It’s been a hell of a last couple of years. We’ve seen devastating natural disasters domestically, with raging wildfires up and down California and flooding in the Midwest, in addition to tragedies overseas as well, from hurricanes in the Caribbean to deadly earthquakes in Indonesia and Mexico. In many of these places, hotels and historic sights are back up and running, yet visitors have been slow to return. Which is just one of the many reasons why you should go now.
Santa Rosa, California
The Tubbs Fire, which swept Sonoma County in October 2017, burned more than 5,600 buildings, many in the wine-country town of Santa Rosa, which is still in the process of rebuilding. Don’t let that stop you from going, though, asthere’s plenty of adventure to be had and good options open for business.Sections of trails in 5,200-acre —a haven for mountain bikers and trail runners—reopened in April. After your ride, stop into the , where beer lovers wait hours once a year for pints of the cult favorite Pliny the Elder. The wine-tasting room was demolished in the fire, buta new space is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
The mid-century-style (from $178) housed refugees displaced by the fire and now has an on-site bike-repair shop and a bicycle sommelier for all your wine and cycling needs. Or check out (from $259), which reopened in nearby Glen Ellen in August 2018 followinga ten-month renovation that updated several damaged cottages.
Mexico City
The 7.1-magnitude Puebla earthquake hit Mexico City in September 2018and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people and damageto thousands of buildings and monuments. However, reconstruction has been steady ever since, and the city is now prime for visitors.The third-highest peak in Mexico, the 17,170-foot Iztaccíhuatlvolcano, is just two hours from the city— leads guided trips there and takes care of transportation and lodging.
The is opening a new property in Mexico City this year, or you can check into the(from $175), a hip boutique hotel in an artsy corner of the country’s capital. This funky, high-elevation destination (7,382 feet above sea level) has must-seeart museums, like the Museo Frida Kahlo and theTamayo Museum. There’s also a thriving food scene, with some of the best street tacos on the planet.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Hurricanes Irma and Maria nailed the Caribbean in the fall of 2017, causing far-reaching destruction and fatalities. The island of Puerto Rico is on its way back to itsformer self. Take a surf lesson, go snorkeling off a catamaran, or kayak at night in a bioluminescent bay, where the tiny organisms have returned brighterthan before. Crews in are still doing debris removal and repairing power lines, but select hiking trails, waterfalls, and observation areas have reopened after the hurricane.
Stay at the (from $229) or the (from $415), which first opened in 1949 and where the original piñacolada is said to have been made, reopened in May of this year after a $150 millionrenovation.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
When theKilauea volcanoerupted in May 2018, it closed down Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and affected travelers heading to that part of the Big Island, but the park is getting. The majesticKilaeua Iki Trail is mostly open, and its switchbacks were recently repaired after an earthquake loosened large bouldersthat impeded the path.Don’t miss a stroll on the black-sand shoresof, which reopened in Decemberwith a new access road (lava flow covered the former one).
The (from $235), a unique lodge with campsites located within the park boundary, reopened in October.
Ellicott City, Maryland
Imagine a town getting hit by athousand-year flood, then, two years later, it happens again. That’s what occurred in Ellicott City, which was pounded by a heavy-duty rainstorm and subsequent flash flooding that soaked its Main Street in 2016. A similarly intense storm hit again in May 2018. The town has dealt with millions of dollars in damages and lost tourism revenue. But nowit’s ready for visitors again: itswelcome center reopened in August 2018. Make a day trip to 16,043-acre , where you can kayak the Patapsco River, hike over a swinging bridge, or mountain-bike more than100 miles of well-maintained trails. The park is nicknamed Moab Eastfor a reason: mountain bikers from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore love this place.
(from $131) experienced flooding in both storms and housed people during the crisis but is now restored.