Activists rally to stop luxury project on Yucatán dunes

Activists have rallied to halt a proposed luxury real estate development along a protected beach community in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, citing detrimental impacts on their communities and the environment. The Las Dunas tourist complex, encompassing 92,000 square meters, includes more than 70 apartments spread across six towers and is planned near Mérida, the state capital of Yucatán.

The project, which activists argue ignores pressing local issues, will have significant economic and environmental impacts. The site was initially denied by Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in December 2023 due to its high vulnerability, but it was approved in April 2025 after adjustments. Activists, including the local environmental group Salvemos las Dunas, have launched petitions and organized protests, highlighting the area’s ecological importance and the need for responsible development.

The dunes are home to endangered wildlife species, such as the Mexican sheartail hummingbird and the hawksbill sea turtle, and serve as a natural protector against storms. Despite the outcry, the project remains stalled pending further verification of compliance with environmental regulations.