¡Ya Abrimos! Los Cabos is Back in Business Following Hurricane Odile
It’s been nearly a month since Hurricane Odile made its devastating landfall in Los Cabos, and incredibly, the area is already back in business…just in time for high-tourism season. Power, water, and telephone service have been restored throughout the area, beaches and neighborhoods have been cleaned up, commercial flights have resumed on both a domestic and international basis, and cruise ships are now returning regularly.
Unstoppable and Cabo Strong are probably the two most popular slogans being used to describe this remarkable rebound, as well as the resiliency of local residents, although personally I’d vote for ¡Ya Abrimos!, meaning “We’re Open.” You can now see hundreds of signs and banners bearing these words around Los Cabos, signifying the widespread reopening of bars, restaurants and other businesses.
In fact, as we approach the one-month anniversary of Odile, Los Cabos has, in large part, returned to normal.
Here’s our latest status report:
The return of cruise ships to Cabo San Lucas is one of many signs of the area’s recovery following Hurricane Odile. Image: Perla Pulido
International Flights
Although the Los Cabos International Airport suffered damage to its control tower and terminals (much of which is still evident), it has been open since shortly after the hurricane: first, for flights evacuating an estimated 30,000 foreign and domestic tourists, and, since Oct. 3, for commercial flights. The first international flights, from Alaska and United Airlines arrived Oct. 8.
For a look at the reception given those on the first returning international flight, click here.
Cruise Ships
Holland America’s Zuiderdam was the first cruise ship to return to Cabo San Lucas, dropping anchor on Oct. 3. Princess Cruises’ Star Princess arrived the following day, and cruise ships are now arriving on a regular basis.
Where are the tourists staying? Many hotels have already reopened in Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, and the connecting Tourist Corridor, and many more are expected do so in November in December. It is estimated by Los Cabos tourism officials that close to 3,000 hotel rooms are now ready for guests, and up to 10,000 rooms will be operational by the end of the year.
According to the Hotel Association of Los Cabos, here’s a list of hotels that are now open, as well as expected opening dates for those still dealing with clean-up and repairs (some lodgings are also planning upgrades and remodeling during the recovery process).
Open:
Bahía Hotel and Beach Club
Best Western Aeropuerto
Cabo Cush
Cabo Inn Hotel
Cabo Pulmo Resort
Cabo Villas Beach Resort & Spa
Casa Dorada
Holiday Inn Express Los Cabos
Hotel Mar de Cortez
Hotel Suites Las Palmas
Montecristo Estates by Pueblo Bonito
Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos Resort
Pueblo Bonito Rosé Resort & Spa
Pueblo Bonito Pacífica Holistic Retreat & Spa
Quinta Del Sol
Riu Palace Los Cabos
Siesta Suites
Villa del Arco Beach Resort & Spa
Villa del Palmar Beach, Resort & Spa
Villa La Estancia Beach, Resort & Spa
Wyndham Cabo San Lucas
Sunday, October 12
Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa
Hacienda Encantada Resort & Spa
Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa
Playa Grande Resort & Grand Spa
The Ridge At Playa Grande
Solmar Resort
Los Cabos Golf Resort At Country Club
October 13
Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort & Spa
October 15
Hacienda Beach Club And Residences
Tropicana Inn
October 16
Posada Real Los Cabos
Riu Santa Fe
November 1
Bel Air Collection Resort & Spa Los Cabos
Sandos Finisterra
Royal Solaris Los Cabos
Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar Resort & Spa
November 3
Barcelo Grand Faro Los Cabos
November 5
Marbella Suites En La Playa
November 15
Esperanza An Auberge Resort
Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos
Secrets Marquis Los Cabos
Secrets Puerto Los Cabos
November 20
Decameron All Inclusive Resort
December 1
Holiday Inn Resort Los Cabos
December 15
One & Only Palmilla
January 2015
Sirena Del Mar Welk Resorts
Melia Cabo Real All Inclusive Beach
Cabo Azul Resort & Spa
February 2015
Me By Meliá Cabo
July 2015
Hyatt Place Los Cabos
No official reopening date set at present:
Capella Pedregal Los Cabos
Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa
El Ganzo
El Encanto Inn
Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos
Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
Las Ventanas Al Paraíso
The Grand Mayan Los Cabos
The Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos
Zöetry Casa Del Mar
Los Cabos´return to normalcy included this destination wedding, the first since Hurricane Odile, at Baja Cantina Beach Club. Image by Kenia Quiroz of Beso Weddings.
