This story about what happened at a hotel in Mexico is downright awful, though I suppose it could have ended worse.
Continue reading: Terrifying: Crocodile Attack At Marriott Puerto Vallarta
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Glad to hear she's OK, but swimming in the ocean at night by yourself is incredibly risky for a number of reasons including having your chances of getting bit by a shark or in this case a croc increased as they are more active during this time. The hotel doesn't own the ocean and unless they somehow forced her to do a night swim I don't see how they should he held liable for her getting attacked, this to me comes down to personal responsibility and common sense. However there might be a case in regards to the delay in her getting an ambulance.
Who knows if the comments are accurate but some reviews on TripAdvisor provide information. Maybe the hotel is posting scam reviews since some of the ones that appear suspicious take the hotel's side.
Do we know if the hotel is managed by Marriott International? I have been in Puerto Vallarta before. I believe the Westin and Marriott, which are separated by a few blocks, are both Marriott-managed. I could be wrong, but I believe that to be the case. So, Marriott may not be dealing with an irresponsible Mexican operator or franchisee here. Unlike the JW Marriott Los Cabos, which is not managed by Marriott.
I think the real issue is why does the hotel (or any hotel) have a beach in an area documented to have crocodiles or alligators? From a liability/risk management standpoint, even in a country like Mexico, you can't monitor a beach in a situation such as this 24/7. People are going to assume if there's a beach it's safe to use. If I owned the hotel, I would close-off beach access and instead have the best hotel pool in Puerto Vallarta.
The sign was mostly in Spanish.
Well color me shocked a resort in Mexico would have a sign in Spanish. American privilege means all signs must be in English.
By all indications Hummel wasn’t doing anything reckless and didn’t in any way think she was at risk, or she wouldn’t have gone into the ocean
HUGE assumption on your part. Going into other creatures habitats, whether at noon or midnight, the person assumes some responsibility for the risk.
Afraid of sharks? Been swimming with them for years. Not a problem. Most closer to shore are reef or benign types of sharks not interested in humans. In fact, human is not on sharks menu except for a few like bull or tiger.
Research and quit spreading false info.
It is a horrible thing that happened to her but blaming the hotel for not posting signs that are big enough is like blaming a coffee shop that they didn't warn you that coffee is hot.
I can see how she may have an issue with the speed and the quality of medical help provided after the incident but that's about it. Swimming in any ocean at night is dangerous (as others pointed out) and blaming the hotel for a wild animal attack in the wild environment (the ocean) is just strange.
Common sense seems to be an exceedingly rare virtue these days..
Should not have been in the sea at night where crocodiles are present, no fault of the hotel at all and basic common sense.
I fully expect Marriott to address this problem by imposing a "Reptile Protection Fee" on future guests to cover the additional signs and translation costs.
We are in a culture of doling out maximum sympathy; the victim NEVER has any responsibility.
Midnight swimming in a foreign country seems pretty unwise to me.
There are many things that can happen when you swim in the ocean- anywhere, particularly late at night, in a foreign country. American crocodiles are common along the tropical west coast of Mexico, but attacks on humans very rare. Silly to believe Marriott is somehow responsible for a tourist with little common sense.
The sign was mostly in Spanish, in Mexico oh my god what an outrage. I guess all signs in the US are in Chinese, German, Japanese,... This comment can only come from an American wherever I go all signs should be in my language. Sad
Lool, the sign is in Spanish (in Mexico!!!) and not lit up at night (!!!) but they say they saw it only afterwards anyway so they didn't see it any when it was lit by daylight. For bs like this you have rules for anything in US and the atmosphere is so suffocating.
"close off all beach access"?
The "liability/risk management" calculation: attacks are rare (unheard of during the day), signs are posted, if a guest takes a reckless risk, most people will be sympathetic, but won't blame the resort.
A lawsuit brought in Mexico over this would likely fail.
Why is the default reaction to assign blame? As others have noted, these things can happen when you go into the ocean, especially at night, but it's something thousands/millions of people do daily. It's a freak occurrence, move on.
