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| This is the live webcam at North Beach / Playa Norte. HERE is a timelapse version, that you can set to slow or fast (fps-frames per second). It takes a few seconds to load. |
Follow Isla Mujeres News & Events on Facebook for highlights of news & events, and more photos & videos
Both issues of The Isla Mujeres Magazine are here,
featuring a variety of talented writers and photographers!
featuring a variety of talented writers and photographers!
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From Noticias de Diario de Quintana Roo ....
link to their Isla articles & photos
Restaurant closure: Safety hazards
Conjuran peligro en restaurante
Lo clausuran por reincidir en falta de seguridad
Lanrry PARRA
ISLA MUJERES, 8 de marzo.-
ISLA MUJERES, 8 de marzo.-
Three businesses were closed last weekend, by the municipal departments of Civil Protection, Urban Development and the Municipal Treasury. After complying with the Treasury and Urban Development Departments, two of the three businesses reopened. However, the restaurant "La Argentina" is still closed and could owe a fine between 50,000 and 60,000 pesos according to the director of Civil Protection, Ulises Berman Graniel.
It is noted that this business was closed on January 8 (sic, it was January 17th, LINK) due to a fire in the kitchen's chimney, and after a review by the Department of Civil Protection, a number of recommendations were made to the owner to improve the facilities and thereby avoid accidents.
According to Mr Berman, two months later, the owner had ignored the recommendations made after that closure, and many more irregularities were noted. Some areas stand out as worse than others, including a bodega (storage area) that is full of ashes and containers that are full of used oil, which is at risk of burning. The butane gas tank is in the kitchen, which is filled with wood for the wood burning oven, in addition to the electrical connections on the stove, which represent a serious danger of fire.
The official said that the owner of the business is endangering the people who work for him, as well as the dozens of nearby businesses, with these negligent practices. He said that after this review, it is possible that COFEPRIS may carry out another inspection because it appears that there are unhealthy areas present, as well as all the filth going directly into the storm drainage system because there are no traps to accumulate the fat.
The head of Civil Protection said that what is sought is to have all areas of the island in compliance with the regulations, and therefore reviews are being made at all types of businesses in various parts of the island, with the intention of providing security for all the residents.
Mayor Juan Carrillo recognized women on their day
Muchas gracias por su labor
Juan Carrillo reconoce a las mujeres en su día
Lanrry parra
ISLA MUJERES, 8 de marzo.-
ISLA MUJERES, 8 de marzo.-
See City section below....
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From the Municipal Facebook site..... ( FB page link)
City of Isla Mujeres celebrates International Women's Day
Mayor Juan Carrillo Soberanis said, "Women are the most important part of every Mexican family, and in Isla Mujeres, many of you are even the main breadwinner." He said this important date, International Women's Day would be commemorated throughout the week with activities such as the group choreography "One Billion standing against violence towards women and girls". He thanked all the City employees and spoke about the history of the first Women's Day in in 1910 in Copenhagen, and the UN declaration in 1975 for International Day of Women.
Today we celebrate the struggle for equality, justice and the rights of women all over the world, Happy #díainternacionaldelamujer.
Changes in the municipal government
Changes were announced in the directors of the municipal departments of Catastro (deeds), Urban Development, Ecology, and Public Safety & Traffic.
Guillermo Pinto Aguilar, who was in charge of Cadastre, will become the Director of Urban Development, and, Josué Francisco Villanueva Vargas, who has held that position, will now become the Director of Cadastre.
In the Department of Ecology, the Director, Jose Vega Macias, will become the Assistant Director, and Carlos Enrique Barrero Garcia, who has been the Assistant Director, will become the Director.
Elvis Alejandro Gutierrez Rodriquez was named the Administrative Director of Public Safety and municipal Traffic, replacing Martin Maldonado Teran, who was named as the Fiscalization (Enforcement) Coordinator in the Continental Zone.
The City Secretary General, Joel Sauri Galue, announced the changes and thanked them all, on behalf of the Mayor, Juan Carrillo Soberanis for their dedication and commitment to the various areas they represent, and he urged them to redouble their efforts to continue working on behalf of the citizens of the island. He said, "These changes are being made in response to the need to streamline the work of the different areas that make up the City of Isla Mujeres and its municipal administration,"
Tourism promotion of Isla Mujeres increases tourism
The municipal government continues to work on tourism promotion of the island to maintain it as one of the main destinations in Quintana Roo and Mexico Thanks to the good work of tourism promotion that has been carried out by the municipal government, headed by Juan Carrillo Soberanis, Isla Mujeres has experienced a high rate of tourists visiting during the first two months of the year and the first part of March.The various actions that have been carried out to promote this municipality as a tourist destination have achieved an increase of up to 17 percent in the influx of visitors, mostly national tourists, although the arrival of foreign tourists should not be ignored.