Many of the area’s signature restaurants have reopened at this point, and it’s now possible to enjoy casual or fine dining in every major neighborhood in Cabo San Lucas – including downtown, the marina, Médano Beach, and Pedregal – as well as in downtown San José del Cabo. Many major nightclubs and cantinas have also reopened, including the big three: Cabo Wabo, El Squid Roe, and Mango Deck. And visiting rock ‘n’ roll aficionados will be happy to know that Cabo Blue, Cabo Lounge, Cabo Wabo, Jungle Bar, and Rockstone Tavern, among others, are once again offering live music.
Here’s our latest list of open bars and restaurants:
7 Seas Seafood Restaurant
Alcaravea Gourmet
Alexander Restaurant
Arts & Sushi
Asi y Asado
Baja Cantina Beach Club
Baja Cantina on the Marina
Bar Esquina
Billygan’s Island
Burger King
Burrito Surf
Cabo Bakery
Cabo Blue
Cabo Cantina
Cabo Coffee Company
Cabo Lounge
Cabo Wabo Cantina
Café Canela
Captain Tony’s
Daikoku
Desperado’s
Don Sanchez
Dos Mares
Edith’s Restaurant
El Pollo de Oro
El Squid Roe
Felix’s
Giggling Bean Coffee
Giggling Marlin
Gordo Lele’s Tacos & Tortas
Habanero’s Gastro Grill
Happy Ending Cantina
Harbard
IMOMO Sushi
Invita Bistro
Irma’s Restaurant (now El Fogon de Cabo)
Jack’s
John’s Place
Jungle Bar
La Casa Country
La Divina
La Dolce (San Jose del Cabo location)
La Golondrina Restaurant
La Mezcaleria
La Pampa
Las Guacamayas (Lázaro Cárdenas location)
Latitude 22 Roadhouse
Lolita’s Restaurante
Lorenzillo’s
Los Ajos
Los Claros Tacos
Los Deseos
Mama’s Royal Cafe
Mango Cantina on the Marina
Mango Deck Cantina
Mariscos El Torito
Mariscos Mazatlan
Mariscos Mocambo
Milky Way Cafe & Deli
Nick-San (Plaza de la Danza location)
Nowhere Bar
Olé Olé
Pancho’s Restaurant & Tequila Bar
Pan di Bacco
Penny Lane Cafe
Rámuri
Retro Burger Bar
Rico Suave
Rockstone Tavern
Romeo y Julieta
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Salvatore’s
Sammy G’s
Santito’s Restaurant
Solomon’s Landing
Starbucks
Subway
Super Pollo
Taco Loco
Tacos Guss
Templo (formerly La Fonda)
The Office on the Beach
The Shrimp House
The World’s Smallest Bar
Villa Serena
In addition to the resumption of service at most area banks and gas stations, a number of major groceries and shopping plazas are also back in business. That does not mean every shop or boutique at every mall or plaza has reopened, but the majority certainly have, most notably at Plaza Bonita, Las Tiendas de Palmilla, and Puerto Paraíso (where on-going construction and remodeling are expected to continue until sometime in 2015). Costco is expected to open again Nov. 1. Luxury Avenue has also yet to reopen, but is expected to do so by the middle of November.
Here’s a short list of open groceries and shopping plazas:
City Club
Chedraui
Home Depot
MEGA
Plaza Aramburo
Plaza Cabo San Lucas (home to Wal-Mart, among many other stores)
Puerto Paraiso (discounts of 40% to 60% are available at many shops and boutiques)
Sam’s Club
Plaza Sendero (home to Soriana, among others)
For a complete list of businesses open in Los Cabos, click here.