WHO THE HELL GOES INTO THE BEACH LATE AT NIGHT?? RIGHT BEFORE MIDNIGHT? THIS PERSON WAS AN IDIOT. THAT IS ACTIVE HUNTING TIME FOR MANY ANIMALS< INCLUDING THOSE IN WATER. MARRIOTT HOLDS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LACK OF COMMON SENSE AND STUPIDITY DISPLAYED BY THE VICTIM.
The only potential liability Marriott should shoulder - in common sense land - is that for delaying her treatment and being unwilling to call an ambulance.
Signs in Spanish (in Mexico!) and not “closing the beach at night” (how would that even work? It’s a beach) are pretty ridiculous claims.
I'm going to Marriot Vallarta in some weeks time and it's in the middle of a quite huge city. Maybe the tamerican ourist was a fatty one like the norm and the croc thought was a seal.
What I'm confused is that I thought the only crocs to live in salty ocean water were the AU and South Asia ones.
Theres some river reaching the sea at short distance
Sure Patti, is Selma OK by the way??. I never thought so weird characters like you could be real....
Really terrifying, and maybe Marriott should make changes..but trying to minimize it by calling that a SMALL SIGN is overplaying your outrage hand, IMO. It's like 6ft tall, metal, and prominent, not some hand-lettered thing stuck into the sand.
If you are going to swim at night in any area with large predators, just slather yourself in BBQ sauce and stand by…
The American Crocodile is far less aggressive than the Nile or Australian crocs but, c’mon, this was an Uber Eats delivery that the animal wasn’t going to pass up.
Delaying treatment - if true - is where Marriott takes the blame.
Other than that, she is really really lucky. Crocodiles are skilled hunters, and not many live to tell the tale after an attack by a 12 foot crocodile. Extremely reckless to enter the ocean in the night, in an area close to a crocodile viewing spot.
Reminds me of my visit to the Andaman Islands where there was the possibility of Salties (Saltwater crocodiles -> can grow up to 20 feet, and the salt water makes them super aggressive) in the water, and plenty tourists would still enter the water -> Even when the lifeguards were verbally telling them not to, and there were plenty signs posted, in English, to that effect
Yeah, a not very intelligent girl decided to do a not very sensible thing. Namely, taking a "midnight swin" in tropical waters. Walking past the signs (that she was too stupid to try and read) and offering herself up as dinner to the crocodiles. She's lucky that she's still around to whine and complain that it's someone else's fault that she's a dumbass.
Another thing - The sign might be in Spanish, but it has images - and the images are well, not in Spanish
What the heck are you talking about? Or do you just like attacking people for no reason?
I’m less concerned about the responsibility of Marriott in terms of warning about swimming; there are always risks associated with open water swimming. My concern is more on the alleged delay in medical attention.
She's lucky it wasn't Shark Week on Discovery. What a "croc" swimming that late at night.
Alone.
And female.
Brains anyone?
The criticism of Marriott seems to be (1) the sign and (2) time it took to get an ambulance. As for (1), English might be helpful, but that picture of a croc that is clearly on the sign would have more effect on me than words. As for (2), I find Marriott’s reported hesitancy concerning, but did none of the bystanders have their phones? 911 works in PV and I think “Crocodile attack, ambulance, Marriott Marina” would cut through the language barrier. There’s also an English tourist police number. Anyway, looking forward to staying here in October, but not going to tell the wife about this until we’re there.
I happen to think we assume nature’s risks in the oceans. That being said, staff allegedly doing makeshift at best wound care and then not immediately calling an ambulance seems like aggravated negligence.
I stayed at this hotel recently. I can't recall if the signs were bilingual or not, but they had large images of a crocodile on them. I definitely remember seeing the signs.
The entire Mexican Pacific coast is crocodile habitat, and as tragic as this situation is, nearly all of the blame lies with the victim who foolishly went swimming at midnight in crocodile habitat. Luckily for Marriott, Mexico's tort laws are nothing like America's, so I can't imagine any lawsuit succeeding (nor can I imagine any valid basis to bring in the US instead).
