The Riviera Maya region of Mexico has made it clear that electricity and running water have been restored to some parts of the region affected by Hurricane Emily.  Phone service is also returning to normal operations, however it is still limited.  There were no reports of loss of life owing to the might of Hurricane Emily.  In addition, the region’s main airport, Cancun International Airport, is fully operational and roads are traversable, with good road conditions on the highways connecting Cancun to Tulum. Nearly all shops and restaurants in Playa del Carmen are open and welcoming business.

The much revered Xel-Ha eco-park reported no significant damage, but will close for
clean-up reopening on July 23. Xcaret reported no loss of fauna, but has closed and has yet to announce a reopening date. While many hotels are operational
and accepting guests, some hotels have closed in order to restore their facilities and services, mainly in the areas of Puerto Aventuras and Tulum.

To best assess damages, the Riviera Maya Tourism Board has joined forces with other state and local authorities to accurately assess the status of area hotels following Hurricane Emily. Seven teams were dispatched yesterday to visit all properties in the region to evaluate material damages and gather statistics. Based on this research, an
action plan will be presented and a list of hotels that are fully operational will be made available for tourists.

“We highly recommend anyone visiting the Riviera Maya in the coming weeks to check with their travel agent or contact their hotel directly prior to departure to avoid any inconvenience,” said Mr. Dario Flota, General Director of Tourism for the Riviera Maya.

“We are still in the process of assessing damages, however recovery initiatives are progressing well and tourists at this very moment are enjoying our beautiful beaches.”

All efforts continue to be made to restore electricity and running water to affected areas as quickly as possible. Bottled water, food and other vital provisions remain well-stocked and continue to be distributed to those in need.

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