Puerto Rico

[Amy359]

Any updates on conditions in Puerto Rico?  If planning travel in December over the holidays, do you think it will be ready?

[Clare0]

@Amy359 I guess it all depends on what you mean by "ready" .  Undoubtedly the entire island has been seriously affected and the landscape, beaches, etc. are likely not in the same condition as before the hurricane.  The best way to find out is to contact hosts whose listings interest you by using the Contact Host link to find out what the conditions are now and what they are expected to be in December.  I'm sure the residents of Puerto Rico want to get back up and running quickly since the tourist trade is their life blood. 

If I could, I would go to Puerto Rico in a heartbeat, even in December.  After 9/11 many people went to New York if, for no other reason, than to show support for the city.  I would imagine that hosts there (whose homes were not destroyed) would very much appreciate this kind of support as well as their incomes have been affected by the devastation. 

It's up to you!  🙂

[Amy359]

Agreed, we do not want to cancel.  We just want to have electricity.  We have airline tickets and are trying to reserve a house now.  I have messaged several hosts and have not heard anything yet.  I don't know if they have the means to even communicate right now.  My husband has said let's just wait it out for a bit and we will here something.  Yes, we would like to support the island as well.  I know they will need the business.

[Clare0]

@Amy359 I can only imagine that they are in basic survival mode.  Last I heard the entire island was without electricity and likely without internet service as well.  I wouldn't expect any answers from hosts right now.  If a host's space wasn't destroyed, they are probably helping someone whose house was damaged.  

When these types of disasters happen, Airbnb encourages host who have space, provide it to others whose homes have been destroyed or uninhabitable.  Many, many hosts in Texas opened their homes for free. 

[Jenn23]

@Amy0when were you planning to go? I booked early March some time ago. I kept open communication with our host through Irma but have not heard from her since Maria. I also understand she may not be able to respond & surely has more immediate issues to attend to. We do not want to cancel if her rental is still habitable. I understand the island may not be as beautiful as before Maria but would like to be able to help the ecomony in general and our host specifically. However, this is also long anticapated vacation for our group so those expectations need to be weighed as well. I know our host has a 50% cancelation policy, but not sure if we are still held to that agreement? I know the hosts are only in control of their property, so if that is in good condition does that agreement stand even if the surroundings are not the same condition as when we reserved?

[Clare0]

@Jenn23 I'm sure Airbnb would consider it an Extenuating Circumstance and give you a full refund if you wanted to cancel.  I would recommend that if you think you might want to cancel, do it sooner than later, especially if the the home is habitable.  This way the host might be able to accept other bookings and not have a financial loss.  

Here is what Airbnb considers Extenuating Circumstances: 

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1320/what-is-airbnb-s-extenuating-circumstances-policy

[Jenn23]

Thank you @Clare This is good to know. I want to talk with our host too. I'm also concerned with her safety & how this would impact her. While we've only had message exchanges, she is a lovely person. Which makes it more difficult to decide what to do (versus canceling a hotel reservation).

[Clare0]

@Jenn23 Yeah, I can see that it would be a hard decision to make.  I don't think that anyone would blame you for cancelling, even likely the host.  It all depends on your expectations for the trip.  It would be almost guaranteed you will not find the same Puerto Rico you were envisioning when you first made your reservation.  But on the other hand, it might be a wholly different experience (but one you and your friends might not want).

It's entirely your decision.  As a host myself, I would appreciate that the decision be made sooner than later, however. 

[Teckie0]

We have an Airbnb booked in Puerto Rico for December. The damage looks very severe. We tried to cancel due to extenuating circumstances and have been given the runaround by Airbnb. The host would not refund our 50% and Airbnb wont do anything, either. I wouldn't cancel just yet.

[Carol343]

We leave for San Juan on Nov. 30th and booked a place in Arecibo which is quite far from San Juan.   We have not been able to communicate with the owner and we’re about to cancel and ask AirbNb to consider it extenuating circumstances.  Thank you for letting me know that they are being difficult about this.  Airbnb had a post on their website saying that reverse rations affected by hurricane Harvey and Irma could get a full refund.  I see absolutely nothing about Maria.  We have tried tocontact the owner unsuccessfully.  We don’t know if the house is still standing or if it is habitable.  We Need to rent a car for our stay but don’t want to commit to any other expenses until we know this is happening.  We were thinking we would be safer to stay in San Juan.  There would be a much higher chance of having water and electricity.  I am reading that there are still a lot of roads that are not passable.  It seems that the grocery stores are open but have empty shelves.  I don’t know why Airbnb is giving you the run around.  Maybe they want to keep our money in their bank account for as long as possible.  

[Carol343]

Thank you.  I was just about to cancel a late November reservation in Arecibo, P.R.  Is this still up in the air or were you finally able to resolve it with Airbnb?

[Carol343]

I have a December reservation and am unable to contact the owner to even find out if the house still exists.  I hear that the postal service is operating at about 90% and plan to try sending the owner a letter and enclose a self addressed envelope in hopes of getting some news.  If they have no power, they may not have access to our contact information to advise us.

[Robert635]

I've experienced the same after messaging my host by email and text.  Need to know the safety and condition of the rental.  Suggestions?

[Carol343]

You may not be hearing back from them because very few of them have electricity, internet or cell signal.  I already rented a house for early December before Hurricane Maria and have been unable to get in contact with the owner to even know if the house is still standing.

[Robert635]

I have a reservation for 35 nights in Dec.-Jan.  I've emailed and texted the host several times since Hurricane Maria, but haven't heard back.  Not sure of the safety or condition of the rental, and need advice about altering plans or requesting a refund.  Suggestions welcome!