Even if the hotel puts a wall, there will always be someone crossing, you known, just for fun. And when sh** happens, the family will blame the hotel because they should build a higher wall.
I mean, swimming at midnight is a normal thing? We live in a time where we as individuals are never accountable for our acts. Better to blame the others…
In Australia, they call this Tuesday.
I was in Port Douglas a few years ago and a tourist woman got killed by a croc by jumping in the water at night the day before we got there. Apparently she was with a friend and her friend couldn't save her. Imagine the trauma her friend has now seeing someone get swallowed up and dragged out to sea by a croc.
The sign may have been mostly in spanish but i bet it had a picture of a crocodile that made it pretty clear. And why should she be expecting a croc in the ocean? Its not like there arent salt water crocs and anyway they can swim in any body of water.
Predators are more active at night as well.
The author of this story is overly sympathetic to the girl. Its terrible that it happened but chill a little.
I loved mexico because of the more laid back proceed at your own risk attitude. For example when i went to Isla De Mujeres we climbed up into a lighthouse to get a view of the island and some guys there encouraged us to climb some old rickety ladder up into the top. If you fell off the ladder it was 20 or 30 feet to the stair case below but the view was amazing.
In the US you would never get the chance. Everybody is so afraid of lawsuits that all risk is removed from life.
Darwinism seems to be failing these days. Anti-Vaxx, Anti-Mask, Night swim where signs have "pictures".
I am glad she is OK, but she still deserves to face consequences of her own negligence.
Can't say I can blame the hotel or Marriott in anyway.
For the medical attention part, I'm giving the benefit of doubt here due to language barrier or Americans being afraid of having no insurance (yes our system is so f***ed you can go bankrupt).
It could go something like this
Hotel: Are you ok without any medical attention? (In Spanish because in panic you could do that when Spanish is your first language)
Victim: See, see, see, Look at my wound (In English because in panic you could do that when English is your first language)
Hotel: Ahh, the guest said Si. No ambulancia.
And it's not like the hotel has only phone to call an ambulance, anyone can call. Anyone should call not just wait for the hotel either.
It's a tragedy but no one is really to blame (except god, who likes to work miracles and challenge us at the same time?)
Yes the rest of the world drawing of crocodile is facing left, but American capitalism crocodiles are based on Lacoste which faces right.
If it's not facing right it's not Lacoste, therefore it's not a crocodile.
Yes the rest of the world drawing of crocodile is facing left, but American capitalism crocodiles are based on Lacoste which faces right.
If it's not facing right it's not Lacoste, therefore it's not a crocodile.
Who in their right freaking mind goes swimming at midnight!!! Helloooo!!! Chrissie Watkin’s it toomuch???
There is only one legal recourse and I doubt it will work. I'm sure she had been there earlier than her fateful swim and will have seen the sign in daylight. The delay in calling an ambulance however is weird. Someone is attacked on your property and you put a Band-Aid on the wound. Sorry, that doesn't cut it.
Gee you're all blaming her for going swimming when the news report says she was SITTING ON THE BEACH WITH A FRIEND and was DRAGGED INTO THE WATER by the crocodile!!!
She went swimming with crocodiles at midnight prime feeding time what does this dumbass expect? Shes one that would walk up to a bear or a bison in state park be attacked and blame it on the park. Stupid people do stupid things
A sign is no different than holding someone accountable for how they used an app because they didn't read the 99 page terms of agreement.
Regardless if we decide to victim blame here, the moment she was injured the hotel's primary responsibility should have been to make sure she got medical attention. You sort out the rest later. Thats the common sense thing to do and while I wouldn't expect a mom & pop hotel to necessarily get that, a hotel of marriott's stature should have protocols in place.
The Madness of Crowds. This is no one's fault but the girl's; and the parents. An 18 year old in Mexico without parents. Insane. Swimming in the ocean at midnight alone. Insane. I hope she fully recovers but lets quit pointing fingers at everyone except the one who went swimming.
