Cancun visit overview report

**Mindbender** · 12-10-2005

I not sure how may of you are dipping into the Wilma thread now, so I've put this in 'general' as I hope it is of interest.

We've just been up to Cancun today for a look at the hotel zone, beaches and other things. Signs of damage and uncleared debris are still evident. The trees and jungle got hit much harder than Playa.

(By the way, please don't ask me any specific questions about hotels, bars, etc, and if you try anyway, don't think I'm rude by not replying as all I can say is here).

In the town centre the tourist area was looking alright and Christmassy. While not busy, it had a reasonable amount of people milling about. Playa is much busier though. The craft/souvenir market at Manzana 28 was fairly quiet. I had my shoes cleaned 5 times, bought a forest of roses and listened to La Bamba 20 times to help the local economy.

On the strip they're still tidying up, replanting palms, painting and rebuilding in many places. We saw many hotels and shops closed for repair. One was even having a wing demolished. Windows on some of the tall building still needed replacing. Others were open for business with all the Xmas lights on and new trees planted. La Isla shopping centre is closed and teeming with builders. It lost all of the tent like roofs. So generally the original mess must have been much worse than Playa for them to be at this stage after several weeks. The touristic zone is quiet, although has some tourists about. The golf courses are in good condition but the palms look sorry for themselves.

They've clearly been working very hard to sort it out and many buildings are looking very smart with bright new paintwork but there are still others that need major repairs and many of the palms that survived need regrowth. Some of the hotels are actually new and are still under construction.

We stopped to look at the beaches at two different points. More northerly was hit hard with a lot of sand lost and bedrock exposed. To the south some beach has been lost and some bedrock exposed. I must stress that I can't speak for the entire strip of beaches ONLY just the two areas we saw. The colour and clarity of the sea is still great. The government beach replenishing project is already underway which is excellent news.

Playa got lucky and has nothing to complain about in comparison. On the whole Cancun zone is not destroyed as wildly reported. There have been some heavy casualties and very healthy survivors. It will take a while yet to completely repair the worst parts though. But with new palms going in, quick regrowth, concentrating on the positive aspects, good amigos and a few tequilas inside you perhaps you'll forgive and sympathise any shortcomings

dibiggs · 12-10-2005

Thanks for this info.We did not stop in Cancun when we were there 2 weeks ago but as you drive up the highway you could definitely tell that Cancun was hit a lot harder than Playa.
It has to be very tough on these people depending on tourism.......we wish them well & a speedy recovery.

**Susie Q Roo** · 12-11-2005

Yes, I was up there last week myself, MB, and surprised to see very little visible change in the hotel zone from 3 or so weeks before. The big story HAD been that the strip would be hopping again for the Christmas season. I'm guessing that optimism has changed. If more than a handful of hotels are open by the end of this month, I'd be surprised. I was still just amazed (as I had been the first time) how much glass is missing in SO many places. Getting all those reconstruction materials in, in such HUGE quantities, must just be a logistical nightmare. In town, major intersections are still without traffic lights and other "normalities."

It still just makes me very sad.

Michael · 12-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

surprised to see very little visible change in the hotel zone from 3 or so weeks before.

Yes I was very disheartened to see that.

Without Cancun, we don’t have the flights we need from the US.

My last flight in on American was completely full, but the crew told me that no additional flights were planned until the hotel under contract for lay-overs was repaired. Obviously far from an official statement but still very disappointing to hear.

I’m going to try to get back on America West’s very first commercial flight into CUN since Wilma.
Does anyone have a list of things to do in Pheonix, in the event that we celebrate Christmas there instead?

**Susie Q Roo** · 12-11-2005

Yep, my flight in on Delta was also packed. Surely the powers that be can see that we still need those flights... the Omni must be completely filled with airline crews, though.

**Mindbender** · 12-11-2005

Also Office World has just reopened if you're interested. They are still finishing repairs and stocking the shelves.

You can still go there and have a better holiday than staying in a miserable, dark, cold wet place in the winter though! However if I was being completely selfish I'd be glad to be transferred to Playa while they're still sorting themselves out.

