With strong support from the Federal Government, the city is working to restore water and electricity. The downtown area is already in good shape with full power and services. The sun is shining in Cozumel, and the dive boats are already going out. That said, it appears that some of the large, all-inclusive hotels farthest south of town were the hardest hit. Some of these properties may not be open for quite a while.
The following on-site reports, from our friends and suppliers who live there, help to tell the tale of Hurricane Emily as it blew through Cozumel.
Four hotels have elected to close temporarily for clean-up and repairs in order to guarantee standards of service to their guests. They are:
Occidental Grand Cozumel, Occidental Allegro Cozumel, Reef Club Cozumel Beach and Dive Resort, and Iberostar Cozumel.
We truly appreciate all your help and support."
The airport is open and planes are landing. The ferry boats are running. Most of the hotels are open for business. Yes, we are diving today - Tuesday, July 19. We put up a sign on the door, and lots of divers are coming in saying: can YOU take us diving? Heck yes, we want to work, and sure we need the money. We are open and will keep regular hours. We have been very lucky - the waterfront is already clean. Here at Aqua Safari we have power, water, telephones, full tanks, and eager crews and divemasters ready to go diving. And most importantly, nobody was hurt.
Safe and happy diving from Aqua Safari, Grateful Bill
PS. If anyone has a picture of how close the eye came to us; we certainly want to see it.
Monday, August 15, 2:00 p.m. CST --- Maryline Justice, Reef Club Resort Resort
"Dear partner in Travel. This will confirm that we will reopen our hotel this Friday August 19th. During the past four weeks we have not only been able to fix and repair damage from the hurricane but also make many other infrastructure improvements. The main hotel and services will be fully operational. Only the suite and vacation club areas will continued to be closed until September 2, for additional changes and work, but this will not effect your clients enjoyment during their stay. Our beach is larger and better than before. We look forward to serving your clients. Thank you for your patience. Reef Club Cozumel."
Saturday, July 30, 10:00 a.m. CST --- Carmen Reyes, Reef Club Resort Resort
"Cozumel reports the effects of Hurricane Emily to the island are minimal. Currently, operations in Cozumel are running normally with flights, ferries and cruise ships operating on their regular schedules. The majority of Cozumel's hotels and resorts are open. Roads have been cleared of any fallen trees and scattered debris. Beaches are open and Cozumel's beautiful waters are as clear as ever. Shops and restaurants in downtown San Miguel are operating as usual. However, please note that Reef Club Resort is currently closed. Cleaning and maintenance improvements are in process. Reef Club will re-open on August 19, 2005."
Wednesday, July 27, 6:30 p.m. CST --- Bianca Alvarado, Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort
"We are pleased to advise that Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort re-opened, as scheduled, on July 26, 2005. We are fortunate to have sustained only superficial damage during the storm, and have carefully evaluated conditions on the island to ensure the comfort of our guests. Our airport, roads and services are restored and once again operational. The hotel re-opens with 192 rooms in both the main building and casitas section. Guests will be served by two restaurants -- Reef & Miramar -- as well as our lobby bar. Dive House, located on-property, is fully operational, and among the finest dive operations on the island. For a short period of time, La Palapa Restaurant, our pool bar, and 32 additional rooms will remain closed while minor repairs are completed. Thank you for your ongoing support."
Tuesday, July 26, 9:00 a.m. CST --- Donna Mena, Aqua Safari Cozumel
"I just spoke to Sheryl, who does work with REEF and the Cozumel Marine Park. She says that with the exception of Yucab reef, which for some reason got hit very hard, the other reefs look very good. The visibility has improved and marine life is pretty much normal."
Saturday, July 23, 9:00 a.m. CST --- Gabriela Verduzco, Cozumel Hotel Association
"The Cozumel Tourism Promotion Board, Department of Tourism, and Cozumel Hotel Association report the effects of Hurricane Emily, which struck the island on July 18, are minimal. Although local businesses and hotels have sustained minimal damage, all residents and visitors remained safe throughout the storm. Currently, operations in Cozumel are running normally with flights, ferries, and cruise ships operating on their regular schedules. The majority of Cozumel's hotels and resorts are open. Roads have been cleared of any fallen trees and scattered debris. Beaches are open and Cozumel waters are as clear as ever. Shops and restaurants in downtown San Miguel are operating as usual.
Friday, July 22, 5:00 p.m. CST --- Scuba Club Cozumel
"Hurricane Emily has come and gone with limited damage to Cozumel. Scuba Club Cozumel wants to let all our friends know that we are all safe and in good shape. We had 63 great people with us for the storm and all went as planned. On Monday we did some minor clean up. The resort, pier, boats and services are all functioning as usual."