City officials, restaurateurs, hoteliers, and tourism service providers will participate in the Tianguis Tourism Convention will be held in Acapulco March 27-30, taking part as on of the most beautiful destinations, as well as one of the 111 Pueblo Magicos of Mexico.
The good coordination that has been maintained between state and federal agencies and private industry has brought good results in this regard, and this work is expected to continue for the rest of the year; Tourism service providers and the island community in general are invited to continue to provide quality services to those who visit the island.
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From Tvisla Mujeres ( link to photos & articles)
Respect the warnings on the Isla Mujeres beaches
Exhortan a respetar las advertencias en playas de Isla Mujeres - http://www.tvislamujeres.com.mx/exhortan-a-respetar-las-ad…/
Men & Women of Isla Mujeres against gender based violence
Hombres y Mujeres de Isla Mujeres todos contra la violencia de género - http://www.tvislamujeres.com.mx/hombres-y-mujeres-de-isla-…/
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From por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles & photos
Excessive proliferation of golf carts
Excesiva proliferación de carritos.. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
Individuals and taxi drivers are concerned about the proliferation of golf carts, not only on the main arteries of the island, but on all the streets of the whole island, which are often driven by inexperienced tourists who sometimes cause accidents.
Attempts to limit the opening of more cart rental agencies and to limit expansion of the concessions had been impossible because before each state Governor leaves, they grant concessions to politicians and officials who have been loyal to them or who have served their interests.
Although officially there are about 600 carts in circulation on the island, in reality there are about a 1000 of these vehicles moving through the streets, including the carts owned by businesses and individuals.
Some taxi drivers are complaining about the tolerance of SINTRA and the municipal Traffic police who allow golf carts on the streets without plates, carts with private plates and tourists on board, excessive numbers of passengers, or being driven by a minor. One cabbie alleged that SINTRA inspectors seem to be singling out certain rental companies, while ignoring others.
Another cabbie, who identified himself as Jesus, said that both Sintra and the municipality should request a copy of the register of rental agencies and number of units allowed to each concession, and see how it matches with reality. In response to a question he said, "The City is the first to be aware, that the excess of golf carts is a problem that affects the community; Tourists are no longer traveling in the limited manner they did previously. Now they enter the colonias, some rent houses there and others just want to see the neighborhoods, but many times the tourists do not know how to drive well, and on top of that they may have a few drinks, thus causing accidents.
A third taxi driver said, "The basic problem is that the rental agencies take advantage of the official tolerance and put units out on the streets that are not yet allowed to be in circulation, or they divide one pair of plates between two carts, and this generates more competition among workers, in addition to causing traffic jams downtown."
Restaurant closure
Exigentes para clausurars.. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
For the second time in three weeks, the City has closed the restaurant Argentine Steakhouse Grill, due it irregularities found on a Civil Protection visit, which were not remedied. (There was a chimney fire a January 17th, LINK)
It is possible that many of the tourists passing by the location may be happy about this closure, at least according to comments on TripAdvisor, where Playa Norte is rated among the top seven beaches in the world. However on the TA site, this Steakhouse is poorly rated at 147th of 154 restaurants, loncherias, taquerias, and cocina economicas, both downtown and in the colonias.
The business has also gotten negative comments, both on TA and on other sites that have been created by the foreign community on social networks, such as Isla-holics, where tourists and residents express their opinions.
A representative of the business said that the City refused to issue the consent (anuencia), and therefore, they failed to obtain the license to operate for this year, which caused the closure by the municipal Treasurer.
Independently, the Urban Development Department also them closed down for placing furniture practically into the middle of the street, specifically in an area that is not for pedestrians, which could cause an accident.
According to Raúl Miguel Navarro, representative of the restaurant, on Sunday around 8:30pm, with the restaurant almost full, Civil Protection inspectors arrived along with two policemen who made the tourists leave. He said, "According to Civil Protection the restaurant had incurred certain irregularities. They gave me a period of five days to solve the alleged irregularities, because supposedly a smoke extractor has a great deal of grease-fat and is dangerous, but they did not respect the deadline. They arrived and simply closed the business without caring about the customers."
He added that it was not only Civil Protection that closed them down but also the Urban Development Department, and the municipal Treasury. The Treasury closure was for not having an up to date license of operation for 2017.
"We have the paid for the state license and alcohol permit. The garbage fee is also paid, which was 28,000 pesos, but they did not give me the license of operation from Civil Protection, who do this same thing every year." He failed to mention that the agency was unable to grant that license without the business having corrected the irregularities that caused the first closure.
