If you’re looking for a place to call your own, a beach house is a great choice. With its down-to-earth feel and casual atmosphere, a beach cottage is perfect for anyone who wants to escape the grind of city life. A beach cottage in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for example, is perfect for those who want a little slice of the beach life, with plenty of room and privacy. Whether you’re retiring, trying to spend more time with the family or just want a special place for an intimate retreat, a beach cottage offers everything you need.
Beach Cottage Elements A great place to start with is the beach itself. Look for sand that is as near shoreline as possible; Mexico beach bars and resorts often have a limited amount of beach space, so having as much beach area as possible is optimal. The colors will also be brighter and lighter than at other beaches, and there will likely be plenty of different materials to choose from as well. Consider whether you want an open or closed beach, whether you prefer to have surf or a calmer ocean, and if you’d like to have beach bars, water sports, or shops set up along your beach.
Waves and Erosion There are many good arguments against having a beach on a coastal area. First, too much sea salt, sand, or erosion can damage the ecosystem by thinning the beaches and washing away parts of the sand. It can also hurt wildlife and sometimes human life, especially if sea animals cannot get into the area. On the flip side, wave power is another huge consideration. Sea waves can wash beach debris into the sea, creating larger holes in the sand and eroding the rocks.
Coastal erosion is perhaps the biggest threat to beaches around the world. Rapid melting and rising sea levels can cause beaches to erode away for many years. Sea level rise is probably one of the greatest threats to beaches and natural habitats. Rapid melting of the ice caps and icebergs poses a greater risk to coastal areas as well. All of these factors mean that sea levels won’t be able to return to previous values, which can severely damage ecosystems and beaches alike.
If sea levels rise enough to take out parts of your island, it can be devastating. Damage can be caused by tidal waves during high tide, which can erode beaches and cause erosion at multiple locations. In addition, storm surges can cause erosion at the shoreline, damaging houses, businesses, and other coastal infrastructure.
Stormy Weather Many locations have seen increases in both hurricanes and typhoons since the 1970s. Since winds blow across the ocean, they also move across the beach, creating waves. When there are strong winds, the waves can reach higher into the sand, which can create beach damage. However, most storms do not have enough power to create large waves, so some beaches may not be damaged at all. If the storms are powerful enough to generate strong waves, then your best bet for beach survival is to make sure your hotel is directly on the beach, in a safe spot, or on higher ground.