This is a perfect example of the need for emergency evacuation insurance with a medical benefit. It is is very inexpensive and is included with most travel insurance policies. I Never leave the country without it.
The hotel is certainly at fault for not calling an ambulance in a timely manner.
especially when you are on vacation. How many people have found themselves walking along somewhere at night while on vacation when they would never do the same at home.
Also, I find it interesting from all the comments about "who goes swimming at midnight". Maybe its a regional thing but I know a whole lot of people who goes moonlight swimming for decades now.
Crazy stuff happens especially on vacation. I was in hyde park in London once and all of a sudden I heard screaming. I turn around and I saw 1 lone horse charging towards a mess of people including me. We all did a mad dive into the lawn to avoid the horse. Guessing it got loose in the stables.
I was in Puerto Vallarta for years and the river crocs were well known to hang out on the 6th green of the near by golf course...right on the river. Rivers run into the Ocean, so it makes perfect sense that they'd also be in the ocean close to the shore. Be Careful digging in the sand on the beach. A hole dug deeper than two feet will most likely result in finding a snake pit below the sand. Snakes come out at night as well !
Stayed at that hotel MANY times. Multiple hotels share same beach on both sides. There is a protected crocodile habitat all around the area. Not only are their normal signs, but also plenty of signs to keep an eye on your pets. Not Marriotts fault. I'm glad she's ok. There are GIGANTIC Crocs all over that area. IMHO signs are plentiful.
Not surprised. We lived in Puerto Vallarta for a while in the marina area (where the Marriott is located). Most resorts do post signs about the crocks, but most people ignore them, perhaps thinking it is a joke (?). Even the local children sometimes swim in the rivers knowing this. SO CRAZY! You can easily spot them even on the Marina Golf Course and some golfers even get close to them to check them out or to take their photo. We have a friend who use to love to take early morning walks on the beaches next to the Marina, but she stopped doing that because of the Crock danger even in the early morning hours. Crocks have also been spotted recently in the ocean at Los Muertes beach in old town in broad daylight.
Glad she is ok!! No reason why it took 4 hours to get this poor young girl to the hospital!! Someone needs to be held responsible for that!!
That makes no sense. She was going towards the water and the crocodile ran ashore and dragged her in. And since English is an international language, not only having signs for the myriad foreign tourists in English would make sense, but having signs posted in the lobby and something in the room. One sign that can't be seen at night isn't appropriate especially when who has a reasonable expectation that an alligator isn't going to run out of the OCEAN and drag you in from the beach. She wasn't traipsing through the everglades. And these resorts have plenty of English staff, so they knew she wanted an ambulance.
Well considering every damn thing in the states is also in Spanish, I'd say reciprocal courtesy isn't too far out of the question.
I was at the same hotel at the same time, but did not witness the attack. I heard about the attack at the pool, from a large group that was vacationing there. They also said that the previous night, around 4:30 AM, one of men in their party was chased to the beach stars by a crocodile (it is a narrow beach). They said he took a picture of the crocodile. I do not know if they notified hotel staff. I did not see a picture of the crocodile.
I was at the same hotel at the same time, but did not witness the attack. I heard about the attack at the pool, from a large group that was vacationing there. They also said that the previous night, around 4:30 AM, one of men in their party was chased to the beach stairs by a crocodile (it is a narrow beach). They said he took a picture of the crocodile. I do not know if they notified hotel staff. I did not see a picture of the crocodile.
Spent a week at Marina Puerto Vallarta, saw signs said beware of Crocodiles. I laughed, thought it was to scare of boat thief. Wrong!! Saw one sunning on the rocks! Stopped laughing!
If a two year old child can get dragged into the water and killed at Walt Disney World in the middle of the day (of all places), then how does a relatively more mature young adult, with the benefits of education and some life experience, consider it any safer to go to the water at night when sharks and crocodilians are most active?!
In case people still doesn't get it, it is dangerous to swim at night, period. There is just not enough people around to help you if you are drowning, unconscious, etc.. Also the visibility is so restricted that if you manage to yelp for help, they night not see you when scanning around.
