As summer begins in Cartagena, the usual vibrancy of its beaches is noticeably absent. The iconic beach bars, or chiringuitos, which often line the coast, have remained mostly closed, leading to frustration among locals and confusion among tourists. The Cartagena City Council is addressing this issue by reopening the tender process for six beach bars that have faced delays due to technical problems and previous unsuccessful bids. The tender, with a fee of just under four thousand seven hundred and fifty Euro, will be valid through the twenty twenty-five season.

Although the reopening of the tender process provides hope for these beach bars, a broader problem persists. This summer, thirty-three lots were offered for tender across the municipality, but many have yet to become operational. The delays stem from complicated regulations enforced by the Coastal Authority, which many prospective beach bar owners have found difficult to navigate. This lack of clarity has left empty spaces on the beaches traditionally bustling with activity.

Manuel Torres, a spokesperson for the Socialist Party in Cartagena, is advocating for a municipal Coastal Development Plan. He asserts that a well-defined framework is needed to guide beach bar operations, ensuring environmental protection while allowing business owners to understand the rules. Torres states, “We’ve lost five years”, highlighting the impact of ongoing uncertainty on the summer season. While Torres’s proposal may not resolve the immediate issue, it aims to prevent future operational delays.

As locals and business owners await the results of the tender, many are left wondering if this will be the turning point for Cartagena’s beach bars. For some chiringuito owners, who have made investments and prepared for the season, the ongoing closures pose a significant challenge. The City Council plans to debate Torres’s motion at the upcoming meeting, but until then, most beach bars remain shuttered, impacting the summer experience in Cartagena.