Having re-read it, I do mean the touristic areas not Office World

Life_N_Cancun · 12-11-2005

A few caveats, there were a number of hotels in the zone that we still under construction or being added to/renovated when Wilma hit, including La Isla, and Kulculcan shopping malls. I have seen on several websites and even on some news reports where they are showing some hotels that “were absolutely destroyed” when in fact they look about as the did before the storm, incomplete. That being said, there was damage, the biggest thing is the nakedness of the trees, (which is going away as greens comes back), along with several thousand broken windows. As to why the Hotel Zone isn’t getting opened back up as quickly as expected, I have heard several things. Firstly, many of the hotels are taking this time to renovate or add-on, delaying the reopening. Some are realizing after re-reading their insurance contracts that they will be REEMBERSED which means they first have to get the money and pay for the repairs themselves, which is hurting some of the “smaller” operations. Also, a few of the hotels have decided its smarter to demolish the hotels in favor of building new ones, with the help of insurance moneys. Plus, the government has been slow to release the permits needed to do some of the things the hotels want to do. The beach is nearly gone at some places in the zone, but is doing fine or bigger than before in others. Those hotels without beach are already getting it rebuilt thanks to a government sponsored beach replenishment project. Downtown is about 90% in my estimation, there are still a few places that are being fixed or rebuilt, but everyplace I frequent seems to be back to normal.

**Mindbender** · 12-11-2005

Thanks for the additions Life N Cancun. I will mentioned and edit that some hotels were actually already under construction and the beaches are already being replenished on the first page.

We understood that Fox released the money to local government very early on. Unfortunately the local chaps, as you mention, have been slowing the process. Didn't one of them get sacked for irregularities?

paul777 · 12-11-2005

Great report! We noticed on our inbound flight it almost looked like late fall in Michigan around Cancun with all the leaves gone. There seemed to be a lot more growth as we drove south to Playa Del Carmen

Life_N_Cancun · 12-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindbender

Didn't one of them get sacked for irregularities?

Well, that previous “mayor” Chacho is in jail at the moment for his uhmm….misplacing… of about 10 million bucks.

Did you hear about the new “hurricane resistant traffic lights” they are putting in the hotel zone. $170,000 pesos EACH!!!!! When I first heard that amount I thought it was just a stupid government decision to pay wayyyyyy too much for “resistant” (whatever that’s supposed to mean) traffic lights. I was saying to my friend, why not just replace them with normal lights and spend the $160,000 pesos difference for each one on something else more worthwhile? But, then he explained to me, that there is no way they really cost that much, and that more than likely, someone along the way is lining their pockets in the transaction. He, didn’t seem at all upset about it, just stated it calmly, as its just a fact of life in Mexico. Speaking of other irregularities. I’ve noticed a few, “hotel furniture” sales around town. Me thinks, the hotels told the insurance companies that it was all ruined in the storm and that it was being thrown away, while in reality its being sold for a tidy profit and the insurance buys all new stuff for the hotels. But, hey wadayagunado?

Michael · 12-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Life_N_Cancun

I’ve noticed a few, “hotel furniture” sales around town.

If the sales are still on? Can you send me a PM with instructions as to how to find them? We'll be in CUN this weekend and we are looking for furniture.

myhappyplace2 · 12-11-2005

I'll hook you up with my brother if you get stuck! They really know how to do up Christmas!

Vikki

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelholmes

Yes I was very disheartened to see that.

Without Cancun, we don’t have the flights we need from the US.

My last flight in on American was completely full, but the crew told me that no additional flights were planned until the hotel under contract for lay-overs was repaired. Obviously far from an official statement but still very disappointing to hear.

I’m going to try to get back on America West’s very first commercial flight into CUN since Wilma.
Does anyone have a list of things to do in Pheonix, in the event that we celebrate Christmas there instead?

babs31 · 12-11-2005

Does anyone have a list of things to do in Pheonix, in the event that we celebrate Christmas there instead?

