Over a month after the boatmen blocked the access road to this Río Lagartos in protest against the drastic measures applied by the port captain, they are now working without any problem after the federal agency and the National Areas Commission Naturales Protegidas (Conanp) gave them three months to put their documents in order as providers of tourist services.
However, they affirm that they are now affected by the low arrival of tourists who require boat rides through the attractions of this port since they hardly manage to make a trip a day, and sometimes not everyone has that opportunity.
One of the requests from the port captain and Conanp to grant the extension was that they remove themselves from the entrance where they harass tourists who arrive in private vehicles.
But not everyone abides by the measure because every day a group remains at the entrance to this port to offer their boat ride services.
There had already been complaints about this practice that many visitors consider annoying, so the authorities tried to prevent harassment, but it was difficult.
The boat drivers indicated that the majority of tourists arrive in vehicles from agencies that sell them packages that include boat rides, so they are forced to go out to look for those who arrive in private cars.
Those interviewed stated that for the moment they are working without so much pressure and trying to comply with all the security measures requested by the port captain, while they carry out the procedures to have their permits in order.
At least on Sunday, May 5, the arrival of walkers in search of boats to go to the “Mayan bath” or to watch the birds that live in the protected area was scarce, and it has been that way for weeks, the boatmen lamented.
TYT Newsroom
