I was told (admittedly years ago) that all ocean beaches in Mexico are, by Mexican federal law, open to the public. But I was recently told that the Cancún resort "Dreams" maintains a private beach, and turns away anyone who tries to walk onto "their" beach.

I'm curious about this discrepancy. Does anyone know anything about it?

We were recently at the Club Méd in Cancún. People staying at other hotels often walked south onto the Club's beach, and nobody stopped them. The Club is on Punta Nizuc, at the extreme southern end of the Cancún barrier reef. One day, we walked north up the beach, and no hotel seemed to claim a private beach. We didn't walk the full 11 Km. to Dreams, which is at the northern end of the reef. I think that a walk that distance on the sand would have left me paralyzed.

- Larry

It is my understanding that all beaches in Mexico are federal property.

That is correct. All beaches are public; however, access from a public road thru private property can be a problem.

MY

All beaches are public as has been stated. Hotels can provide "private" space on areas of the beach that are up from the water front. The question always is; how far can that extend? Sometimes gaining access can be thru private property as Michelle pointed out and then the other issue of what exactly constitutes water front. There are lots of beach clubs that rent loungers or day beds, provide a bar and restaurant and other amenities but even those have beach space between the club and the water edge so any one can spread a towel or bring their own chair/umbrella. Sometimes it can be yards of space, sometimes only a few feet.

Thanks for the interesting answers. I also used http://maps.google com to zoom in on a satellite image of Dreams. The answer to my original discrepancy seems to be that the Dreams beach is isolated by their private property. It is not contiguous with any public beaches, so you can't walk onto the Dreams beach without passing over their private property.

I imagine that if you came up to the Dreams beach in a boat, you would have the right to use a section of the beach close to the water's edge. Legally, at least - I don't know if Dreams security would attempt to kick you out anyway.

- Larry