An Update on Los Cabos After Hurricane Odile

Back in September of this year, Hurricane Odile swept through Baja California Sur and greatly impacted the Los Cabos community. Despite being the largest hurricane to hit the area since 1967, Los Cabos swiftly united themselves in efforts to restore the destination back to its original beauty.

As with the case with Hurricane Wilma that hit Cancun in 2005, what winds up happening in these situations is that the destination comes roaring back stronger and better than ever, and that is exactly what is happening with Cabo. With the support of the local tourist board, the community immediately launched an #Unstoppable campaign to demonstrate that “the spirit of Los Cabos is unstoppable and will us prove that no matter what, when tourists arrive, Los Cabos will be ready.”

Jairo Torres, Marketing Vice President of Los Cabos Hotel Association, recently shared in a Travel Weekly webinar, “We believe in our destintion and I truly hope you do too”. Below is a recap of the latest status in Los Cabos:

What’s Happening With The Airlines/Airport?

In October, less than a month after the hurricane hit, Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) was still able to welcome more than 18,000 passengers on 216 flights. SJD is expected to return to 100% normal operation in early December, just in time for the winter travel season.
– Southwest Airlines is already back on track with their service to Los Cabos and in addition have announced a new service out of Baltimore.
– United Airlines, which is the largest carrier into Los Cabos, is operating at about 85%.
– Delta Airlines had originally planned a huge increase in lift, but did get a bit sidelined from the hurricane. At holiday peak, they will add flights out of JFK, Seattle, and San Diego in addition to the standard offerings from Minneapolis, Dertoit, Atlanta, and Salk Lake City.
– Sunwing Airlines  joined the campaign of Los Cabos #unstoppable decorating  one of their aircraft with the image of Los Cabos which reaffirms the preference of Canadian tourists to this tourist destination of the Mexican Pacific.

What’s Open?

Almost all of the major hotels in Los Cabos are up and running, with exception for a few properties in the Corridor which were hit a bit harder than most areas. For the majority, there was no damage or loss in any of the beaches, and almost all restaurants, bars, and shops are running at 100% functionality. Of the 12 golf courses Cabo features, only one is closed, and two brand new ones are set to inaugurate in December.

So what’s next for Los Cabos?

In addition to the new flight connectivity  mentioned above in the airport update section, Los Cabos continues full-steam ahead for all the new investments pouring into the area.  Planned to open in 2015 are the Thompson Cabo San Lucas, a new boutique, luxury property; The Ritz Carlton Reserve Los Cabos, which will offer 124 oceanfront villas with private plunge pools;  the JW Marriott spanning over an impressive 14 acres; a Park Hyatt with meeting and event facilities; and The Resort at Diamante which is a massive 15,000 acre community development. By 2017 Los Cabos will also be home to a brand new, all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos which will feature 600 rooms, six restaurants, meeting space, and multiple swimming pools.

In addition to the all the hotels moving in, Los Cabos will also be opening two new golf courses in December: QUIVIRA, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course that will have the largest oceanfront play of any course in Cabo; and El Cardonal at Diamante, the first ever Tiger Woods Design Course in Mexico. These two new cources will bring the destination’s total cource count to 14, qualifying Los Cabos as Mexico’s golf capital.

For more information about Los Cabos #Unstoppable, real-time updates, and hotel  updates, visit unstoppablecabo.com.