Cancun bounces back to business

Some resorts used the opportunity to remodel and upgrade their premises. The Ritz Carlton invested $15 million to expand the size of its rooms, add tennis courts and build a culinary center before opening in September.

"We thought that if we are going to rebuild, then let's make it better. If it takes 11 months, then so be it," said marketing director Rafael Vazquez.

Wilma has also left scars in the nearby jungle. Thousands of trees were ripped out of the ground and thrown into dense piles that exploded into forest fires during the summer heat. Environmentalists say the woodland will take decades to fully recover.

Yet there are still millions of acres of jungle for tourists to visit, and the forest's Mayan ruins were untouched.

The biggest problem remaining for the tourist industry is a lack of cruise ship piers on the nearby island of Cozumel, one of the world's busiest cruise ports. For now, the big ships will be moored offshore, with most visitors ferried into ports on smaller boats.

One of the main piers should be finished by the end of the year, and the other will be completed sometime in 2007, officials said.

Tourists have responded well to the rebuilding of Mexico's Caribbean coast, with their numbers rising dramatically as the spring and summer months went on.

By August, Cancun hotels were filled to 79 percent capacity, a drop from the 86 percent in 2005, but an encouraging number under the circumstances.

Cancun resident Maria Ortiz, 41, says those who live there deserve some of the credit. Ortiz joined thousands of residents in cleaning garbage off the streets after Wilma, and she then helped with construction at the hotel where she normally works as a chef.

"All we have here is tourism. That is what we all live by," Ortiz said. "So we gave everything to get those tourists back. We all wanted to make Cancun live again."

If You Go:

WHEN TO GO: High season begins in mid-December and lasts until about May, which is also the dry season. Rates are normally cheaper during the summer and fall, but you also risk hurricanes and tropical storms.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS: The nearby resorts of Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Tulum and Cozumel suffered some damage during the storm, but all have mostly recovered. The region's famous coral reefs were also hit hard by the storm, and it will be years before they recover fully.

ANNOYANCES: The area has suffered from a recent locust invasion, and the bugs can be found in and around Cancun.

GETTING AROUND: Public buses shuttle guests between hotels, restaurants, shopping and the airport. Taxis and car rentals are an easy, faster option. Roads are well-paved, and it is usually easy for foreigners to find their way around.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For up-to-date information on which hotels are still closed or under construction, go to http://www.cancun.info.

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