In Cancun, It’s Back to the Beach

Resorts along Cancun beaches are again showcasing their white-sand beaches that have been the Yucatan’s primary attraction.

Hurricane Wilma, a Category 5 storm that slammed into the Yucatan coast in 2005, heavily damaged the shoreline and, in the ensuing years there was much erosion, causing the once-deep beaches to shrink to narrow swaths.

Local government started a $71 million beach restoration project in September to replenish all of Cancun’s hotel zone seashore. Most of the work has been completed, according to the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The bureau has a site where visitors can click an icon to follow the project. More than 2,000 tons of pipeline material was shipped to the destination and more than 1.3 billion gallons (6.1 million cubic meters) of sand used for the restoration.

The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun said in a statement that the project added a 300-foot-deep beach to its resort.

To highlight the restoration, resort started a beach celebration program that includes dining literally on the beach, salsa lessons and spa treatments, among other activities. On Saturdays the resort will offer Moonlight Fest, a Mexican beach lounge event with a bonfire and tropical fresh drinks on the beach under the stars.

In addition, two Real Resorts -- the Royal in Cancun and the Gran Caribe Real Cancun -- are celebrating the completion of their beach-restoration program with special winter offers.

At the adult-only Royal in Cancun, savings start from $539 per night for two people in a suite, including tax and gratuities. The family-friendly Gran Caribe Real Cancun set rates starting at $234 per night. In addition, at the Gran Caribe Real, kids under 12 stay free in their parents’ suite, and teens enjoy a 40 percent discount.