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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)
This infographic, in honor of World Tourism Day, was posted by the Mayor, who notes there was a 25% increase in tourism this summer vacation season, compared to last year.
The graphic says the isle has had 1.9 million visitors so far this year, to August. That's a 14% increase over last year, and more than the entire year of 2015. Depending on whether this includes August or not, it's about 8000 or 9000 per day.
In two years, from 2015 to 2017, annual arrivals increased by 425,000 visitors, from nearly 1.9 million to over 2.3 million. (Isla Mujeres became a Pueblo Magico in the fall of 2015.)
It notes that 38% of visitors return to the isle coming from the USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, and Israel. It says most visitors stay 2-3 nights & there's been an increase of 8% in hotel occupancy.
Average annual hotel occupancy is given as 80%, but this probably includes the mainland area of the municipality, where the stats are higher.
One in five visitors (20%) chose to tour around in a golf cart and about every third one hit the beach. The breakdown is: 30% Beach & sun, 27% Aquatic activities, 20% Touring in a golf cart, 12% Local attractions, 6% Diving, 3% Nightlife.
It also says that 81% of visitors are 1-4 people, and most are between the ages of 25 & 50.
Profile of Isla Mujeres tourism for World Tourism Day.
It says:
81% are 1-4 people traveling together (couples/families).
Between 25 and 50 years old
38% of visitors returning to this destination are from: (Shows flags of USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, and Israel.)
Method of Transportation
53% Naviera (lit. shipping company)
41% Ferry
5% Tour
1% Their own boat
2-3 nights stay
80%: Average hotel occupancy annually
8% increase in the past year
Activities
30% Beach & sun
27% Aquatic activities
20% Touring in a golf cart
12% Local attractions
6% Diving
3% Nightlife
Visitor Arrivals
Year Number Percent increase
2015 1,898,340
2016 2,152,312 13.37%
2017 2,323,670 7.9%
2018 1,927,009 14.0% increase thru August
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FB News Sites about Isla Mujeres
Tvisla Mujeres
Work has temporarily been suspended on construction of the University that is a project of the Catholic congregation. (photo)
In Mexico City, the legislator from Quintana Roo was named President of the Tourism Commission of the legislative body (Camara de Diputados). He said he will contribute to the legislative work toward projects such as the Tren Maya/Mayan Train and he spoke about the importance of promoting all the tourism destinations of Mexico.
During a meeting with various municipal department directors, the Mayor gave assurances that the work will continue concerning the sargasso. The government and the community are working together. LINK
As part of the actions being carried out by the Government of Quintana Roo to combat sargasso that has arrived to the coasts of the state, on Friday the municipal president of Isla Mujeres, Juan Carrillo Soberanis, held an informative meeting in which the Undersecretariat of Tourism, the Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (SEMA) and the governor's office participated.
The main objective is to work in a coordinated manner to prevent any type of problems in case this algae reaches the municipality, because although Isla Mujeres is one of the few destinations that have not been affected, the sargasso is expected to continue arriving to the coasts of the state.
Virgilio Gómez Morales, private secretary of the governor of Quintana Roo, Carlos Joaquín González, thanked Mr. Carrillo Soberanis for the efforts to keep Isla Mujeres free of sargasso and noted that the main objective of the state government is to support, guide and accompany citizens of the municipality with attending to this issue.
He said, "In Isla Mujeres an extraordinary effort has been made to keep the beaches free of sargasso, and we can only invite the island government to continue working in a coordinated manner to keep the beaches clean, as the greatest benefit is for society and the visitors."
During the meeting, Carrillo Soberanis thanked the state government and the governor, Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez, for their support with these preventive works, and gave a report on the activities that have been carried out throughout the municipality to keep the main beaches clean, particularly Playa Centro and Playa Norte.
The Mayor said, "Starting early every day, personnel with ZOFEMAT (the federal zone agency) have been working on the beaches of Isla Mujeres. It is an arduous job that has allowed us to stay free of sargasso for the benefit of the entire island community, however, we are in the best position to carry out the necessary preventive work."
