Cuale Beach, located in downtown Puerto Vallarta, was classified as unsuitable for recreational use during the 2026 summer holiday season after water quality monitoring by the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) detected contamination levels exceeding permissible limits.
According to the study—conducted between June 15 and July 1—health authorities assessed water quality at 289 beaches across 76 tourist destinations in 17 of the country’s coastal states.
The analysis revealed that 284 beaches—representing 98.3 percent of the total—met the microbiological standards established by the World Health Organization (WHO) for primary-contact recreational activities.
However, five beaches exceeded the permissible limit of 200 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, deeming them unsuitable for swimmers. These include Cuale Beach in Puerto Vallarta, as well as Tijuana Beach in Baja California, Principal Beach in Puerto Escondido (Oaxaca), and José Martí and Tumbao beaches in Veracruz.
Cofepris reported that, in coordination with state sanitary risk protection agencies, the National Network of State Public Health Laboratories, and Clean Beach Committees, sanitation efforts and preventive measures are already underway to reduce contamination levels at these locations.
In light of this situation, health authorities advised tourists and residents to avoid entering the sea or engaging in recreational activities involving direct water contact at Cuale Beach while this classification remains in effect, in order to prevent potential health risks.
The agency stated that it would continue water quality monitoring and remediation efforts to ensure safe conditions throughout the holiday period. It is worth noting that the other Puerto Vallarta beaches evaluated by the health authority do meet the established criteria and remain suitable for recreational use during the summer of 2026.
Source: traficozmg
