Tijuana’s Municipal Civil Protection Directorate began inspecting pools and water parks on March 31 as part of a “Safer Vacations” operation ahead of the Semana Santa holiday week. At least four facilities passed inspection on the first day and received official “Zona Segura” (Safe Zone) stickers certifying their compliance with safety standards.
Civil Protection Director José Luis Jiménez González said the inspections check for certified lifeguards, proper signage, first aid kits, and posted capacity limits. Facilities that meet all requirements receive a visible sticker at their entrance. Those that fail face fines or forced closure.
What the Zona Segura Sticker Means
The sticker program gives visitors a quick way to verify that a pool or water park has been vetted by city officials. Jiménez González urged the public to look for the sticker before entering any aquatic facility and to call 9-1-1 to report safety concerns at locations that lack one.
The city announced the inspection operation on March 19, noting that Civil Protection staff and the Tijuana Fire Department would also monitor local reservoirs such as the Abelardo L. Rodríguez Dam. Authorities plan to prevent swimmers from entering reservoir water, which is not designated for recreational use.
Broader Holiday Safety Efforts in Tijuana
The pool inspections are one piece of a wider Semana Santa safety push in Tijuana. The city’s Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana Municipal (SSPCM) deployed extra police patrols to neighborhoods and tourist zones starting March 30. Federal, state, and municipal agencies are coordinating throughout the week.
Separately, the federal health agency COFEPRIS (Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios) flagged three Tijuana beaches as unsafe for swimming due to high bacteria levels from fecal contamination: San Antonio del Mar, Playa Blanca, and Baja Malibú. Visitors planning beach trips should check the latest COFEPRIS advisories before heading out.
Tijuana’s popular water parks, including Albercas El Vergel in the eastern part of the city, typically draw large crowds during the holiday break. The Zona Segura program is designed to ensure those crowds encounter proper safety measures on site.
Originally reported by Punto Norte.