Hurricane Dean Heading Toward Mexico’s Riviera Maya*
Travel Blog • Jim Benning • 08.20.07 | 4:40 PM ET
Experts say Hurricane Dean, now a Category 4 storm, could grow even stronger as it barrels toward Mexico’s Riviera Maya (pictured), where it’s expected to make landfall early Tuesday morning. According to the AP, tens of thousands of tourists are rushing to leave: “Cancun seemed likely to be spared a direct hit, but visitors abandoned its swank hotels to swarm outbound flights. Officials evacuated more rustic lodgings farther south.” How powerful is the storm? Meteorologists say Dean could become even stronger than Hurricane Wilma, which pounded the region in 2005 and prompted a Web site covering its tourism recovery, After Wilma. One travel blogger wrote today on the Hurricane Cancun blog that Cancun was “very quiet with few tourists around”—the proverbial calm before the storm.
* Update: Hurricane Dean has made landfall on the Mexican Coast Near Majahual.
Photo by *Rachel*A* via Flickr, (Creative Commons).
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Jim Benning is the editor and co-founder of World Hum.
TambourineMan 08.21.07 | 2:11 AM ET
My heart breaks. In a few hours, Cat 5 Dean will devastate the Yucatan coast from the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve down to the Belize border. And I just heard the CNN weatherman say: “This is a pretty good place for Dean to hit.” Wrong, a-hole. This is a pristine, largely undeveloped coastline dotted with fishing villages and small independent hotels. Unlike a certain mega-resort-monstrosity I won’t name (Cancun) this area has healthy reefs (see Banco Chinchorro), irreplaceable archeological sites (see Chacchoben, Dzibanche, Kohunlich, Xpuhil) and wonderful people. It’s paradise. And this is a good place for Dean to hit? What a d*ck.
If there’s a silver lining to all of this, it’s that Dean will surely obliterate the Costa Maya cruise ship pier in Majahual, projected site of the hurricane’s landfall. So, to everyone in Felipe Carillo Puerto, Limones, Bacalar, Chetumal, Campeche and every village in between, my thoughts are with you. Stay safe. See you soon. The Modelos are on me.
Heartbroken2 08.22.07 | 2:08 PM ET
TambourineMan, my thoughts exactly.
I was blessed to spend time on Laguna Bacalar this spring and have also been disgusted by the crude, insensitive comments of CNN’s weatherman and morning anchor. Clueless.
I’m going crazy trying to find out information about the area and my friends. If anyone can provide an update on the condition of Bacalar and the Laguna, I’d most sincerely appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
TambourineMan 08.23.07 | 3:33 AM ET
Heartbroken2-
I’ve not read any details on Bacalar, post-Dean. I saw a few AP/Reuters photos taken before the hurricane made landfall. But nothing since.
As you know, Chetumal isn’t far, and they seem to have weathered the storm surprisingly well, relatively speaking.
Bacalar was closer to the eye, of course, but I think the coastal mangroves and scrub jungle, acting as a natural hurricane buffer, softened the blow a bit for the towns along 307. I’m willing to bet Bacalar is ok.
I still haven’t been to the Laguna (next trip), but in January I checked out Cenote Azul. A gorgeous spot. And if I remember correctly, it is supposedly the deepest cenote in the Yucatan.
For more info on damage, you might try the Xcalak message board:
http://www.xcalak.info/
Deals mainly with the coast, but you might find some news.
Here’s another one to try:
http://www.xcalak.tv/phpBB2_Xcalak_TV_10-11-05/viewforum.php?f=1
Heartbroken2 08.23.07 | 12:01 PM ET
TambourineMan,
Thanks so much for the links and encouraging words. I haven’t found much on Bacalar or the Laguna either, though I’ve seen reports on nearby areas, and that’s what is making me nervous. I’m most concerned about how the Mayan villagers, wildlife and natural areas fared, which for some reason doesn’t seem to make such a splashy news story as a destroyed cruise ship port! ;) So…we will wait and see…
My friends are at Rancho Encantado - I highly recommend it for your next trip, assuming all is ok with their palapas, etc. by then. The Laguna is one of the most beautiful and grounded places I’ve ever experienced - you will love it.
Thanks again for the info.
TambourineMan 08.23.07 | 1:44 PM ET
I’ve seen RE’s website in the past and was thinking about staying there next time. I’d like to explore more of the ruins along the Rio Bec route, which is a very long day trip from the coast.
“I’m most concerned about how the Mayan villagers, wildlife and natural areas fared”
I know Limones(along 307)took a major hit and is virtually destroyed. Getting info on the inland villages will be tough, because as you said, it doesn’t make for a splashy news headline.
I read somewhere that INAH reported no major damage to archeological sites.
Heartbroken2 08.23.07 | 2:27 PM ET
Definitely check out RE, then - it will be just what you are looking for. They will help arrange trips to the ruins along the Rio Bec route - an amazing experience that defies words and is way off the beaten path. The owners and staff are wonderful and also very mindful of minimizing the footprint we visitors leave along the way.
I was glad to see INAH’s report and very saddened about Limones. The waiting game is hard - went through it after Katrina and guess it is time to go through it again. Really makes me appreciate my blessings, though!
Richard Hicks 08.28.07 | 1:39 AM ET
I have family who lives in Bacalar and they were present through this horrible event. 1000 families in Bacalar are displaced and the remote villages are devastated. Buena Vista, Miguel Hildago, Reforma and every village between is suufering with limited drinking water and food. The gov’t is doing a fine job handing out “tar-paper” roofing to anyone in need and they are operating a “soup kitchen’ at the soccer field on Hwy 307 in Bacalar. My family members have witnessed incredible acts of humanity and unity from many residents. The hurricane destroyed much but the human spirit lives on. As of Saturday night Bacalar regained electricity and internet service. My family operates a humantarian/ ministry outreach called The Oasis Center next to the soccer field on Hwy 307.