Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on the path to recovery

Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, which includes the resorts of Cancun, Cozumel and the Mayan Riviera, is well on the road to recovery following last October's hurricane Wilma.

That is the message from Travelocity customers who have taken a holiday to Mexico in the last three months, 90 per cent of whom said they would recommend travel to the region.

But travellers should still be prepared to see an area that is still in recovery on many levels – the most obvious being cosmetic.

Reconstruction of hotels, restaurants and shops is widespread, but on the plus side the resorts are likely to be less busy than usual.

"It's as safe to travel to the Yucatan right now as it was before the hurricane but be prepared to encounter rebuilding efforts – it's a work in progress to varying degrees, and the Mayan Riviera is probably your best bet for peace and quiet," said Travelocity's Mexico editor Jennifer Catto.

"Many hotels in the region are using rebuilding funds to make upgrades and enhancements while under construction so booking now for the months ahead may mean snagging a great deal on what could be an upgraded hotel by the time you arrive."

According to Travelocity's on-the-ground teams, it is hard to tell that hurricane Wilma even affected the Mayan Riviera.

The coastline was largely spared due to the protective barrier offered by the island of Cozumel, which means beaches were not as eroded as in Cancun. Shops, restaurants, tourist sites and nightclubs are all back in business and hotels are aiming to return to normal soon.

Cancun suffered the harshest effects of hurricane Wilma, and while travellers can relax on the beach, construction continues with most hotels making improvements daily.

Beach erosion at Cancun means that some of the wider beaches are now smaller, but some areas gained beach.

In Cozumel, some of the island's beaches gained sand as a result of the hurricane, while others are being replenished by a government-sponsored programme. Some coral reef dive sites are still off limits while their natural recovery is in process.

Cozumel's beaches and hotels are expected to be fully recovered by May, but cruise ships will continue to dock offshore until the rebuilding of the docks is completed in the summer.