Friday, July 22, 4:00 p.m. CST --- Martha Paredes, Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa
"In regards to your request for information on the status of our hotel, Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa, we can confirm that we are receiving new guests as of Monday, July 25th. Our pool and main beach will be accessible by tomorrow, July 23. Alfredo di Roma Restaurant is currently offering all meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our El Caribeno Restaurant and Cana Brava Snack & Grill are currently closed. In addition, Serenity Spa is not in operation until further notice. Nonetheless we will be offering Spa services as of Monday, July 25th. Please let us know if there are any more specific questions that we can assist you with and we look forward to again welcoming you to our resort."
Friday, July 22, 3:00 p.m. CST --- Andres Pan de Soraluce, Occidental Hotels
"The Yucatan Peninsula has sustained damage as a result of hurricane Emily. After a profound analysis we would like to inform you officially on the status of our hotels. Occidental Grand Cozumel – Fully operational August 5, 2005 onwards, however this will depend on the electrical services on the Island, we will keep you inform on its status. Allegro Cozumel – Will re-open on November 1, 2005."
Thursday, July 21, 4:30 p.m. CST --- Vanessa, Reef Club Cozumel
Reef Club Cozumel wishes to inform you of the current status of the hotel after the arrival and departure of Hurricane Emily. As a result of the hurricane the hotel is without power and we do not anticipate the power being restored before July 25th, 2005. Damage to the hotel was mainly superficial. None of our buildings or structures were damaged. Only two rooms out of 315 were effected. In fact the beach has now grown larger and is more beautiful than ever. We did receive damage in the following areas:
To complete this work and to ensure the hotel is brought back to an excellent condition and to avoid our guests having their holidays around the required repairs we have decided to keep the hotel closed until the 18th of August. All reservations from now until that date need to be cancelled and rebooked for a later departure without penalty. All bookings already made arriving from August 19th going forward are
protected and of course we are open for new bookings from that date.
Thursday, July 21, 1:30 p.m. CST --- Fernanda Aguirre, Casa Mexicana Cozumel
"Dear Friends, Hurricane Emily has come and gone. Tourists and locals alike are helping to clean up, and move on. Casa Mexicana Cozumel is standing proud. The management and staff along side many of our guests, prepared for, braved the hurricane, and readied ourselves for the aftermath. Casa Mexicana remained fully intact, with very minor tribulations. Due to our in house generator, Casa Mexicana retained electricity throughout the ordeal. City provided electricity was restored to Casa Mexicana less than 13 hours after the storm. Our water system also remained unscathed. Our kitchen provided our guests and staff members with meals that certainly exceeded all our expectations. Today, Casa Mexicana is fully operational. We are accepting new reservations starting Monday July 25th, 2005. It is our hope that Casa Mexicana Cozumel and the island of Cozumel can put Emily behind them, and move on.Our thanks go out to the management and staff of Casa Mexicana, all of our guests, and most importantly the people and city of Cozumel."
To the people of Cozumel:
Your courage and strength is astounding.
Your willingness to help your friends, neighbors, your fellow store owners, and strangers is truly astonishing.
We will not be beaten, we will prevail.
We will rebuild, and be again the best we can be.
May the grace and strength of God be with you all. -- Fernanda Aguirre
Thursday, July 21, 11:00 a.m. CST --- Vanessa, Scuba Du Dive Shop Cozumel
"Sorry for the delay, the hotel and all the island has been having telephone problems. The Scuba Du dive shop, and our boats, had no problems from the storm. We are working normaly as of yesterday morning. The hotel has fallen palapas, palm trees, and the beach is kind of messed up (sand and rocks), but it's nothing a good couple of days cleaning and rebuilding beach palapas wont fix. We were lucky."
Thursday, July 21, 9:00 a.m. CST --- Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa
"The Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa was minimally effected by Hurricane Emily and is currently operating with limited services until island-wide restoration of all utility services by Cozumel's Power Energy Company is complete. The resort will begin to receive guests on Monday, July 25. The staff and management at the Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa remain committed to providing the highest levels of personalized service for guests and are working hard to ensure that the resort resumes normal operations as quickly as possible. This resort was the least-affected property in Cozumel."
Wedneday, July 20, 10:00 a.m. CST --- Enrique, Hotel Cozumel Resort
According to Enrique at Hotel Cozumel at 11:00 a.m. today, July 20, he states that they are running at 100%, they received electricity Monday night, phones are working, and all is back to normal.
Wednesday, July 20, 9:00 p.m. CST --- Fernando Lizarraga, El Cid Hotel Cozumel
"Regarding Emily, the lodging rooms of El Cid came through in good condition, but our outdoor public areas do show some damage. A lot of sand is missing from the beach. Many plants and trees were downed, and we lost one of our ceiba trees that was 29 years old. We have no city electricity so far, other than some supply from our own generator that is only on a certain hours. Fortunately, my own home is in good shape. As far as I know, nobody was displaced from his or her home, which is good, and no fatalities have been reported, very good as well. The ferryboats from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel have started to run again, and the airport re-opened yesterday afternoon, July 19. It will take little more than a week for Cozumel to be back to normal."