[/quote]

Having lived in Phoenix for many years, what would I do if I were entertaining your family? I would drive up camelback mountain at night to see the lights of the city. Sedona to the north is an easy day trip. (land of the red rock) I cant say I have been there in the winter time though. It is about an hour north. Oak creek is also up in that area. Check out Scottsdale for shopping. There is the Phoenix Zoo, The phoenix museum , The capitol is downtown with statues and such on the grounds. also I found this for you

http://phoenix.about.com/cs/events/a/festivals12.htm

Babs

Michael · 12-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by babs31

Having lived in Phoenix for many years, what would I do if I were entertaining your family? I would drive up camelback mountain at night to see the lights of the city. Sedona to the north is an easy day trip. (land of the red rock) I cant say I have been there in the winter time though. It is about an hour north. Oak creek is also up in that area. Check out Scottsdale for shopping. There is the Phoenix Zoo, The phoenix museum , The capitol is downtown with statues and such on the grounds. also I found this for you

http://phoenix.about.com/cs/events/a/festivals12.htm

Babs

I do so very much hope I'm not stranded in Phoenix looking for this post and Vikki's brother's phone number. I do have all kinds of great promises from America West. Fingers crossed and hoping thier first flight to CUN takes off on the scheduled day.

Mikey · 12-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelholmes

I do so very much hope I'm not standed in Phoenix looking for this post and Vikki's brother's phone number. I do have all kinds of great promises from America West. Fingers crossed and hoping thier first flight to CUN takes off on the scheduled day.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you as well.....

12-10-2005	#1 (permalink)
Mindbender Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 3,094	Cancun visit overview report I not sure how may of you are dipping into the Wilma thread now, so I've put this in 'general' as I hope it is of interest. We've just been up to Cancun today for a look at the hotel zone, beaches and other things. Signs of damage and uncleared debris are still evident. The trees and jungle got hit much harder than Playa. (By the way, please don't ask me any specific questions about hotels, bars, etc, and if you try anyway, don't think I'm rude by not replying as all I can say is here). In the town centre the tourist area was looking alright and Christmassy. While not busy, it had a reasonable amount of people milling about. Playa is much busier though. The craft/souvenir market at Manzana 28 was fairly quiet. I had my shoes cleaned 5 times, bought a forest of roses and listened to La Bamba 20 times to help the local economy. On the strip they're still tidying up, replanting palms, painting and rebuilding in many places. We saw many hotels and shops closed for repair. One was even having a wing demolished. Windows on some of the tall building still needed replacing. Others were open for business with all the Xmas lights on and new trees planted. La Isla shopping centre is closed and teeming with builders. It lost all of the tent like roofs. So generally the original mess must have been much worse than Playa for them to be at this stage after several weeks. The touristic zone is quiet, although has some tourists about. The golf courses are in good condition but the palms look sorry for themselves. They've clearly been working very hard to sort it out and many buildings are looking very smart with bright new paintwork but there are still others that need major repairs and many of the palms that survived need regrowth. Some of the hotels are actually new and are still under construction. We stopped to look at the beaches at two different points. More northerly was hit hard with a lot of sand lost and bedrock exposed. To the south some beach has been lost and some bedrock exposed. I must stress that I can't speak for the entire strip of beaches ONLY just the two areas we saw. The colour and clarity of the sea is still great. The government beach replenishing project is already underway which is excellent news. Playa got lucky and has nothing to complain about in comparison. On the whole Cancun zone is not destroyed as wildly reported. There have been some heavy casualties and very healthy survivors. It will take a while yet to completely repair the worst parts though. But with new palms going in, quick regrowth, concentrating on the positive aspects, good amigos and a few tequilas inside you perhaps you'll forgive and sympathise any shortcomings Last edited by Mindbender : 12-11-2005 at 01:37 PM.

12-10-2005	#2 (permalink)
dibiggs beachaholic Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 422	Gracias Thanks for this info.We did not stop in Cancun when we were there 2 weeks ago but as you drive up the highway you could definitely tell that Cancun was hit a lot harder than Playa. It has to be very tough on these people depending on tourism.......we wish them well & a speedy recovery.

