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Things are looking up, way up for the beaches of Cancun. The beach restoration project is in full swing and the sand is flying! There are two dredgers working, currently bringing sand from a deposit off of Isla Mujeres called “La Ollita”, but plans suggest they will be switching to the Cozumel source by next week. Using the sand from Cozumel had been causing controversies and delays in the project but the authorities have ruled that they can move ahead as planned. As of today, they have covered approximately 700 meters of beach, from the Sunset Hotel up to Punta Cancun. The area that is complete includes the beach behind the condos Bay View Grand, Carisa, Palma and Girasol, the public beaches at Chac Mool and Gaviotas, the area behind Playa Cabanas (the beach club at The City) and they are currently working behind the Krystal and over towards Dreams. They should finish at Dreams this week and start working their way south. The Cancun part of the project should take about three months to complete before they move on to Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. When more specific scheduling details become available, we will be sure to share them with you.
I took a trip out to the beach this morning to check on the progress and my jaw literally dropped. The only words coming out of my mouth were “WOW WOW WOW”. I went to the same spots as exactly one week ago and the difference is spectacular. Where once there were rocks, there is now a beautiful stretch of sand. Behind the beach club at Playa Cabana, there was nothing last week, the water was crashing against the cement wall a few meters drop from the deck. Now the sand stretches for about 80 meters and comes right to the top of the wall at the beach club. It’s truly incredible what they have managed to accomplish in one week. Here are a couple of before and after comparison shots for you……
Cancun Travel will continue to bring you updates on the progress of the beach recovery, with more photos and some videos to come. Check out our Flickr Beach Recovery Cancun set for more pictures of this incredible project. Don’t forget to join the Cancun Travel Facebook page, share your own photos and videos with us, we’d love to hear from you!
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Any update since the 24th?? Any chance that they will be at Barcelo Tucancun by Dec 20th?
Thank you in advance
Hi Michelle,
I’ll try to get an update soon, haven’t had a chance to have a look this week. It’s really hard to know when they are going to be at certain hotels, so much depends on the weather (if they have a rough weather day, they can’t work). I wish I could give you a definnite timeline, but it’s just impossible to say!
I will probably have a new update early next week with an idea of where they are and how quickly they are moving. Take care!
I have a friend staying at the Westin Lagunamar. He said they did about 140 feet of beach there (12/7).
Thanks Jeff! I was out that way this morning, they’re moving fast! I am blown away by this project.
Anybody knows if they reached Grand Avalon? I am going this weekend. Thanks
Hi I’m not familiar at all with cancun and am going in Mid january i keep reading all these post here and on other sites. Are they near the gran melia or have they done it yet does anyone know? Thanks for your help!
Hi Stacy,
At the moment they are working on the area around the Royal Sands which means they should be getting to the Gran Melia soon (they are about one kilometer apart). I can’t tell you exactly when they will be there, it’s impossible to predict what impact the weather will have on the movement of the project. Hopefully you’ll be all clear with a big beautiful beach!
Myrna,
They have passed the Avalon, I hope you had a great trip!
Thanks Lyn I actually called the Gran Melia and they said that they would be there Dec 28th I hope all stays on track! Since you seem to know alot if you could keep me updated to let me know when they reach the gran melia I would appreciate it very much. Thanks for all the info.
Could someone tell me if the beaches in front of Gran Melia Cancun are nice, or have they been destroyed by the huricanes? I heard they were beginning construction and parts of the beach have been blocked off. Could someone please confirm?
Many thanks!
Has work been done at the Gran Caribe Real in Cancun?? I will be going mid-January, and hope to have a beach!!
Hi Bonbon,
The work behind Gran Caribe Real is done, gorgeous beach for you, have a great trip!
I was out to check on things this morning, they have not reached the Gran Melia yet but they will in the next couple of weeks (just a prediction, one never knows when these projects can be affected by the uncontrollable weather). Today they were working from just south of the Royal Sands to the Le Meridien.
They’re almost there, working behind the Le Meridien hotel this morning! Looks like all is on track.
awesome! thanks Lyn!