Tuesday, July 19, 6:30 p.m. CST --- Reservations Office, Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort
"In an effort to provide the most accurate information possible, we have thoroughly evaluated conditions at our Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort. While there has been minimal damage to the hotel, the comfort and well-being of our guests must remain our primary focus. Our concerns regarding potable water and power outages on the island have resulted in our temporary closure of the hotel. The hotel will begin accepting new arrivals beginning July 26, 2005. It is our sincere hope that our guests will choose to visit Cozumel during alternate dates. For guests scheduled to travel during this temporary closure who are unable to alter their dates, we will waive cancellation penalties." Bianca Alvarado
Tuesday, July 19, 3:00 p.m. CST --- Bill Horn, Aqua Safari Cozumel
Hurricane Emily was tough on Cozumel, but we build with solid concrete. We were lucky that the eye passed to the south of Cozumel, as we only had strong winds from the Northeast. We did not get a storm tide on the western shore of the island, and as a result there is very little water damage. (We do wonder what the eastern shore looks like though). Main problem right now is downed trees. But as dawn came yesterday, Monday 18, everyone was out chopping branches and sweeping leaves. The Air Force was landing planes, President Fox and three beautiful white helicopters were here yesterday. We already have electricity at Aqua Safari, Safari Inn, and Condumel.
Tuesday, July 19, 1:30 p.m. CST --- Gaston Cantarell, Cozumel Hotel Association
Cozumel is quickly recovering from the effects of Hurricane Emily, which moved through the island early Monday morning (July 18). According to Gaston Cantarell Diaz, president of the Cozumel Hotel Association, Cozumel sustained minimal damage and everyone on island weathered the storm safely. "Cozumel is doing well and operating as normal today. The airport is open and ferry services are up and running again. Although there was some damage to hotels and other local properties, the important thing is that everyone remained safe throughout the storm." Following are some current updates from the island:
Tuesday, July 19, 9:00 a.m. CST --- Donna Mena, Aqua Safari Cozumel
I can only tell you what I saw this morning on my way to work. Downtown area looks pretty good.
Some trees and light poles are down, which is to be expected. Main street and waterfront are fine. Safari Inn and Aqua Safari's dive boats....all fine. We took the boards off the windows this morning and the dive shop is fine too. We expect to dive this morning. Town area and Condumel have lights, so I think most of the waterfront must have power as well. Some residential areas also have power, others do not. I do not yet know how all the different waterfront hotels made out.
Tuesday, July 19, 8:00 a.m. CST --- Occidental Allego Cozumel
On behalf of Occidental Hotels & Resorts (OHR), we are pleased to report to you that all of our guests and staff are in good health following the impact of Hurricane Emily. We currently have our team on the ground assessing the damages to our properties. Nevertheless, until we can determine the operational status of our resorts, we are implementing the following policy regarding our guests in our resorts, as well as future guest arrivals: OHR will charge only for the nights that guests have stayed; there will be no penalty for late arrivals or early departures.
OHR will not charge guests who could not travel due to airport closures or cancelled flights. Allegro Cozumel - no new arrivals until further notice.
Tuesday, July 19, 8:00 a.m. CST --- Iberostar Resort Cozumel
We have been advised that Iberostar Cozumel will be closed until October 31.
Monday, July 18, 5:00 p.m. CST --- Hotel Cozumel Resort
Christy of Island Dreams spoke with Enrique from Hotel Cozumel briefly Monday evening. He said the resort received minimal damage. He reports eight hotel rooms with broken windows, plus some fallen trees and tree branches. The electricity was out at the time they spoke but expected to be back on by Tuesday morning.
Monday, July 18, 1:30 p.m. CST --- Evelyn LaPlante, Dive House Cozumel
I've just spoken by phone with Evelyn LaPlante, manager of Dive House in Cozumel, Mexico. She, owner Juan Leca, and Splash are all just fine. Evelyn reported that, fortunately, the eye of Hurricane Emily appears to have passed south of the island of Cozumel. While her phone line remained live, there are many trees down, and electricity is out for the time being. All of Dive House's six boats survived unscathed. The three largest boats remained in the water, on storm anchors in the main port, while the three smaller boats were hauled out in anticipation of the storm. Evelyn reported that Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort came through the storm just fine. There were no broken windows at all. Most visible damage was a palm frond palapa knocked down near the swimming pool in front of the hotel.
This all sounds like very good news, and we hope it extends to the rest of this wonderful little island. The clean up has already begun, and it appears Cozumel, with a sigh of relief, will very quickly be back to business as usual. Ken Knezick -- Island Dreams Travel
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