He complained that annual payments between 6000 and 12,000 pesos must be paid to a person certified by the City, for gas and electricity approval, in addition to the fact that the fine for the grease in the smoke extractor is 95,000 pesos, which must be paid in order to remove the closure.
Profitable season
Isla Mujeres viento en popa [+] Ver masFull article at this link
Overall hotel occupancy the first week of March was 80 percent and it is expected to reach nearly 100 percent during the upcoming Easter holiday period. Juan Carrillo Figueroa, president of the National Chamber of Commerce (CANACO) in Isla Mujeres, said that the providers of tourism services, merchants, hoteliers, restaurants, nautical and other tours have had a very profitable season this year, some more than others .
He said Isla Mujeres has become a world-class tourist destination due to the certification of its beaches, its designation as Pueblo Magico, and the quality of services, which it seeks to improve, because tourists are becoming increasingly demanding every day. He said, "This is supported by work of tourist promotion at Tourism Conventions and around the world, sponsored by the federal, state and municipal governments".
He said that although festive and cultural activities, such as the patron saint celebrations and our traditional Carnival, began locally and are promoted among the islanders, they have contributed to an increase in the hotel occupation during those times.
The reporter asked him if the increase in occupancy might be related to the violence and insecurity suffered by Cancun and Playa del Carmen, who are the main local competitors for Isla Mujeres, and he dismissed that this had anything to do with it. He said, "The hotel occupancy has improved thanks to the promotion of the destination. There had already been an increase last year, before the unfortunate events in Playa del Carmen and Cancun." Our promotion is supported by having the seventh most beautiful beach in the world and our greatest strength is repetitive tourism and specialized tourism.
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Excesiva proliferación de carritos.. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
Individuals and taxi drivers are concerned about the proliferation of golf carts, not only on the main arteries of the island, but on all the streets of the whole island, which are often driven by inexperienced tourists who sometimes cause accidents.
Attempts to limit the opening of more cart rental agencies and to limit expansion of the concessions had been impossible because before each state Governor leaves, they grant concessions to politicians and officials who have been loyal to them or who have served their interests.
Although officially there are about 600 carts in circulation on the island, in reality there are about a 1000 of these vehicles moving through the streets, including the carts owned by businesses and individuals.
Some taxi drivers are complaining about the tolerance of SINTRA and the municipal Traffic police who allow golf carts on the streets without plates, carts with private plates and tourists on board, excessive numbers of passengers, or being driven by a minor. One cabbie alleged that SINTRA inspectors seem to be singling out certain rental companies, while ignoring others.
Another cabbie, who identified himself as Jesus, said that both Sintra and the municipality should request a copy of the register of rental agencies and number of units allowed to each concession, and see how it matches with reality. In response to a question he said, "The City is the first to be aware, that the excess of golf carts is a problem that affects the community; Tourists are no longer traveling in the limited manner they did previously. Now they enter the colonias, some rent houses there and others just want to see the neighborhoods, but many times the tourists do not know how to drive well, and on top of that they may have a few drinks, thus causing accidents.
A third taxi driver said, "The basic problem is that the rental agencies take advantage of the official tolerance and put units out on the streets that are not yet allowed to be in circulation, or they divide one pair of plates between two carts, and this generates more competition among workers, in addition to causing traffic jams downtown."
Restaurant closure
Exigentes para clausurars.. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
For the second time in three weeks, the City has closed the restaurant Argentine Steakhouse Grill, due it irregularities found on a Civil Protection visit, which were not remedied. (There was a chimney fire a January 17th, LINK)
It is possible that many of the tourists passing by the location may be happy about this closure, at least according to comments on TripAdvisor, where Playa Norte is rated among the top seven beaches in the world. However on the TA site, this Steakhouse is poorly rated at 147th of 154 restaurants, loncherias, taquerias, and cocina economicas, both downtown and in the colonias.
The business has also gotten negative comments, both on TA and on other sites that have been created by the foreign community on social networks, such as Isla-holics, where tourists and residents express their opinions.
A representative of the business said that the City refused to issue the consent (anuencia), and therefore, they failed to obtain the license to operate for this year, which caused the closure by the municipal Treasurer.
Independently, the Urban Development Department also them closed down for placing furniture practically into the middle of the street, specifically in an area that is not for pedestrians, which could cause an accident.
According to Raúl Miguel Navarro, representative of the restaurant, on Sunday around 8:30pm, with the restaurant almost full, Civil Protection inspectors arrived along with two policemen who made the tourists leave. He said, "According to Civil Protection the restaurant had incurred certain irregularities. They gave me a period of five days to solve the alleged irregularities, because supposedly a smoke extractor has a great deal of grease-fat and is dangerous, but they did not respect the deadline. They arrived and simply closed the business without caring about the customers."
