The citizens of Mexico City who cannot afford to travel to seaside resorts like Cancun or Acapulco have seen the beach brought to them. The first of four planned artificial beaches opened last week in the pollution-choked center of town, sparking some controversy. Many think that the money spent to ship the sand to the Mexican capital should have instead been invested in the fight against crime and poverty. However, millions of Capitalinos are already swarming to this unexpected urban beach.

The Mexico City mayor’s plan to build four beaches in this smoggy mountain capital has been lampooned as a joke and a waste of money by Mexico’s rich, who spend their vacations at real beachside resorts.

Source: CNN