Villa La Estancia Residences in Riviera Nayarit is pleased and thankful to report that Nuevo Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit were unaffected by the passing of Hurricane Patricia on Friday October 23rd, 2015. Besides prolonged rain and a significant scare, Banderas Bay was spared the potentially catastrophic effects of the hurricane that was classified as category 5. It would seem that the Sierra Madre Mountains that surround Banderas Bay once again protected the area from a meteorological disaster.

Hurricane Patricia and Riviera Nayarit

Making the record books as one of the most intense hurricanes to have made landfall on the North and South American continents, Hurricane Patricia generated wind speeds of over 200 mph and one of the lowest ever recorded pressures. It was for this reason that the imminent threat of Hurricane Patricia to Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta was taken so seriously by local authorities, hotels and security forces. For the sake of precaution, Banderas Bay were held under a curfew from 2pm on Friday afternoon before Hurricane Patricia’s predicted time of landfall.

Fortunately for Banderas Bay, Hurricane Patricia’s route took a turn to the east, making landfall more than 150 miles south in a relatively unpopulated area (although there are many communities in need of intensive help for the clean up operation), where it quickly lost intensity once it hit the Sierra Madre Mountains. Within hours, Hurricane Patricia downgraded to a category 1 hurricane and by midday Saturday it was classed as a tropical storm. Protect by mountains, Banderas Bay and Riviera Nayarit was sheltered greatly from the potential gales of Hurricane Patricia which brought to our shores only rain with very little wind.

Villa La Estancia During Hurricane Patricia

Guest who were unable to evacuate, or who had decided to stay at Villa La Estancia in Riviera Nayarit were safe within its structures that have been built to withstand hurricane forces, although staff enforced the precautionary procedures providing safe havens for guests and removing all furniture from the beaches and pool areas that could potentially cause harm in the event of a hurricane.

It is worth noting that the area of Riviera Nayarit and Banderas Bay is not a major target for hurricanes in general as the Sierra Madre Mountains form a strong shield from the destructive forces of hurricane winds. However, when faced with the powerful forces of nature, the necessary precautions for the safety of guests and residents are the foremost concern of the team at Villa La Estancia.