The atypical arrival of the algae started in June, so Isla Mujeres City Council redoubled its efforts to implement the Temporary Employment Program Playas Limpias 2018 and mechanical cleaning to free Playa Norte, with the support of three machines, one backhoe, a 'beach' sweeper and a raker, with participation by public officials, as well as the community and private initiative.
The meeting was also attended by Luis de Potestad, undersecretary of Planning and Tourism Development of the Ministry of Tourism; Jafit Montalvo, representative of SEMA and Kerem Pinto Aguilar, general director of ZOFEMAT in Isla Mujeres.
Rabies Vaccination Program ends Saturday LINK
The vectors department of the Ministry of Health is carrying out a rabies vaccination campaign for cats and dogs, which began on Sept. 27 and ends on Sept. 29th, with a goal of applying about 360 doses of the vaccine. There are two modules for each day of the campaign, giving out a total of 60 each per day, for a total of 120 per day and 360 for the campaign. Each module administered 60 doses on Thursday, but at midday on Friday, each had only given about 30 vaccinations. On the first day, they were located in colonia La Gloria and Amplification la Gloria and on Friday they were at the kiosk in colonia Salina Chica and at the park in Salina Grande. On Saturday, they will both be downtown, one at the former hospital and the other at the municipal mercado/market.
For World Tourism Day, Isla Mujeres celebrates a prosperous year LINK
This article notes that Isla Mujeres is one of the most important tourist destinations in Mexico and in the Caribbean. Tourism has increased during the two years of this municipal administration, which is attributed to work done by the City in terms of promotion, care for the environment, cleanliness and safety.
Since the beginning of the current administration, the promotion of this destination has been carried out at various tourism fairs, such as the Tourism Tianguis of Mexico, held in Acapulco and Mazatlan, in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and the two Pueblos Magicos fairs in Querétaro and Monterrey, which allowed direct promotion to an audience of around 60,000 people.
Other actions include relaunching the app "Isla Mujeres, putting this destination on the forefront of technology to make visits easier for tourists. The Mayor spoke about being a Pueblo Magico since 2015 and obtaining the recertifications of the Blue Flag designation for Playa Centro and the White Flag designation for Playa Norte, as well the inauguration of the second "Pet Friendly Beach" in Quintana Roo. He encouraged entrepreneurs to be innovative, and as part of the state program for World Tourism Day to publicize various state tourism destinations, the City received a group of 30 visitors who were given a tour of the main areas of the island.
Maritima Isla Mujeres (the car/vehicle ferry) announced that due to work being done by the port authority (APIQRoo) on the terminal, their crossings are suspended for Saturday, Sept. 29. The company explained this will be the only day of suspension, and is due to repaving work affecting the dock that they use. Next week the compaies will alternate and the Ultramar (Ultracarga) ferries will be suspended. Ultramar issued a statement that they will have no suspension on Saturday, Sept. 29 and will operate their usual Saturday schedule. LINK
State invests 1.5 million pesos to launch “Quintana Roo Es Orgánico” program to reduce use of agrochemicals
In state news, a program is being launched with the registration of the trademark/brand:"Quintana Roo is organic"/“Quintana Roo es orgánico”. A training course has been completed by 322 agricultural producers, 160 women and 162 men, which was titled "Regenerative and sustainable agricultural production, with emphasis on the conservation of beneficial fauna". The workshop taught them how to stop using agrochemicals that cause diseases in people and pollute the environment.
The producers who were trained are women and men dedicated to the production of vegetables, citrus fruits, basic grains, and fruit trees, as well as backyard crops, in the municipalities of Tulum, Bacalar, José María Morelos, Othón P. Blanco and Felipe Carrillo Puerto.