The croc or shark or any wildlife is just in addition to what I mentioned above, so people, don't go for a "swim" at night, its just plain dangerous.
As for the girl, I wish her a speedy recovery.
Could people start taking some personal responsibility for their actions? Marriott didn’t force her out there at night. She made a personal choice, now she is living with the consequences. I don’t have a lot of sympathy for people who make risky choices.
Very American to deny any responsibility and to blame the other party.
Agree regarding the comment about expecting everything in English.
Also agree that the fact that this was at night needs to be taken into account and it's the ocean, let's face it. It's not like she went into the hotel pool!
If the other party does not warn you many automatically assume they should be responsible for not warning or telling you. How about some common sense.
We also don't know if the girl did anything to instigate the croc.
Just so you all know, beaches in Mexico are federal property, this means no hotel, condominium, house or the like own the beach. So, if you want to sue someone, sue the federal government, not even the PV municipality.
People apparently did not play the video. If you played it, you would know she wasn’t in the water swimming when a croc bit her. Instead she was sitting on sand with a friend hanging out. Perhaps she should not be hanging out on sand at night but I think most people would not be expecting a croc comes out of sea and drag someone into Pacific Ocean. If I ever visit Puerto Vallarta, I don’t think I would even contemplate swimming in the ocean during day time because who’s knows, crocs can get hungry during daytime too! Given there are fairly decent size signs on the beach, the only complaint she can lodge towards the hotel is delay of calling an ambulance. Given this resort is not in US, the best she can do to exact revenge is publicize it on tv (which she is doing) and write a nasty review on TripAdvisor. Personally I wouldn’t visit that resort now that I know a croc can jump out of ocean any time. Bora bora is more of my speed… just black tip sharks that ignores human.
“Marriot needs to be responsible for what happened” is lawyer speak for they need to cough up money for me and me new client.
@Patti: exactly. So American, we are Americans and therefore the world revolves around us and signs must have neon borders, in bright colored print, in English, with diagrams or we will sue. Good fing luck suing in Mexico and stay the f home if you can't deal with foreign languages or use common sense. Going for a swim in PV during the middle of the night is just not on the common sense list anyway. And my god, if you are going to be reckless, take out trip insurance.
Aren't all of the signs in Miami only in Spanish too ? Of course the sign was in Spanish, its Mexico. Also, you are expecting PV to be Norway ---- its not, its Mexico....
Marriott has 0 responsibility. They can't control creatures in the ocean. You know there is inherit risk of swimming in the ocean. Marriott cant post huge signs warning of crocodiles just because of 1 attack in 5 years. Nobody would stay there if there were signs all over warning of crocodiles
Great idk, maybe because %99 of the people staying at the resort are American? Dumbest comment ever.
She probably will have some legal recourse against the property, not necessarily for lack of warnings (this would be evaluated) but for the property's failure to provide proper aid in a timely fashion, which could have aggravated her injuries. This all depends on whether she can get her case into an American court, which will probably not be that difficult in that Marriott secured her business by advertising in the United States. Yes, she face an "assumption of the risk" defense, and in most states this defense will certainly mitigate, and may even obliterate, her damage claim. It all depends on the facts. Assuming she gets into an American court and the hotel's assumption the risk defense is unavailing, then she could collect some damages.
Very scary and misfortunate but this is very rare and I don't think the hotel could do any more without making guests paranoid. I don't think the hotel has any control of wild life so I think when we do things like this there's only some personal responsibility of the risks.
I lived and worked in Puerto Vallarta from 1980-1988. I had a little watersport business on the beach, renting out Jet skis, peddle boats and windsurfers. We also gave windsurf classes on the beach first and then continued providing instructions in the ocean. I was often water treading for hours!
During that time I have never seen a crocodile in the Bay called Bahia de Banderas. Never heard about the existence of crocodiles in Puerto Vallarta! It must be something that has developed after I left Vallarta in July 1988!