Thanks Lyn for all the updates! Keep them coming it’s really appreciated.
any updates about he cancun palace. going on the 10th
any updates about the cancun palace. Going on the 10th and want to know if we should change hotels if there is going to be a lot of construction on the beach. any help would be appreciated. thanks
Hi Cathy e,
The beach at Cancun Palace is complete and gorgeous! Took some photos this morning, will have a new post with photos up soon!
How will the JW Marriott Cancun beach in July 2010? I have already booked my vacation.
Hi Nancy,
The Marriott beaches have been replenished and are looking fantastic. Check out our most recent post for some photos…. http://www.cancuninfo.net/2009/12/cancun-beach-recovery-dec-292009/
My friends are staying at the Hilton. Do you know if those beaches are finished yet or will be by July?
Staying at the Ritz Carlton for 2 weeks starting Feb. 6. Does anyone have any info. on the condition of the beach there and in the surrounding area? Thanks.
Hi John,
The beach at the Ritz is complete and it looks great! The project has moved south and you probably won’t even know it’s there. Have a great trip!
Hi John,
The Ritz is complete and the beach looks great! You can see photos of the area here….. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cancuntravel/sets/72157622978741453/
Have a great trip!
Hi Nancy,
All the beaches in Cancun will be replenished by July, the project should be finishing in March. They should have a gorgeous stretch of beach to play on!
I’m staying at the Crown Paradise Club on Jan 16. Is there any update on where the construction will be at that time? Thanks!
Lyn,
Staying at the Royal Solaris from Jan. 19-26, 2010. Where will the restorations be occuring at that time.
Hi Todd,
It’s difficult to know exactly where the project will be, there is no public timeline and weather can affect how quickly or slowly they move. Currently they are working around the Royal Islander and just south. I would contact the hotel and see if they have more specific information from the project. Hope you have a wonderful trip!
Does anyone know how the beach is at the Royal islander? Last year (April) the water was hitting the wall!
The Royal Islander beach appears to be finished, though the pipes are still laid out there as they work south of the resort. You can see a bit of what’s going on on the Royal Resorts webcams…..
http://www.royalresorts.com/the-royal-islander-webcam.asp
How are the beaches behind the Riu Cancun?
Checking on the status of Gran Melia? Any info if the beach is completed yet?
Any news on the Gran Melia?
The Gran Melia is complete, the whole project should be finished this week. Have a great trip!
Jan,
I haven’t been out there lately, and unfortunately, the Riu Cancun is on the north side of Cancun island so was not a part of the reconstruction project (they only did the east side starting at Dreams and going south almost to Club Med). I have heard that the Rius’ beaches have suffered some erosion but don’t have any first hand knowledge, sorry.
What about Riu Cancun?
Is the Gran Melia beach complete? I am going there in a week and a half and ive read the reviews on orbit and people have said they are under construction and the beach was horrible in the reconstructuring stage. Is it fully complete?
Hi Lyn, Whats the status on the Gran Melias Cancun?
Melias are finished! Have a great trip.
Hi Cameron,
The Riu Cancun was not part of the project, it’s on the north side of Cancun island and the project only went down the east side. Sorry!
Has the the beach for the Omni Cancun Hotel and Villas been restored? I am hesitant to trade my week from the Keys in exchange for this hotel.
Thanks!
Yes, the Omni received a big, beautiful beach, come on down!
Hello, I can someone tell me about Interconntinental?
I am looking for a hotel with nice beach and calm water.
sun
How about the Gran Melia? Going in May 2010. Last year the beach was small still.
How about Gran Melia Cancun?
Any pictures anyoneplease?
We are going April 10.2010.
Thanks
Hi Tony,
The beaches are gorgeous, there is a bit of a drop near the edge, but “stairs” or “ramps” have been carved in to get down, not a big deal really. I don’t have any photos from that hotel, sorry!
All done and gorgeous, enjoy!
the intercontinental is perfect for your requirements, great beach and calm waters. You might also check out the Beachscape that is right next to the Intercontinental, it’s a fave of mine, I usually send family and friends there. http://www.cancuntravel.com/hotels/cancun/ambiance/