He added that it was not only Civil Protection that closed them down but also the Urban Development Department, and the municipal Treasury. The Treasury closure was for not having an up to date license of operation for 2017.
"We have the paid for the state license and alcohol permit. The garbage fee is also paid, which was 28,000 pesos, but they did not give me the license of operation from Civil Protection, who do this same thing every year." He failed to mention that the agency was unable to grant that license without the business having corrected the irregularities that caused the first closure.
He complained that annual payments between 6000 and 12,000 pesos must be paid to a person certified by the City, for gas and electricity approval, in addition to the fact that the fine for the grease in the smoke extractor is 95,000 pesos, which must be paid in order to remove the closure.
Profitable season
Isla Mujeres viento en popa [+] Ver masFull article at this link
Overall hotel occupancy the first week of March was 80 percent and it is expected to reach nearly 100 percent during the upcoming Easter holiday period. Juan Carrillo Figueroa, president of the National Chamber of Commerce (CANACO) in Isla Mujeres, said that the providers of tourism services, merchants, hoteliers, restaurants, nautical and other tours have had a very profitable season this year, some more than others .
He said Isla Mujeres has become a world-class tourist destination due to the certification of its beaches, its designation as Pueblo Magico, and the quality of services, which it seeks to improve, because tourists are becoming increasingly demanding every day. He said, "This is supported by work of tourist promotion at Tourism Conventions and around the world, sponsored by the federal, state and municipal governments".
He said that although festive and cultural activities, such as the patron saint celebrations and our traditional Carnival, began locally and are promoted among the islanders, they have contributed to an increase in the hotel occupation during those times.
The reporter asked him if the increase in occupancy might be related to the violence and insecurity suffered by Cancun and Playa del Carmen, who are the main local competitors for Isla Mujeres, and he dismissed that this had anything to do with it. He said, "The hotel occupancy has improved thanks to the promotion of the destination. There had already been an increase last year, before the unfortunate events in Playa del Carmen and Cancun." Our promotion is supported by having the seventh most beautiful beach in the world and our greatest strength is repetitive tourism and specialized tourism.
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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, bikes, outdoor shower, portable beach chairs & beach towels, washer, loungers. Breathtaking panoramic views from the rooftop terrace. Upstairs room also available. Downtown is ~ a mile away; if you don't feel like walking or biking, 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 traditional neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. Within ten minutes walk are the restaurants Mango Cafe, Bahama Mama, Brisas, Manolitos, 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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Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events
Wednesday March 1 Ash Wednesday, beginning of Lent
Thursday, March 2 Artist Fair Casa de Cultura Art, Food, Craft Beer, Music, Fun
Be proud to be an islander. Don't miss it!
500 years since discovery 1517-2017
Program
Start of the Commemoration
Friday March 3
Official Ceremony to commemorate 500 years since the discovery of Isla Mujeres
9am at the eastern Malecon by the Paso de la Triguena (east of the Town Square by the bathrooms)
SATURDAY, MARCH 4
Carnaval Dance Troupe from Holbox "Las Dormadoras" dancing in the streets of Isla Mujeres.
Saturday March 4
Cultural Artistic Festival with the Ballet Folklorico of the State of Quintana Roo
"The Setting is Quintana Roo"
"Trova Islena"
Accompanied by the musical group "Mar y Arena" (Sea & Sand)
8pm Town Square
Monday, March 6 Town Square 5:30 The City of Isla Mujeres invites the island community to participate in a Zumba demonstration class as part of the International Day of Women.
Wednesday, March 8 International Women's Day
Thursday, March 9 Artist Fair Casa de Cultura 4-9, Art, Food, Craft Beer, Music, Fun
Sunset ~6:50p
Moon rise over the Caribbean
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| March 12 7:12 Full Moon March 13 8:05 March 14 8:56 March 15 9:47 March 16 10:37 March 17 11:26 |
Painting by Pam Haase Link to website
Thursday, March 16 Artist Fair Casa de Cultura Art, Food, Craft Beer, Music, Fun
Friday, March 17 St. Patrick's Day
Saturday, March 18 Oil Expropriation Day
Monday March 20 Equinox & Day off for Benito Juarez's birthday
Tuesday, March 21 Benito Juarez's birthday
Thursday, March 23 Artist Fair Casa de Cultura Art, Food, Craft Beer, Music, Fun
Saturday, March 25 Yoga on beach in front of the Posada Hotel. 150 pesos Registration 4p
Thursday, March 30 Artist Fair Casa de Cultura Art, Food, Craft Beer, Music, Fun
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The Artist's Fairs are scheduled weekly on Thursdays at the Casa de Cultura, 4-9 thru April 20.
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