MEXICO CITY: Mexicos Senate has voted to levy fines of up to $47,000 against hotels, restaurants or other property owners who restrict access to the countrys beaches.
The bill approved unanimously Tuesday also requires property owners to allow the public access through their lots to beaches that do not have access roads.
The bill now goes to the president for his approval. Mexicans have long been angered by private restaurants, clubs and hotels that erect barriers or employ guards to keep locals off their stretch of beach.
Federal law already states the public cannot be denied access to a space 20 meters inland from the high tide line, but some businesses mark off exclusive areas almost up to the waters edge. Business that repeatedly break the law could lose their permits to operate on any part of the beach.
Mexicans have long been angered by private restaurants, clubs and hotels that…