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| This is the live webcam at North Beach / Playa Norte. |
Follow Isla Mujeres News & Events on Facebook for highlights of news & events, and more photos & videos
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News from the Municipal Facebook site..... ( FB page link)
There is a graphic for yesterday evening's whale shark festival activities (see events section below).
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FB News Sites about Isla Mujeres
Tvisla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres Al Dia
It has been 22 years since the Costa Occidental National Park of Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún and Punta Nizuc was officially established. LINK
The Costa Occidental Protected Natural Area of Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc has a total area of 8,673.06.00 hectares. It is located by the Yucatan Peninsula, northeast of the state of Quintana Roo, on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, and isone of Mexicos 182 natural treasures. It all began in the year of 1963 with a small community that inhabited Isla Mujeres, who promoted the first efforts to protect the reefs that lie in this National Park. Thanks to the support of the "Center for Aquatic Sports Studies of Mexico"(“Centro de estudios deportivos acuáticos de México”), they managed to achieve the first protective action at the Federal level on February 7, 1973, through the decree establishing a protective zone for marine flora and fauna, off the western zone of Isla Mujeres, including the reefs of Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc.
It was after many efforts that on July 19, 1996 it was federally decreed, that the National Marine Park, due to its ecological attributes and reef formations, constitutes a natural resource of great importance for the regional economy. Later on June 7, 2000, it was recategorized as the Costa Occidental National Park of Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún and Punta Nizuc, as we know it today.
Twenty-two years after its decree, this Natural Protected Area is one of the most visited sites in Mexico, with more than 22 million tourists who have dived around incredible reefs that enjoy good health, thanks to conservation strategies , surveillance, restoration and monitoring carried out by our CONANP staff.
This valuable natural scenario, has impressive artificial habitats such as "reef balls". In addition, you can see sunken ships, large seagrass meadows, an underwater museum and a coral nursery with capacity to house more than 4,000 "acropora" fragments (a type of coral).
Here is where the park is located (from Wikipedia/Landsat)
Noti Isla Mujeres
IM Noticias
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From por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles & photos
1000's of tourists arrived to the island
Miles de turistas arribaron a la isla [+] Ver masFull article at this link
On Saturday, the number of tourists increased for the summer holiday season, the entire fleet of ferries and other boats, including the recreational boats, were transporting visitors to the island at maximum capacity, according to port authorities. By midday, 30 smaller boats from Puerto Juarez had arrived with a maximum number of passengers, to tour around the island, according to a report at their main point of arrival, at the Velázquez family's dock.
It is estimated that about 20,000 visitors would arrive on Saturday, and the beaches were full by noon. By afternoon, the 830 golf carts had been rented, and tourists were visiting attractions including Punta Sur, Garrafón, Tortugranja, Mundaca, Sac-bajo, and the Caribbean Malecó, among others.
Nautical tourism was very busy also, and included trips to Isla Contoy National Park, underwater diving; observing and swimming with the whale sharks, as well as snorkeling at MUSA, Manchones, El Meco, Farito and Sac-bajo.
The "Isla Blanca" ferry was transporting tourists from Punta Sam without problems, and the main Maritime Terminal was full from 10 am onward. As of noon, the security forces for the three levels of government were reporting a 'saldo blanco' (no serious incidents), and care continues to be given to tourists who suffer heat stress, from the Red Cross and the Navy (and the lifeguards of Civil Protection). Children and the elderly are advised to avoid being out in the heat of the day, avoid strong sun, stay in the shade, and stay hydrated.
No sargasso seaweed problems on the isle
Sin problemas por el sargazo en la isla. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
The two main beaches of Isla Mujeres are free of sargassum, and the little that arrives is removed at an early hour by the personnel with ZOFEMAT (Federal Zone agency) and employees of the companies who hold concessions on the beach.
The white sands are cleaned daily before the people start arriving, so they are pristine, unlike the beaches of Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya, Tulum and the other areas of Quintana Roo, which are full of seaweed that has built up massively in recent weeks.
This phenomenon will continue throughout the summer, but due to the geographical condition of Isla Mujeres, there is not much here, so with the permanent cleaning work, the issue is being dealt with successfully.