The Bay was famous for the huge number of dolphins that were often playing around! It is a wonderful bay with gorgeous sandy beaches all around! Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful town and an incredible place for a vacation!
To be 100% safe, just stay in the beautiful pool areas that the hotels have, or take a boat tour for an incredible view of Bahia de Banderas and the beautiful nature that surrounds it........and keep your feet out of the water!
I have lived and worked in multiple countries for more than 41 years and visited quite a few countries just for fun and Puerto Vallarta is definitely high on my list.
Therefore, crocodiles or no crocodiles I still give Puerto Vallarta and Mexico in general ***** 5 stars and 2 thumbs up!
Typical American response - who can I blame and Sue for a complete act of nature. I can’t see how this is Marriott’s fault in any way, unless of course, they put the crocodiles in the river ?!?. Good luck suing for this in Mexico! That’s what travel insurance is for.
Read this article in my feed and thought it was written by one of the other trabel bloggers, the sensationalist ones. Really surprised it was written by Lucky! Made me laugh… how dare in Mexico they don’t Have English signs! Newsflash: Mexico is anothee country not part of the USA, even if it has been invaded by US people during the pandemia. It is still and independent country with its own language.
A teenager swimming in the ocean at midnight?! You want to blame Marriott for that!! Since I was 4 years old I knew swimming in an ocean at dark is asking for trouble! That she had to pay thousands of dollars? Really? Have you seen the bill? It would have definitely been more expensive in the US, or would have not been admitted at all without insurance.
Please don’t write these biased sensationalist “All American” posts.
If you watched the video, the expert says its an American crocodile. So it must be the Americans that brought them there.
Absolutely, the hotel doesn't own the sea and not responsible for teaching its guests common sense.
If she sues, Marriott will surely move to dismiss on grounds "forum non conveniens," which basically means that she should sue in a Mexican court instead. It's a mushy legal standard but a hurdle for a plaintiff.
Even if she gets into an American court, it would still apply Mexican tort law, not California law, since the accident occurred there. Mexican tort law is way less generous than American law, when it comes to compensating injured plaintiffs.
Patti your ignorance is showing and it’s not cute.
First, as stated in the article Marriott is a US based company. Therefor English would be expected. You don’t seem too bright so let me help explain it in other ways for you. If you fly American Airlines to/from Mexico is your ticket all in Spanish? When you fly Delta to/from Japan is everything only in Japanese?
Jesus Patti do you always go so far out of your way to act so woke?
Patti you’re really striking out left and right here. You just have no clue about anything you post. I’m embarrassed for you.
I live very close to Cape Cod which is the Great White capital from June-October due to several factors, a primary one being the seals they feast on. Every summer there’s typically at least one attack on a human and it’s ALWAYS near the shore. It’s never miles and miles out in the open ocean.
I don’t believe for a second you’ve been swimming with sharks for years. I do believe you’re one of those people who think and act like they know it all. Please stop.
But since the sign is in Spanish not French, I'd say it's definitely not Lacoste!
Just got back from PVR last night. How would the Marriott have any responsibility here? It's an ocean. There are signs, (albeit in Spanish in a SPANISH SPEAKING country,) warning about crocs. Even if you don't understand Spanish, I feel like the pictures of crocodiles SHOULD seem obvious. Night swimming in the ocean...♀️
It's terrible what happened, but SO NOT on the Marriott.
Jake 212
I travel internationally quite often. I rarely expect everything in other non English speaking countries to be written just for me.
Do you expect a French based company with a store in America to have all their signs in French?
Comparing air travel, where English is the universal language of ATC and pilots to any other company is just laughable.
I'm thinking I'm not the "entitled" on here.
Jake212
Give it up. I not only travel internationally a lot but am an underwater photographer which means I spend a lot of time in the water with sharks.
In fact, just returned from a couple of weeks on the Red Sea and Gulf of Arabia.
I've been with Chris Fallows (and the Discovery Channel crew) in South Africa. Jimmy Partington at Guadalupe and Rodney Fox in Australia.
I'm afraid you are just continuing to look foolish.
