🌊 One Ton of Trash Removed from Boca de Tomates Beach
If you spend time north of the airport or visit Boca de Tomates, this is worth knowing.
Mexico’s Navy (12th Naval Zone), working with state and municipal partners, has removed about one metric ton (1,000 kg) of inorganic waste from Boca de Tomates beach. The cleanup was completed in recent days and reported on February 6.
What was removed
• ~500 kg of plastic containers
• ~300 kg of glass and aluminum
• ~198 kg of discarded fishing gear (nets and lines)
• Smaller amounts of cigarette butts and mixed waste
All of the waste was transported to Puerto Vallarta’s municipal landfill.
Why Boca de Tomates is especially vulnerable
This beach sits near the mouth of the Ameca River, close to mangroves, a sea turtle camp, and bird habitats. After heavy rains, debris from streets, arroyos, and upstream areas often ends up here. Fishing gear and plastics are especially harmful because they can continue trapping wildlife long after being discarded.
Boca de Tomates is also a popular spot for:
• Seafood ramadas
• Weekend family visits
• Kitesurfing and birdwatching
• Walking access from the north end of Marina Vallarta at low tide
The bigger picture
This cleanup is part of a national beach and coastline conservation campaign running through 2030, but Boca de Tomates has needed repeated cleanups over the years. After storms in mid-2025, roughly two tons of trash were removed from the same area.
Cleanups help, but they also highlight an upstream issue: much of this waste starts inland and washes down during rains.
Why this matters to expats
A cleaner beach means:
• Safer spaces for kids, dogs, and families
• Better protection for wildlife
• A stronger image for Vallarta during high season
• Less long-term damage to the bay
Small habits still matter — taking trash back out, avoiding single-use plastics, and keeping local drains clear all reduce what ends up on the shoreline.
💬 Question for the group:
Do you think enough is being done upstream to prevent this trash from reaching beaches like Boca de Tomates, or does Vallarta need stronger local enforcement?
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🌊 One Ton of Trash Removed from Boca de Tomates Beach
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