Davilio Gobin Morales, an agricultural producer in Bacalar, said: "At the workshop I learned many things about the use of agrochemicals and the consequences to our health from consuming food grown with these pesticides, therefore it is necessary to change the policies and with the program 'Quintana Roo es Orgánico' we can avoid using these types of insecticide and produce healthy vegetables, that are one hundred percent organic."
Healthy food will be produced and it will contribute to the improvement of farmers' income, since there is greater demand and selling price. In the current market, organic products reach an average price that ranges from 20 to 40 percent higher according to SEDARPE. (Secretary of Agricultural, Rural and Fisheries Development (SEDARPE). One and a half million pesos have been invested in this program.
The head of the SEDARPE, Pedro Pérez Díaz, said that, with organic agriculture in the state, the aim is the suppression of agrochemicals in the field production and, therefore, obtaining products free of agro-toxins with a better value in the marketplace. He said this will result in better health for families and better economic conditions, while allowing for regeneration of soil and sustainability of their agribusinesses.
Isla Mujeres Al Dia
The state and city governments are working together to ensure the beaches are clean. (Article w photos).
Parents can monitor their children at the middle school Benito Juarez via the security cameras (article and photos).
The Secretary of Education agency is preparing spaces for children whose parents are in the military. (photo)
Preparations are being made for the swearing in ceremony of the municipal administration on Sunday Sept. 30 at 3:30 outside the Casa de la Cultura (photo).
The municipal traffic police continue to have checkpoints. (photos) VIDEO The reporter notes it is an ongoing operation that also occurred yesterday and says they are checking that drivers have current drivers license and vehicle registrations. He asks if they are using the breathalyzer, and the Police Chief responds: "Yes". I can't hear what else the chief says, then the reporter shows the sunset.
Free mammograms during the month of October. There is a phone number for appointments or more information for women between the ages of 40 and 69. Women younger or older are invited to come to the CRIM facilities for assessment.
Starting next Saturday, free courses are being offered by the Tourism Departments of the City & State which include specific English courses for cabbies, personnel in hotels, in sales, and in bars & restaurants. Also courses in conflict management, marketing in social media, staff training, quality services, development of tourism products, food preparation, beverage preparation & service, waiting on diners, basic French, and others.
Photo of document with caption: Operations by Maritima Isla Mujeres (the car ferry) are suspended on Saturday, Sept. 29 for improvements to the APIQRoo terminal.
Noti Isla Mujeres
VIDEO with caption: API official Rosa Rios Fernandez spoke about the suspension of ferry service. Another VIDEO with caption: Notice: This Saturday, Sept. 29 service by the vehicle ferry Maritima between the island and Punta Sam will be suspended, but operations by Ultramar will continue.
VIDEO whose caption says you are invited to participate in the rabies vaccination campaign for pets.
IM Noticias
The baseball game on Sunday between the Isla Mujeres Cockteleros & the Rockies of Cancun "isn't for those with heart conditions". It will start at 1p at the Pescadores baseball stadium (in front of Chedraui).
The Rockies are leading the league and haven't lost a game this season. The Cockteleros are in second place, with one loss, which was to their rivals the Isla Mujeres.Pescadores, in extra innings at the start of the season. Team manager, Hector "Picuña" Gil Chablé, said it will be a difficult victory to attain, but not impossible.
Between 1p and 1:30p, there will be a tribute to Sports Promoter Javier Galué Coral, manager of the Puerto Morelos team, Arrecifes, who passed away recently, and whose family is native to Isla Mujeres.
The office of Recaudación de Rentas de Isla Mujeres (which includes Vehicle Registration & Renewal) is encouraging vehicle owners to take advantage of the promotion "Zero Tenencia" (Tenencia is a tax/fee), no matter how long they may be behind in their registration. Motorists are encouraged to update their registration and plates, and to take advantage of this offer which continues until the end of December.