Holbox also has no problem, another Mexican paradise that is preferred by national and foreign tourism this season. Many visitors have begun to look for these clean places to enjoy their vacations without concerns.
In the morning, at midday and in the afternoon, you can see the clean beaches, with the cleaning staff and even foreign volunteers who are motivating residents to not allow cigarette butts to be left in the sand and other pollutants; some ask service providers like waiters to make that observation to their customers to avoid taking plastics by the sea and then cause problems to fish and other marine species that try to eat it.
Also SEMAR (Department of the Navy) made the same exhortation so that no garbage reaches the sea during this holiday season, and encouraging minors about this issue is of vital importance because they are more sensitive than adults.
Preventing flooding in case of rain
Previenen inundaciones en caso de lluvia+] Ver masFull article at this link
To prevent flooding in the upcoming rainy season, the staff of Civil Protection have been cleaning the entire storm drain system, including the network of the Sports Unit of the Salina Chica neighborhood, which includes the drainage channel of thousands of cubic meters for the Salina Grande lake.
Last month a general cleaning was done, and dozens of cubic meters of sediment was removed from the network, including in the colonias of La Gloria, Cañotal, Meteorológica and downtown. Maintenance and preventative cleaning is being provided for the various kilometers of this urban infrastructure, to prevent flooding which can occur when the drains are clogged with litter.
Regarding the problem of flooding on the bay side of Rueda Medina avenue, this is due to the fact that when the road was renovated nearly a decade ago, not enough ducts were built to drain off the rainwater, or even the seawater when it rises in level.
The Department of Civil Protection ask the residents not to throw trash in the streets because it ends up in the drains and is the main cause of clogging them up, which results in flooding. This is particularly important before the heavy rains that occur during the summertime. Trash must be in a public depository or stored indoors, to avoid this problem, and children should be taught this at home, because they are more sensitive to environmental causes.
Many visitors but low occupancy
Mucha afluencia pero poca ocupación [+] Ver masFull article at this link
Many tourists are arriving to the island daily during this summer vacation season, but 90% are day-visitors, who are not staying in hotels, or they are renting vacation homes, judging by the half-empty hotels, and according to their managers.
Mexican families are looking for more affordable prices, and hotels offering rooms in the range of 560 pesos and upwards are experiencing 60-70% occupancy, but for those that cost more than 2000 pesos, the situation changes. (~$30 vs ~$100usd)
As of noon on Saturday, Hotel "Berny" barely had one occupied room out of a total of 41 available spaces; but "Marcianito" had 11 occupied of 13. "Ninich" reported a good number of reservations for the remainder of the summer season, and their rates are 1500 pesos for a single room, 1800 for a double room and 2500 for a suite. (That's ~$75, ~$90, and ~$130.)
Hotel Berny charges 2145 pesos per air conditioned room with breakfast (~$110). At the beginning there is a discount of 12% and it could be extended to 20% when contact is made via telephone to the marketing department. Other hotels that have rooms available to serve Mexican families include the Carmelina, Caracol, and Francis Arlene, among others.
The vacation homes
Regarding the issue of vacation homes, the small hotel owners have been complaining for years that they represent unfair competition, and they want the three levels of government to regularize this segment, but it seems that no progress has been made on this issue and that the number of rentals of this type continues to increase.
Hoteliers say their frequent customers have been "pirated" by these people, noting, "Tourists arrive with suitcases and get into taxis, private golf carts, or rental carts and go to stay in those houses in the colonia neighborhoods."
(NOTE: Some vacation home and foreign owned rentals, such as MVC B&B are registered with the three levels of government, while, as noted in the article, many are not.)
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| View from the rooms. |
MaraVilla Caribe Bed & Beach Three rentals with large glass doors overlooking our white sand beach and the beautiful Caribbean sea, with kitchenettes & free WIFI. In the coastal neighborhood of Bachilleres, among upscale villas & boutique hotelitos, convenient to downtown or the colonias, yet separate. Quiet & Private.