12-11-2005	#6 (permalink)
Mindbender Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 3,094	Also Office World has just reopened if you're interested. They are still finishing repairs and stocking the shelves. You can still go there and have a better holiday than staying in a miserable, dark, cold wet place in the winter though! However if I was being completely selfish I'd be glad to be transferred to Playa while they're still sorting themselves out. Having re-read it, I do mean the touristic areas not Office World Last edited by Mindbender : 12-11-2005 at 12:26 PM.

12-11-2005	#9 (permalink)
paul777 way into it Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Jackson Michigan Posts: 144	Vegetation Great report! We noticed on our inbound flight it almost looked like late fall in Michigan around Cancun with all the leaves gone. There seemed to be a lot more growth as we drove south to Playa Del Carmen

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12-11-2005	#3 (permalink)
Susie Q Roo paradisiac Join Date: May 2003 Location: Q Roo Posts: 10,531	Yes, I was up there last week myself, MB, and surprised to see very little visible change in the hotel zone from 3 or so weeks before. The big story HAD been that the strip would be hopping again for the Christmas season. I'm guessing that optimism has changed. If more than a handful of hotels are open by the end of this month, I'd be surprised. I was still just amazed (as I had been the first time) how much glass is missing in SO many places. Getting all those reconstruction materials in, in such HUGE quantities, must just be a logistical nightmare. In town, major intersections are still without traffic lights and other "normalities." It still just makes me very sad.

12-11-2005	#5 (permalink)
Susie Q Roo paradisiac Join Date: May 2003 Location: Q Roo Posts: 10,531	Yep, my flight in on Delta was also packed. Surely the powers that be can see that we still need those flights... the Omni must be completely filled with airline crews, though.

12-11-2005	#7 (permalink)
Life_N_Cancun life=playa Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cancún, Mexico Posts: 530	A few caveats, there were a number of hotels in the zone that we still under construction or being added to/renovated when Wilma hit, including La Isla, and Kulculcan shopping malls. I have seen on several websites and even on some news reports where they are showing some hotels that “were absolutely destroyed” when in fact they look about as the did before the storm, incomplete. That being said, there was damage, the biggest thing is the nakedness of the trees, (which is going away as greens comes back), along with several thousand broken windows. As to why the Hotel Zone isn’t getting opened back up as quickly as expected, I have heard several things. Firstly, many of the hotels are taking this time to renovate or add-on, delaying the reopening. Some are realizing after re-reading their insurance contracts that they will be REEMBERSED which means they first have to get the money and pay for the repairs themselves, which is hurting some of the “smaller” operations. Also, a few of the hotels have decided its smarter to demolish the hotels in favor of building new ones, with the help of insurance moneys. Plus, the government has been slow to release the permits needed to do some of the things the hotels want to do. The beach is nearly gone at some places in the zone, but is doing fine or bigger than before in others. Those hotels without beach are already getting it rebuilt thanks to a government sponsored beach replenishment project. Downtown is about 90% in my estimation, there are still a few places that are being fixed or rebuilt, but everyplace I frequent seems to be back to normal.

12-11-2005	#8 (permalink)
Mindbender Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 3,094	Thanks for the additions Life N Cancun. I will mentioned and edit that some hotels were actually already under construction and the beaches are already being replenished on the first page. We understood that Fox released the money to local government very early on. Unfortunately the local chaps, as you mention, have been slowing the process. Didn't one of them get sacked for irregularities?

12-11-2005	#13 (permalink)
babs31 life=playa Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: south of Green Bay Posts: 849	Does anyone have a list of things to do in Pheonix, in the event that we celebrate Christmas there instead? [/quote] Having lived in Phoenix for many years, what would I do if I were entertaining your family? I would drive up camelback mountain at night to see the lights of the city. Sedona to the north is an easy day trip. (land of the red rock) I cant say I have been there in the winter time though. It is about an hour north. Oak creek is also up in that area. Check out Scottsdale for shopping. There is the Phoenix Zoo, The phoenix museum , The capitol is downtown with statues and such on the grounds. also I found this for you http://phoenix.about.com/cs/events/a/festivals12.htm Babs

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