The Yucatan Peninsula is used to disaster but more accustomed to it arriving by sea.  The Swine Flu broke like a cheap piñata raining down economic misery that is just now starting to ease. 

On April 25, 2009 the WHO (World Health Organization) proclaimed that Mexico was an unsafe travel destination because of the H1N1 Virus.  Needless to say this put a screeching halt to the tourism industry.  The following Monday saw hotel bookings plummet. The Mexican Minister of Health did not help the situation with the many confusing and contradicting statements coming from his office. Then the United States Center for Disease Control advised its citizens to avoid travel to Mexico, well, the rest is history.

The irony is that the Yucatan Peninsula had only six cases and NO TOURISTS ever came down with the flu, but it was as if the bubonic plague had arrived here.

Leaving LAX on Mexicana airlines you get your first hint that all is not well in paradise. Normally the planes flying south are packed but today the plane was less than half full. I made record time getting thru customs and was frolicking on the beach at the luxurious Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita resort on the Riviera Maya.

A resort that offers its guests Endless Privileges, including unlimited gourmet meals and premium beverages! Famous for the wellness and anti-aging Thalasso treatments under the direction of Charles Wills. This boutique hotel has 90 Luxurious Ocean Front Suites, the decor is ecclectic. Tip: don't miss the salt water pools!

I asked the the General Manger how they were faring: “We had several weeks of very bad bookings but now things have picked up and we hope to be back to normal by the end of Summer.”

To lure travelers back AMResorts (parent company) is offering: Up to a 37% discount at its Wellness and Spa resorts and up to 40% off at the Dreams Resorts and Spas and the Secrets Resorts & Spas. More info can be found here.

While in the Cancun area, and thanks to the help of Erandeni Abundis of the Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau, I had a chance to visit with Rodrigo de la Pena, the President of the Cancun Hotel Association, a young charismatic man infused with energy.  “On April 25 we were all in Tianguis (the huge Mexican Travel Industry show) discussing the effects of the media attention on the drug wars on the northern border, then that day there was an earthquake in Acapulco and the very next day the Swine Flu outbreak occurred.” Creating the perfect trifecta of economic misery  for Mexico's tourist industry. “We are now in an intense media campaign to get our tourists back, we recently launched our National campaigns and will begin our international campaigns within a few weeks.  We hope to be back to normal by November.”

Next I traveled down to the Tulum area and stayed at Dreams Tulum.  This is an upscale all inclusive with great restaurants, lively entertainment and very friendly staff.  It is modeled after a colonial city with plazas and cobblestone streets.  It is very close to the Tulum Ruins which is a must see in that area. Tip: They have a Temazcal Ceremony, which is an Aztez form of a Sweatlodge.  Very spiritual and relaxing, try it.

My final destination on this trip of discovery is Playa del Carmen.  This is the little miracle town of the Yucatan.  With sustained growth of about 12 % a year, American-style shopping centers with WalMart, Sam's Club....just to name a few have sprung up.  It is the Ferry Port for Cozumel Island. I spoke with taxi cab driver Antonio Gonzalez. “This is really bad, my earnings are off 70%.” But he sees signs of recovery. “The last week has been much better, so we are hoping.”  As you drive down the streets near the ocean you can see where the effects have really hit, which is in the lower class beach hotels. Many are closed and there just isn't much activity on the usually bustling streets. The shopkeepers told me the same 70% drop is what they are experiencing.

Within walking distance of Playa de la Carmen, my last few nights will be spent at the RIU Palace, Riviera Maya. This is a fairly new hotel that resembles an Italian castle.  The furnishings and tile work will wow you and the chandeliers in the lobby are other worldly. They offer some very unique rooms with terraces connected by spiral staircases giving access to the hot tub. They put on a full show every night and have true 24-hour room service.

The next morning I spoke to General Sales Manager Thomas Muller. I asked him for any good news. “One thing that has not slowed is our Wedding Bookings, a few changed dates, but we haven't lost any to the recent scare. Overall we are down 40% but this is changing daily.  We hope to be back to normal by the end of Summer.  We are fortunate in that we have several hotels in the area and were able to consolidate our bookings, allowing us to close a few.  All will be back open within a few weeks.”  More information on this resort can be found here.

Near Playa de la Carmen is the famous Eco Par Xcaret.  I met with Aura Maristany who is the special events manager.  She gave me a tour of the incredible selection of Wedding sites that they have to offer.  Not that many know that Xcaret is available for weddings.  This has got to be one of the most exotic locals for a wedding one can find.

At night when the park is closing, they will let your party enter, your path will be lit by candles and torches as you enter thru passages carved from living rocks alongside flowing rivers, drums and flutes greet you.  Mayan ruins surround you and you may choose an open air church that overlooks the jungles, or a huge underground cave where the alter is above a pool of clear turquoise water or choose a private cove with the surf pounding in the background. They can handle intimate weddings of 60 or up to 800.  You can find great pics and more info here: http://www.xcaretweddings.com/

I asked Ms. Maristany how the park was doing, “we are at about 50% of normal but our Wedding Bookings have remained the same, for this we are very happy.”  So this theme is repeated at another local. 

Packing my bags to head home and I am selfishly thinking, this flu thing was kinda good for me.  How?  Nothing is crowded now, every hotel is offering some kind of deal, and nothing has changed. You can still enjoy those gorgeous white sand beaches and turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.  I arrive at the airport and have lots of places where I can sit. 

Why not let the Flu Boo be good for you? 

About the Author

Herb Rubinstein lives and works in Santa Barbara, California. A veteran world traveler, Mr. Rubinstein has published many travel stories. "I especially like Eco Adventure stories."

You may read some of these stories at http://travelwritingdude.wordpress.com.

Photos courtesy Herb Rubinstein