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| Kitchen in a large studio. (Sur & Norte are identical) |
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| Kitchenette in small room, Medio. There's a table & chairs across from it & a double bed. |
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| A large slider opens from each of the 3 rooms onto the patio where each has a table & chairs, hammock & clotheslines. The BBQ is behind the pole, and the outdoor shower is outa the pic at left. |
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| Large studio (Norte), I'm standing in the kitchen. A queen & single bed. |
Free amenities such as hammocks, BBQ grills, outdoor shower, portable beach chairs & beach towels, washer & dryer, loungers. Breathtaking panoramic views from the rooftop terrace. Large sliding doors open to a patio & our backyard-beach, overlooking the Caribbean sea. Upstairs room also available. Downtown is ~ a mile away; if you don't feel like walking, flag a $2 taxi. Parking. You can enjoy the music & crowds downtown, then come home our quiet neighborhood of Bachilleres where you'll sleep to the sounds of the sea.. $275/$325/$425 wk $40/50/$65nt Monthly Discounts
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| Large studio (Sur) with Queen & Single bed. Slider door & view are behind me. |
Fine dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. Within ten minutes walk are a variety of restaurants including Mango Cafe, Brisas, Manolitos, La Chatita, Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, and the large department store-grocery , Chedraui. Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend Yoga classes a couple villas away at hotelito Casa Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks away in the village, as well as a variety of other stores and small local restaurants. It takes 20-30 minutes to walk downtown.
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| July 1 10:14 July 2 10:53 July 3 11:31 July 27 7:32 July 28 8:14 July 29 8:54 July 30 9:32 July 31 10:09 Painting by Pamela Haase Sunset ~7:25 Sunrise ~6:05 |
July Events
Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events |
Sunday, July 1 Election Day Polls open 7a-6p Alcohol will only be sold to foreigners with food purchase at businesses with a food license, until the 48 "Dry Law" expires at midnight. Mexico will electsa president for a single six-year term, and 628 members of the national congress, who for the first time in nearly a century can be reelected. Voters are also choosing nine governors, ~1600 mayors, and thousands of state and local lawmakers.
Monday, July 2 Mexico vs Brazil 9a World Cup Islanders can watch at the large screen on Playa Centro provided by the Posada, or at a variety of bars.
Wednesday, July 4 US Independence Day, may be celebrated in some bars
Friday, July 6th at 8pm at the Convention Center. Renatta Dance
Studio would like to invite you to our 6th annual end of school year
show! The theme is ‘Mexico Without Borders’ and the show includes more than 50 dancers and special performers. Join us for this wonderful dance and musical tribute to Mexico! Local island children from 4 years up to their teens will be performing, as well as professional dancers and special performers from the island and Cancun. Tickets are $50 pesos for adults and $30 for children in advance. And $70 pesos and $50 pesos at the door.
July 20 & 21 Friday & Saturday Barracuda Fishing Tournament
July 20-22 Fri, Sat, Sun. 11th Annual Whale Shark Festival
6:30p Inauguration of the Festival on the Town Square
7p Presentation by Biologist Pamela Vasquez of Saving Our Sharks on the Town Square
8p Performance by the Municipal Folklorico Troupe of Palenque Chiapas Latin Dancers Dance Studio
Saturday, July 21
6p Artisans Exposition and tasting of regional dishes
7p Presentation by Biologist Karen Fuentes of results of monitoring Manta Rays in the Mexican Caribbean
8p Folklorico dance performance by the dance troupes Al Son del Corozon de Isla Mujeres and Mestizas de Agua Salada de Isla Mujeres
Sunday, July 22
4p Children's Basketball Lightning Tournament at the court on the Town Square
7p Conference by Biologist Rafael de la Parra about Whale Sharks
8p Folklorico dance performance by the dance troupe of Silao Guanajuato and comedian Miramelindo
Sources for Weather Information:
LINK to Civil Protection Q Roo weather bulletin (Spanish)
LINK to Mexico National Weather Service (Spanish)
LINK to satellite images for the Mexico National Weather Service (Yucatan peninsula is under Satellite GOES Este, I recommend "Animacion")
LINK to GOES East Band 16 GIF (animation)
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres
LINK to Tropic Watch (in English)
LINK to NHC in US (in English)
LINK to Tropical Tidbits (in English)
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