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From por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles & photos
Hotels are half full, which isn't bad
Ocupación a medias y no es mala [+] Ver masFull article at this link
For September 24-27, the overall hotel occupancy in the municipality of Isla Mujeres was 52% wotj 58% on the mainland part of the municipality and 45% on the island. Some small hotels say their statistics don't match those of the medium and large hotels, and some are at less than 10 percent occupancy. Some managers of the larger hotels and online agencies say they have reservations for over 40% of their rooms in October and November. They say sales are very good for the winter high season and they expect occupancy to exceed 90 percent.
It is also noted that there is an increase in accommodation capacity at the end of 2018 and the start of 2019, with the construction and expansions in recent times. According to collected information, there will be about 8000 hotel rooms in operation by the end of the winter season.
Good weather for the weekend
Óptimo clima el fin de semana+] Ver masFull article at this link
See weather information below. It's about 5p now and today has been sunny, tho it did rain twice in our neighborhood for a very brief time....and both times the sun continued to shine.
Last day to vaccinate pets against rabies
Ultimo día para vacunar a mascotasVer masFull article at this link
Training recommended for restaurant personnel
Capacitar a su personal. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
In response to the recent fire that occurred in BE restaurant and caused minor damage to the FaceBar business upstairs, the Director of the Civil Protection and Firefighters agency said that restaurant staff should be trained and familiar with the protocols, at this restaurant and others. The restaurant is located on the corner of Guerrero and Matamoros, and the fire required mobilization of Civil Protection firefighters, the municipal Police, and the Red Cross. The damage occurred in the kitchen area and will require renovation of the entire electrical system. Facebar suffered minor damage because the chimney passes thru their part of the building.
It is recalled that a year ago, a business on Hidalgo avenue, about 150 meters away, had an explosion in the morning which affected several diners, mostly tourists, which was caused by a leak of a mobile propane tank in the kitchen. The explosion was spectacular, breaking the windows, but fortunately, there were no significant injuries.
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1. A tropical wave is moving across the Caribbean Sea along 83W from
21N southward. A pronounced 700 mb trough in the GFS analysis is
noted with the wave, but little signature of the wave is seen at
the surface. The wave, along with the monsoon trough, is helping
to induce scattered moderate to isolated strong convection within
180 nm of the wave axis south of 14N.
Note: 14N-21N at 83W is off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua & Honduras/
2.Note: The tropical wave/remnants of Kirk is south of Puerto Rico
moving WNW at 12 knots (14mph). The remnants of Kirk are now a tropical wave with a gale area.
Recent scatterometer data indicate generally easterly moderate breeze
or weaker winds ahead of the remnants of Kirk, except for an outflow boundary
enhancement of winds to 25 kt (29mph) in the southwestern Caribbean Sea.
Today's forecast for the region predicts hot weather with thunderstorms
in the afternoon from tropical wave #40, but the focus of it is
expected to be to our south, near Campeche. (At 5p it's been sunny all day. It rained for several minutes,
twice in our neighborhood, but the sun continued to shine both times.
In the CONAGUA graphic, "B" means low pressure and "onda tropical" is tropical wave.
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This photo is from one of the crab protection campaigns in 2016.
Please watch out for crabs after dark!
The blue crabs are migrating
to spawn in the sea, during this full moon (and the next one), from the
mangroves where they live, especially in Sac Bajo. There was a campaign
the other night to assist them across the street & the photo is
from one of the 2016 campaigns. They also migrate in other mangrove
areas down south & along the coastal roads. Please try to avoid
crushing them.
The graphic is from last year & shows a female on the left,
advising you help her toward the sea, and a male on the right,
recommending returning him to the mangroves. It says the female has a
wider abdomen that is circular & covers nearly all of the underside
of her body. The male's abdomen is narrow and resembles and inverted
letter "T".
Recommendations: Don't shine your flashlight directly
at them & don't take photos with a flash. Avoid going into the
mangrove and don't use tongs to handle them. "Cross only at pedestrian
crossings." It shows materials to use and says to use them carefully to
avoid mistreating the crabs.
