Sergio Carlo files complaint with Environment Ministry over Macao Beach access
Journalist Sergio Carlo has filed a formal complaint with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, alleging that the Dreams Macao Punta Cana hotel improperly restricted access to the public beach area at Macao Beach.
The complaint, which was also sent to the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR), the Higüey City Council and the Specialized Tourist Security Corps (CESTUR), calls for an investigation into claims that hotel staff asked beachgoers to move their umbrellas and belongings to make way for weddings and photo shoots.
According to Carlo, the incident occurred while he was using a public section of the beach. He said hotel employees requested that he relocate his umbrella, claiming the area needed to remain clear for a private event and citing hotel instructions, despite what he argues was the absence of any legal basis for such restrictions.
In his filing, Carlo cites Article 15 of the Dominican Constitution, Law 305-68 governing the 60-meter maritime zone, the General Environmental Law 64-00, a Constitutional Court ruling, and Environment Ministry Resolution 026/2025, arguing that beaches and the 60-meter maritime strip are public property with guaranteed free access.
He is asking authorities to investigate the allegations, halt any practices that restrict public access to the beach, conduct periodic inspections of the area in front of the hotel, and impose sanctions if violations are confirmed.
Good for him! It is about time. However, the money people won’t be happy.
I’m with Mikey. I understand the business side of the argument but people should be able to access and walk the beaches.
Bravo!
Resorts do not own the beaches. They act as they do own them, that they have license to manage them. Government is averse to giving direction to the country’s golden geese (the resorts) when they wrongly stray into the beaches.
I went through the same kind of experience. I was told by Hemingway staff on Juan Dolio beach that I was not allowed to use my little folding chair, that I had to sit on the ground (And I am not a spring chicken lol). And I was only 2 or 3 meters from the sea. So I went to the Juan Dolio Politour office (as I am a Canadian tourist retired in this beautiful country) and asked the police officer at reception if Hemingway was allowed to forbid me to use my beach chair in front of their resort, at a respectful distance from their installation. ”I thought there was a 60 meters public area from the sea, on all Dominican beaches”, I added! ”You are right”, the policeman replied. ”But there are two exceptions, for the Hemingway and the Marbella.” I’m not quite sure what to conclude from this explanation…
There are no exceptions. Yet, the Politour (sic) action speaks for itself, that gov. is averse to giving direction to resorts