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  Hurricane season 2005 hurricanes Emily and Wilma in the Riviera Maya, Mexico
    This month's spotlight is a combination summary and photo essay of the 2005 hurricane season as we experienced it here on the Riviera Maya in Quintana Roo, Mexico. It goes without saying it's been a tough season. The good news is that most of the Riviera Maya bounced back from the storms in record time. Those places that need more attention are currently being worked on. The Costa Maya (farther south) weathered both storms virtually unscathed. If you are headed to Mahahual and Xcalak those towns are in fine shape. That's true for most of the Riviera Maya, anywhere from Playa del Carmen south. Repairs toward Cancun are well underway and a lot of progress is being made.

satellite photo of emily on 16 Jul 2005  To summarize our season, Northern Quintana Roo was hit by two hurricanes. Emily on July 17th cruised through our area quickly causing damage predominately to the foliage. Three months later hurricane Wilma landed on top of Isla Cozumel damaging virtually everything. It stripped away most of the cruise ship pier and then moved northwest, coming ashore north of Playa del Carmen, headed for Cancun. Towns, including Playa del Carmen, suffered less damage because Wilma's eye missed them. They were on the "friendly" side of the storm with mostly offshore winds. Towns and areas south of Playa del Carmen include (destination pages): Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, Chemuyil, Soliman Bay, Tankah Bay, Tulum, Sian Ka'an and all points south.

Things you should know
  ¤ Note- the principal construction method in the Riviera Maya is cement block with rebar reinforced cement. These building are rarely damaged by wind. The effects of the wind depend on nearby obstructions that deflect the wind, and of course the direction changes as the hurricane passes. Even hurricane force waves have problems damaging cement block buildings. Boarded upper levels of buildings are seldom affected by wind or seas. Palapas may blow down or be holed, but even most of these survived this year's storms in fair shape and needed only patches.

  This being the Thanksgiving season and un-official end of hurricane season it is a good time to give thanks to all who have poured their time, money and energy into the recovery efforts. MUCHISIMO GRACIAS to all and ADIOS hurricane season 2005! We wish everyone a very happy holiday season.

  ¤ Links to web pages that show some Riviera Maya beaches after hurricane Wilma (click here).

  ¤ Bottom line the Riviera Maya is in fine shape. 5th avenue in Playa del Carmen is rocking. Most businesses from Playa del Carmen to Tulum are open and operating normally. Riviera Maya beaches are generally wider.
 
Puerto Morelos fishing pier
  Above: Puerto Morelos fishing dock stripped clean. Below: kids cleaning a boat bottom by the main pier.  
Puerto Morelos kids by the main dock
    Below: The spirit to work to set things right is irrepressible in the Riviera Maya. After cleaning and flipping the boat these kids get direction from a fisherman about the next task. Puerto Morelos is primarily a fishing town.  
Puerto Morelos kids by the main dock
    Below: Puerto Morelos main beach by the lighthouse. There was much destruction but the old leaning lighthouse still stands and the beach remains. I walked up this beach and there was lots of activity clearing debris.  
    Below: Akumal, Lol ha beach bar/restaurant less than 2 weeks after hurricane Wilma. Lol ha is now running at 100%. The beach bar and restaurant are open. Click here for Akumal after-the-storm web page and for a realtime view click here for the Akumal beach webcam.  

    Below: Tulum beach and below that, pueblo photos. Click here for Tulum after-the-storm web page  



    Below: Soliman Bay, click here for Soliman Bay after-the-storm web page  
    Below: Tankah Bay, click here for Tankah Bay after-the-storm web page  
    Below: Playa del Carmen, click here for Playa del Carmen after-the-storm web page  
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 Azul Fives  All-inclusive Resort in Near Playa del Carmen
 Azul Sensatori  All-inclusive Resort in Puerto Morelos
 Bellamar  Villa in Akumal
 Casa Gauguin  Villa in Akumal
 Casa Portugesa  Villa in Tankah Bay
 Casa Tranquilidad  Condominium in Akumal
 Casablanca  Villa in Puerto Aventuras
 H10 Ocean Coral and Turquesa  All-inclusive Resort in Puerto Morelos
 Las Palmas  Condominium in Puerto Aventuras


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