Marriott and the hotel have absolutely no responsibility here.
Going into the ocean would always come with a certain risk. The sea is full of animals, some of them beging aggressive, poisonous or dangerous to humans. A late night swim in the ocean in the dark is extremly careless, most sea animals are active by night.
Do we really want to have signs in all kind of languages on every beach? I don't. Do some research first and educate your children that the sea is not a pool.
Do we want to have a sign before every kind of risk in our lives?
I visit this hotel frequently. This is unnerving. I'm in the process of investigating at least one report from another witness that contradicts (apparently) the length of time the ambulance took. I agree with James here that any alleged delay in calling an ambulance is troubling as an artery could have bled out, etc. But, we all should probably check our health insurance or any other insurance when traveling to Mexico. A hospital trip there can be pricey. It's a tough situation, glad she's ok. I also wonder how dangerous it is to swim during day? I and my children have spent hours right in that ocean, only at day time.
Anyone who travels WITHOUT travel insurance do so at their own perils. Hopefully this American tourist has learned her lesson and will avail herself to PROPER Insurance coverage next time she leaves the country for vacation.
It was my sister and her Gfriend and she was not in the water I have photos of where they where and NO signs where there. The hospital came out and said 7500.00 to treat her my sister did not have that type of room on her card they came back 20 min later saying ok we can do for 3500.00 SMH Marriot did refund 3 days of her hotel stay and that is all 🙁 My niece is the real hero here besides Hummel She pulled and playe d tug of war with Hummel as the rope, she did break free and then tripped on the sand and it came out and grabbed her other leg thats when the help aarrived for that. Again they where NOT in the water and no signs I see in the photos I have
I see your point, but logic also suggests that any signage would reflect the most commonly spoken languages among their clientele. For those who make the argument that a single Spanish-only sign is appropriate, I suggest you go to trip advisor and review the photos of the property. I've noticed two safety signs, all of which are written in multiple languages. Whether or not there is an image accompanying the sign also matters.
Furthermore, a huge number of American tourists travel to PVR, so I can't imagine all of their signage (safety or otherwise) is written in Spanish. I've never been to Marriott PVR, but I don't think it's unreasonable for this safety sign to be written in the same languages used throughout the property...
P.S. People should learn Spanish. It's a great language.
Just realized that you mention pictures of crocodiles...
Regardless of the signage, it sounds like she was sitting on the beach at night, which I'm sure we've all done before. It makes me wonder how safe it is to swim there during the day...
What an idiot! Candidate for a Darwin Award right there. You NEVER swim in the sea at night. If the daftie didn't know that, then maybe they should have read more books. Definitely not the hotel's fault. Thank goodness the world is not the USA - sue, sue, sue, or maybe just take responsibility for your own mistakes.
I agree that Marriott should have been more vigilant in warning guests, as you note. I am surprised by the callousness of the comments - it was a young 18-year old who should not be expected to be aware of that, particularly if there were no clear warnings in english. I expect the callous commenters have done a number of ignorant things where they got lucky and didn't get harmed - but clearly do not engage in self-reflection. I think Marriott is partly - and perhaps fully responsible - and should pay for some or all of the costs.
Absolutely no one should ever go swimming at night, in an unfamiliar resort. It's one thing if you've swam in some body of water you're familiar with and you "do it all the time" then sure I'd understand the lack of having your guard up. But in this scenario it's common sense 101 that you DON'T enter unfamiliar waters, alone and especially at at night. Nature is typically always trying to kill you. The only thing I have a problem with, is the claim that the hospital staff did not help her and it took four hours to attend to her injuries which sound like they were pretty severe if she was unable to walk. I think it's on the hotel at the time of the incident to then assist the guest with emergency attention. You can't just build a resort near the water (jellyfish, rip tides, sharks, etc.) and then not have emergency procedures in place for your guests. That's ALSO common sense 101. Then again that's why I'm so pessimistic, I know that most companies, corporate and otherwise, don't REALLY care that much about the people they're serving when sh** gets real. Always take care of yourself. Don't assume someone else will.