How is the beach post-Hurricane Dean?

[212eric]

This question keeps coming up and I have received mixed responses from actual travelers and the resorts themselves. The problem I have with the explanations from the resorts is that they have a reason to spin everything in a positive light. So my question to those who have recently returned, or any locals who have seen it for themselves:

What kind of condition is the beach in, especially from Punta Cancun at Km 9 to the Km 20 Club Med area?

Gracias a lot in advance,
212eric

[Viking5343]

I am also curious on how the beach is at the Golden Parnassus or Tucancun area if there is any info it would be apreciated. goin down in February

[raretail]

From what I could tell the beach in those locations is the same as it was before. The only place that I see much of a difference at all is from Carisa/Palma north to the forum. 2 weeks ago the beach was nice but now it is just pockets of sand. If you are familiar with this little area you know that this is an area that the beach comes and goes pretty frequently anyway.

[mixz1]

The beaches in front of the Ritz-Carlton, Parnassus, Le Meridien and Cancun Palace are, for all intents and purposes, gone. The Ritz is doing some repair work, although I don't know where they're getting the sand they're trucking in. Le Meridien and Ballenas are stripped down to the foundations, just like after Wilma.

[212eric]

Mixz1, thanks for the reply but I am left with a question; what is Ballenas?

212eric

[Klaw]

Originally Posted by 212eric

Mixz1, thanks for the reply but I am left with a question; what is Ballenas?

212eric

It's the name of the beach near the Marriott Casa Magna and The Gran Melia.

[mixz1]

Originally Posted by Klaw

It's the name of the beach near the Marriott Casa Magna and The Gran Melia.

Actually, Playa Ballenas is the allegedly public beach that sits between Le Meridien and the Cancun Palace. Access to the beach had been severely affected by the prolonged reconstruction of the Palace and now that an 18 story condo is being constructed next to Le Meridien, access had been compromised again. Now, it's gone, so the whole discussion is academic at best.

With the impending construction at Delphines, the mess at Ballenas, and Dolphin Discovery co-opting all public parking at Langosta, there seems to be just Tortugas and Marlin as the only easily accessible public beaches. It seems as though the government has sold out those of us who live here in favor of the developers. I also have yet to read of any plans to repair the newly damaged beaches.

[Klaw]

Originally Posted by mixz1

Actually, Playa Ballenas is the allegedly public beach that sits between Le Meridien and the Cancun Palace.

Can you not access it near the Marriott though?

One of my friends who lives in Cancun works at the Marriott and told me that he has his family meet him there after work on Sundays and they access the beach near the Marriott.

[212eric]

mixz1, ah so that's the Ballenas you mentioned. Okay then that leads me to my next question, what is supposedly going to be happening at Playa Delfines? I love that beach and would hate to see it lost to more development.

212eric

[mixz1]

Originally Posted by Klaw

Can you not access it near the Marriott though?

One of my friends who lives in Cancun works at the Marriott and told me that he has his family meet him there after work on Sundays and they access the beach near the Marriott.

Playa Ballenas lies in front of the stretch that encompasses the Ritz-Carlton, Le Meridien and Cancun Palace. The public access road is at KM 14.5 on Retorno del Rey, which is 1 block east of Kulkulcan Blvd. The road divides the Palace from the Meridien and is where the new condo tower is being built.

Technically I suppose you can reach any beach by walking along the water's edge, but Ballenas is where I describe it. I know, because I live there. It was one of the main reasons we bought our house. It's amazing how things change when the government sells you out to big money.

[mixz1]

Originally Posted by 212eric

mixz1, ah so that's the Ballenas you mentioned. Okay then that leads me to my next question, what is supposedly going to be happening at Playa Delfines? I love that beach and would hate to see it lost to more development.

212eric

Read this: http://www.cancuncare.com/forum/view...light=delfines

Basically, and I caution that it's hard to track down solid info, an Italian develper is building yet another condo complex across the street from Delfines (one wonders where the stores and roads are that will support all these 18 floor wonders). The story is that the developer also managed to buy a good part of Delfines to erect a sort of beach club for the condo. After much posturing about how Delfines was for the people, the land was sold, based on a promise by the developer to "maintain public access". Now, it appears as though the government is trying to buy back the land it sold, or at least that is the story. Somehow, it rings hollow. As Dangers (and Joni Mitchell) said, "They've paved paradise and put up a parking lot." The only difference is the color of the taxi.

[Klaw]

Originally Posted by mixz1

Technically I suppose you can reach any beach by walking along the water's edge, but Ballenas is where I describe it. I know, because I live there.

I wasn't questioning your answer...I was simply asking a question.

[mixz1]

Originally Posted by Klaw

I wasn't questioning your answer...I was simply asking a question.

And in re-reading my reply, I realize the tone was wrong. Obviously, this is an emotional issue for my family (one of our sons also owns a condo on Retorno del Rey) and I let it creep into my reply. Sorry if I offended you.

[whdream]

Anyone been up near the Riu Carobe lately?? How is that hotel doing?

[212eric]

Now I think I know what the project is, it is called Bay View Grand Island and it is being built to the west of the Hilton's golf course. It looks like a beautiful project with several buildings. It is supposed to be ready by October of 2009 and one of the selling points is that there will be a beach club, since obviously the development is going to be overlooking the lagoon. I doubt very highly that BVG Island would sell their rights to a beach club back to the government.

http://www.grandisland.com.mx/gi.html

212eric

[GONZO]

Originally Posted by 212eric

Now I think I know what the project is, it is called Bay View Grand Island and it is being built to the west of the Hilton's golf course. It looks like a beautiful project with several buildings. It is supposed to be ready by October of 2009 and one of the selling points is that there will be a beach club, since obviously the development is going to be overlooking the lagoon. I doubt very highly that BVG Island would sell their rights to a beach club back to the government.

http://www.grandisland.com.mx/gi.html

Now that there is enough to make me vomit :chuck: Say bye bye to another beautiful beach.

Isnt there some Mayan ruins and a muesum on that side of the lagoon??

Delfines was our favorite beach.......

[svtcobra242]

Ill have more info and picks later.I justr got back and the Beach is getting better and better by the day.
At the Oasis, Phase 1 has rocks and you are not allowed to swin there. But Phase 2 was awesome. we arrived last week on Wednesday and the beach was dull, but as the days went by it got better and better. Yesterday, it was beautiful.
Pictures to follow soon.
See ya .....