(I like the bottom of the graphic
with the talking, grateful crabs....who are bilingual! Last year's
advisory showed them waving their claws saying "Don't crush us/No nos
aplastes!!")
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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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Full moon rising over the Caribbean
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Sept. 24 6:46 Sept. 25 7:24 Sept. 26 8:02 Sept. 27 8:42 Sept. 28 9:25 Sept. 29 10:11 Sept. 30 11:02 Painting by Pamela Haase Sunset ~7p to ~6:30p (beginning vs end of month) Sunrise ~630 |
September Events
Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events
It's whale shark tour season (thru mid September) and turtle nesting season (thru mid October). September is the Mes de la Patria/patriotic month, celebrating Mexico's independence from Spain
Saturday, Sept. 1 Boat procession to Isla Contoy taking the Virgin of Caridad del Cobre to the chapel at the Fishermen's camp there departing from the concrete pier at 8am after the Mass at 7am and the procession from the Church of Immaculate Conception. 19th annual edition.
Saturday, Sept. 1 Weekly plogging event to clean up litter, meeting at the park "Hormiguitas Oberas", to continue cleaning at Salina Grande lake 8a-10a.
Sunday, Sept. 2 RESCATE skating event on the hill by Julio Saury grade school 10a-3p, followed by a drone video then
Tuesday, Sept. 4 Last day to register for the lionfish competition
Friday, Sept. 7 Lionfish culinary competition at the Town Square starting at 6pm
Saturday, Sept. 8 Plogging event, 8a-10a, meeting place TBA
Saturday, Sept. 8 Rockabilly Festival from Cancun at Mayan Beach Club starting at 2p
Friday, Sept. 14 Independence Day parade on Rueda Medina from the Naval Base to the Fishermen's monument. Starting around 8a, maybe 9a. Traffic will be detoured to Juarez for a couple hours.
Saturday, Sept. 15 Plogging event, 8a-10a, meeting place TBA
Saturday, Sept. 15 Celebration on the Town Square for Independence with the reading of the Grito by the Mayor who rings the bell. Probably with fireworks, performers, live music & dancing, and crowning of Miss Independencia. Schedule TBA
The bands playing for the Independence celebrations on the Town Square on Saturday night will be Grupo Mojado & Megaboom. Tables are on sale at the Office of Public Relations from 10a to 4p, and there is a phone number & extension for more information. Your entire family is invited to come and celebrate! Grito at 11p, fireworks, then live music & partying all night long.
Sunday, Sept. 16 Independence Day
Monday, Sept. 17 End of the Whale Shark tour season. The licensees and their families usually have a celebration on the weekend after it closes and a Mass to express their gratitude.
Wednesday, Sept. 19 The Mayor's second municipal Report will be given on Sept. 19th at 4pm on the Town Square, according to the caption with this graphic, which says the City Council will have a special session at 4:30 on the Town Square.
Wednesday, Sept. 19 There will be a national earthquake simulation, preceded by a moment of silence for the victims of the 2017 earthquake, and afterwards you are invited to raise your right fist as a symbol of unity and brotherhood among the people of Mexico
Saturday, Sept. 22 Fall Equinox
Saturday, Sept 22 Isla Mujeres Cahuameros vs UADY in a basketball game at the Convention Center 8p
Sunday, Sept. 23 Isla Mujeres Cocteleros will play the Puerto Morelos Baseball Boys at the El Pescador stadium (in front of Chedraui) at 1pm
Thursday, Sept. 27 World Tourism Day There may be an event to commemorate the anniversary of becoming a Pueblo Magico
Saturday, Sept. 29 Plogging event, 8a-10a, meeting place TBA
Sunday, Sept. 30 Installation of the new City Council at 3:30p outside the Casa de la Cultura, which is on the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo.
Plogging events to clean up the island are held on Saturdays LINK and here's the Accion Isla LINK who are having events associated with project RESCATE.
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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