Mexico City creates own tropical getaways

MEXICO CITY, March 22 (UPI) -- Officials in Mexico City have found a way to provide a tropical lifestyle for residents despite being nearly 170 miles from the coast: fake beaches.

By bringing in tons of sand and palm trees to area swimming pools, Mexico City officials have built 10 artificial beaches in the city as a relaxation option for people with an open imagination, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

Resident Sabino Deloya Cortes said the make-shift beaches, with their beach chairs and umbrellas, give those unable to travel to more desirable locations a second chance at spring break.

"It's summertime in the middle of the Federal District," Cortes said. "It's for families who can't go to Acapulco, who can't go to Cancun."

While creating the fake beaches was not an inexpensive affair for public officials, the Times said the tropical sites have been an unequivocal success to date.

The newspaper said during the first five days of their existence, the beaches drew a total of more than 70,000 visitors.