Hurricane Kenna

Thank you all for your updates. We are still looking forward to our trip on Sunday to PV. After we arrive, we will try to give an update via internet especially of the nuevo area.

Kathy

what about Yelapa? How did they make out in the storm?

We love Puerto Vallarta and the people there. We consider Puerto Vallarta our second home. We are devastated by the immense destruction and the suffering of the people there. Does anyone have information on how we may send money to help out the local people there? Have any local U.S. groups started to collect to help the people there? We very much want to help.

Thanks. Help PV

How is the area of Fiesta Mexicana, Los Tules? Scheduled to arrive for 2 wk. visit 11/2?

My husband and I were supposed to come down to Punta Mita right after Christmas. Anyone know how it is out there, specifically the El Anclote condo complex? Thank you.

Hola Ana
Many thanks for your report.
We have been getting updates from JR AND PMT (very much appreciated).
It is nice to see a rep from one of the hotels taking the time and effort to placete the potential tourists.
Gracias
Trevor.

Now that some time has passed and the Malecon is being rebuilt/repaired, what exactly is the status of the Malecon and those wonderful statues? Are most of them gone for good? It just wont seem like the Malecon without the statues.

Can anyone advise of how the beaches faired, and can we expect to use one nearby this xmas ?

Thanks in advance

Just returned today from weeks vacation in PV, so I will provide some details on the state of PV from the point of view of a tourist.
Before leaving to PV I was reading the boards to attain information of the state of PV. Unfortunately it seems many of the postings must be from locals who want to downplay the damage to their city.
The Malceon (sp?): Most of the shops are open and the traffic is one lane only. The walkway that use to be along the Malceon is closed. A large barrier is located along the water side of the street due to damage from the hurricane. Along the walkway are guards of some sort, to keep people away from that area, as it is closed. From what I could see the walkway sustained alot of damage, areas of the breakwall are gone, concrete missing from areas of the walkway. Below the breakwall, from what I was told use to be a beach, currently it is filled with very large rocks and is inaccessible.
In pictures I have seen many sculptures along this area, the seahorse remains and another which escapes me at this time are still standing.
They seem to be constantly working on repairing this area, but since I am not privy to construction timelines, I have no idea how long it will take to repair.
Please note this is only one street, as the remainder of the downtown area around the malceon that I visited seemed fine, no substantial damage noted.

Hotels: Stayed at the Riu Jalisco, before going I was really worried about the Riu since I had read good and bad postings. The staff was wonderful, I had no real problems all week. The hotel itself is beautiful, they are working hard to restore the gardens near the beach area. In the week that I was their it was unbelievable how much was completed. They are almost at the point where you would not even know a hurricane had been though. The food is buffet style, generally a good selection, average.

Due to flight delays I also stayed at the Fiesta Americana for one night. The hotel itself is o.k. but the pool and beach area sustained substantial damage. The entire area, which includes the pool is closed off and looks like a big mess.

During my trip, I noticed the locals really downplaying the damage of the hurricane, and I do believe some hotels may have taken this chance to close the hotel to do some renovations.

As for the mosquito problem did not hear anything about it when I was there. Only had one mosquite bite me and the rest of the party I was with received none.

All in all, I enjoyed Puerto Vallarta quite a bit. Although it would have been nice to walk along the malceon boardwalk, it by no way dampend my trip. Just be careful at which hotel you are staying at.

For those who are intested I found some photos of the Malecon and other areas that were taken after the storm and show some of the damage. I know this is starting to be somewhat old news now and that repairs are apparently well underway, but the photos are interesting none-the-less, so here they are:

http://community.webshots.com/album/55167195AiNYlj

Ken

Do you know how we can help our favorite local businesses (besides, of course, coming back as usual)? Specifically, La Palapa, The bar and restaurant at El Set, Las Palomas?

Please advise of any general or specific \"fund\" we can contribute to.

Thank you for the comprehensive report on the true state of our much loved PV.