covers 289 beaches in 76 tourist destinations across 17 coastal states in Mexico.
- How often is the data updated? The data is updated each vacation season.
