Cancun Hotels Still Lack Hurricane Shelters Despite Deadline

Cancun, Quintana Roo — At least 20 hotels in Cancun have failed to certify their hurricane shelters despite a June deadline, according to local civil protection authorities.

Antonio Riveroll Ribbon, director of Civil Protection for Benito Juarez municipality, said that of the nearly 110 hotels required to have certified shelters, only 88 have fully complied.

“We have 88 out of 110 that need to be ready. That’s a big advantage because we have more than 31,000 tourists. We have to keep pushing for the rest to finish,” Riveroll said.

The deadline for hotels to have shelters capable of protecting guests and staff in the event of a hurricane was June. Most of the noncompliant hotels are in the process of completing the necessary paperwork and inspections, officials said.

Riveroll urged hotels to use the coming days, when no storms are forecast, to finalize their preparations.

Authorities have met with the Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association to help ensure all properties meet civil protection requirements for the current hurricane season.

Riveroll warned that hotels that fail to comply could face sanctions, including possible closure.

“They will face penalties if they don’t have a shelter, which could go as far as shutting down the hotel. We haven’t reached that point because, fortunately, there’s no storm, but it’s part of the prevention protocol that we must have,” he said.

The municipal government has prepared 81 shelters — mostly schools — and one pet shelter for the hurricane season.