Destroyed by Hurricane Jova in 2011, Barra Navidad had only just got back on its feet, after millions of dollars had been invested in rehabilitating the decimated beach zone.

Patricia strengthened from a tropical storm into a major hurricane in less than 36 hours.

Authorities in Jalisco and Coloma had prepared for the worst case scenario as Hurricane Patricia roared its way to the Pacific coast Friday evening.  With winds of up to 200 mph, Patricia had developed into a category five hurricane in less than 24 hours – the strongest ever measured by the U.S. National Hurricane Center. Some weather experts  described it as a potentially “catastrophic” event – a warning that prompted authorities in Jalisco and Colima to take unprecedented prevention measures.

The vast majority of tourists visiting Puerto Vallarta have been successfully evacuated, Jalisco Tourism Secretary Enrique Ramos Flores  confirmed Friday around 2:30 p.m. Others that failed to make it out are beng housed in local shelters.

“Extremely dangerous and potentially catastrophic “ Hurricane Patricia was upgraded to Category 5 late Thursday  and is expected make landfall on the southern Jalisco coast Friday afternoon or evening.

Tourism is on the rise everywhere in Mexico and nowhere more so than in Puerto Vallarta.