Lindo Mar Retaining Wall Collapses
No one hurt but resort closes temporarily

On Saturday, November 4, 2006 at 2:45 p.m., the retaining wall between the parking lot and the rooms at Lindo Mar collapsed dislodging two propane tanks and sending tons of dirt and rubble down in front of units 101 and 201. To ensure their safety, all the guests were evacuated immediately. Engineers and geo techs have since advised that it is best not to occupy the rooms building until the damage is thoroughly surveyed.

Trading Places International and Lindo Mar staff have been diligently working all day, every day to acquire rooms for inbound guests. So far their efforts have been successful but are on a week-to-week basis. The bad news is that it appears Lindo Mar will not be able to house any guests until at least January 6, 2007. Everyone scheduled to go to Lindo Mar before then will be contacted by Trading Places International about a week before their arrival date regarding alternate accommodations. If you can cancel and reschedule your vacation get in touch with TPI at 1-800-365-1048 and ask for the Reservation Department, especially if you have a reservation for December 23 or December 30.

Adjustments have been made to staffing to cut down on expenses. A number of staff members are not working, either by volunteering to take vacation time or stay home with or without pay. A schedule has been worked that keeps most of them working, but with fewer hours. Salaried department heads have been asked to voluntarily give up one day of work each two-week pay period.

The restaurant is fully operational and doing good business. Because the elevator is not being used (another safety precaution), guests are being transported to and from the lobby and restaurant in a rented van.

Several (at least six) engineers and geo techs – including two from California – have looked at the collapse and will be presenting reports soon.

On the bright side, the onsite staff has proved once again that they are the best in Puerto Vallarta. We saw it first when Hurricane Kenna went by, we saw it at the beginning of September 2006 when the area was again threatened by a hurricane, and it was proven beyond any doubt in the recent hectic days. The same can be said for the TPI reservation staff and supervisors.

We will update this site as needed until there is a resolution. Please feel free to contact TPI for more information.

Looking south toward where Casa Mirador used to be. The first clear balcony in the lower right is on Lindo Mar's third floor.

Damage to the second floor balcony.

Debris in front of unit 101.

View looking out from the doorway of unit 101.