Cancún Removes 48 Billboards in Urban Cleanup Campaign

Local authorities crack down on unpermitted advertising structures across resort city

Billboards in Cancún have done nothing to beautify Mexico’s busiest resort. Illegal ones only make things worse.

Officials announced this week that authorities in Cancún have removed 48 billboard advertisements from city streets during the current municipal administration. The latest takedown occurred July 24, when crews dismantled a large structure on Avenida Chac Mool and Calle 44 in Región 100, according to local media reports.

The removal campaign targets illegal advertising structures and aims to improve the city’s visual landscape. Margarita Concepción Jiménez Bonifaz, director of Urban Image and Public Roads for Benito Juárez Municipality, said the operation reflects ongoing efforts to clean up the resort destination’s appearance.

“We conduct these operations constantly,” said Ana Patricia Peralta de la Peña, municipal president of Benito Juárez. “We’re always reviewing structures and any type of billboard that doesn’t comply with permits, whether they’re on public roads or private property.”

Safety concerns drive enforcement

The billboard removal effort spans multiple areas of the city. Of the 48 structures removed, 23 were located in various city neighborhoods and one in the hotel zone. The remaining 25 stood along Boulevard Luis Donaldo Colosio, a major thoroughfare stretching approximately 12 miles (19.3 kilometers) through the metropolitan area.

Officials cite three primary reasons for the removals: improving urban image in oversaturated areas, lack of proper permits, and safety risks posed by deteriorating structures. The July 24 operation required coordination between Civil Protection, Urban Image and Public Roads, and Municipal Security and Transit departments. Crews established safety perimeters while cranes dismantled the billboard frame.

Similar enforcement efforts have emerged across Mexico as cities grapple with billboard regulation challenges. Mexico City banned new billboard installations in 2019 after an 18-meter (59-foot) structure collapsed and injured four people. The incident prompted Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum to launch proceedings against 40 billboards citywide.

Regulatory framework evolving

Mexico’s advertising landscape operates under multiple federal and state regulations. The Federal Consumer Protection Law governs advertising transparency, while local authorities control outdoor advertising placement and permits. Out-of-home advertising spending in Mexico reached $2.71 per capita in 2024, according to market research firm Statista.

The enforcement reflects broader urban development priorities in Quintana Roo’s tourist corridor. Cancún attracts millions of international visitors annually, particularly from the United States, making visual aesthetics crucial for the tourism-dependent economy. The city spans approximately 577 square miles (1,495 square kilometers) and houses over 900,000 residents.

Previous coverage by Yucatán Magazine explored advertising regulations affecting the tourism industry across the region. The publication has documented how coastal development pressures create conflicts between commercial interests and urban planning goals.

Ongoing cleanup efforts

Both Mayor Peralta and Director Jiménez confirmed the billboard removal program will continue. Officials said they prioritize public safety through structural inspections and remove advertising that poses risks to residents and visitors.

The enforcement affects an industry experiencing technological shifts toward digital displays. Traditional static billboards increasingly compete with interactive digital screens offering more flexibility for advertisers. However, all outdoor advertising formats require municipal permits regardless of technology.

Municipal authorities encourage advertising companies to work with the Urban Image department to ensure compliance before installing new structures. The city maintains standards for billboard size, placement, and structural integrity as part of broader urban development regulations.

The removal campaign demonstrates how Mexican municipalities balance commercial interests with urban planning objectives. Similar cleanup efforts in other tourist destinations suggest a regional trend toward stricter outdoor advertising oversight as cities seek to enhance their visual appeal for both residents and visitors.