Los Cabos tour operators and hotels assess damage

LOS CABOS, Mexico – According to the latest reports, the Mexican resort community of Los Cabos still has “no water, no electricity and almost nothing to eat” one week after Hurricane Odile caused an estimated $1 billion in damage with 125-mph winds.

The death toll from the storm has been raised to four people, officials said, including two South Korean tourists whose car was swept away in the flood, a German who died in a boat, and a British woman whose body was found on Saturday.

NBC is reporting that most Americans who were stranded in Los Cabos following the hurricane were on their way home by Saturday, according to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, although officials did not provide exact numbers of how many people remain in the area. U.S military planes were sent for a handful of Americans, but many who were left behind worried about looters, the lack of cellphone service and lawlessness, and some left on their own.

The U.S. Embassy assured visitors that “anyone remaining in the area who wishes to leave should be able to find a flight out of the area.” But many who were trying to get out this week complained about the lack of immediate aid from U.S. officials, and some complained that they would be charged $600 for chartered flights back home through the U.S. government.

Hotel Updates

Here is an updated look at the hotels and tour operators in the area.

The Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort is reporting that all tourists have departed the hotel as of last Friday. At this time, the resort is closed to arrivals and no longer accepting reservations. “We are presently assessing the full extent of physical damage and will share an update on hotel status once completed,” the hotel posts on its Facebook page. “We continue working with the local authorities and our tourism partners, as well as doing all we can to help our team members affected by the storm.”

Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar in Los Cabos is reporting that its staff members are safe and unharmed. Starwood has a team on the ground in Los Cabos focused on assisting them and there is in place a program to help them with their needs, both immediate and long term.

Barcelo Grand Faro Los Cabos will not be accepting any new guests until operations resume at the Los Cabos International Airport or further notice. The resort is currently in the process of assessing property damage but can confirm that all current guests and staff members are safe with the resort in an operational state. As of Friday, 94 guests had been evacuated.