Mexican Law Prohibits....

[Indigo]

While doing my research on which destination location (Ocho Rios or Cancun) to choose, I ran across the following info on a Cancun website:

 

"Mexican law prohibits the following practices: touching animals or coral reefs, collecting rocks, sand, seashells or any natural object in the water or on the beach. Those violating these laws may be prosecuted."

 

I love collecting seashells at different beaches so I am SOOOOOO HAPPY I ran across this info.

 

Just FYI

[Martha]

oh, good to know! Thanks!

[Nrvsbride]

This is so weird. What do they mean by touching animals? What if you see a dog you can't pet it? Or do they mean touching animals from the sea or hurting them or something. Odd..

[Maura]

i have brought sand and shells back from mexico with no problems....

 

the reason behind not touching the coral reefs is because its a delicate ecosystem that is easily disrupted. but you certainly wont get prosecuted for it...

[Nrvsbride]

Oh so touching the coral reef I get. I guess I misread the law. I thought they meant any animal in general. Hehe. Sorry I'm having a blonde moment with my black hair.

[dragonfly]

Not touching coral reefs is a given no matter wher in the carribbean you go. I don't think they are going to cart you off to jail, if you are on the beach collecting sea shells, lol. We always bring sand back from where ever we go and the kids definitely brought back their fair share of sea shells. I think the laws are in place for the extreme cases. It is also know that we are not suppose to bring any of this stuff out of the country again no matter what country it is, so be prepared to have it taken from you if they find it.

[DreaW]

They are talking about when you go snorkling or diving not when you are walking the beach and you pick up a sand shell.

[Mrs D To Be!]

Very strange! But thanks for posted...its noted!!!

[Ashlyn]

When I went to the Dominican they told us not to buy anything that came from the ocean (starfish, coral, seashells) because Canada at least is trying to stop people from bringing stuff back, because a lot of people in these locales are about killing things/ruining the ecosystem without thinking of the consequences, just to sell to tourists. I think it depends which custom people you get on the way back, but you may run into some trouble...

[dragonfly]

I think the point is most places in the caribbean have rules in place, and most countries also have their rules in place for bring back things from the caribbean. I wouldn't let this law dictate where you get married, many other things, but not this.