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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
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From the Municipal Facebook site..... ( FB page link)
There is a video & article about the distribution of scholarships in the Continental Zone on the mainland part of the municipality.
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From Tvisla Mujeres ( link to photos & articles)
There's an article about giving out scholarships in the mainland part of the municipality.
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From por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles & photos
On the way to 100% occupancy
Rumbo al 100% de ocupaciónu.. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
Four days before Christmas celebrations, the global hotel occupancy of the municipality is 80 percentage points, with expectations of reaching 100 percent in the period between December 24 and January 2nd. Global occupancy statistics include the mainland part of the municipality; occupancy on the island is calculated at about 60 percent.
At this time, the island is not yet "crowded" with visitors, as usually happens during peak seasons, although there was an increase in the presence of tourists in the main streets and avenues of the town, as well as many passengers arriving on the ferries with their luggage, which implies that they will spend the night in the island.
Tourist boats larger than 40 feet and the ferries began arriving early in the morning arrived and docked in the different docks, so that their occupants had the opportunity to visit downtown, to make their purchases at the handicraft establishments and enjoy the warm waters of the bay.
The main beaches registered a median influx of bathers, probably because of the cool breeze that caused some of the users to choose not to take off their clothes, while others, probably used to another type of weather, sunned themselves with a minimum about of clothing.
The lifeguards of the Civil Protection Department were watching the swimmers, but the Naval First Aid tent hasn't been set up yet, which is usually located on Playa Centro. Golf car rental companies reported that demand is good and some said the 100 percent of their carts are reserved for December 24 and the 31st. This is because both tourists and local residents try to rent at least one of these dates, which causes the demand to exceed the supply, which is why they are reserved weeks, and even months, in advance.
Control of the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages
Control en la venta y consumo de bebidas alcohólica+] Ver masFull article at this link
A prhoposal was made to the City Council by alderman Roberto Martinez Aragon to reform the regulations related to control and operation of establishments where alcohol is sold or consumed and about the consumption of alcohol in the municipality. He said these regulations were not updated when the Law came into force of the Municipalities of the State of Quintana Roo on March 15, 2010.
One of the proposed amendments suggests that hours should be extended for all businesses, including restaurants, seafood restaurants, snack bars, cantinas, clubs, discos, and nightclubs. He claims that previous administrations reduced the hours to benefit from fines.
Lack of authorization for the sale of fireworks
Ninguna autorización para venta de pirotecnia] Ver masFull article at this link
The director of Civil Protection, Helman Ulises Berman Graniel, stated that no establishment in Isla Mujeres is authorized for the sale of firework products, because there are no businesses who have done the required paperwork and obtained permission from the the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA), the only agency which has the power to grant permits of this type.
He said, "A document was sent to stores and to those who sell on the Internet, in order to inform them of the requirements they must meet to obtain the permits and, if they already have the product, how to handle it. They also have to have the consent of the municipal Civil Protection department, whose function is to review or explain the security measures, so that the products will not cause an explosion ".
He said, "Unfortunately it is difficult to stop the clandestine trade while there are buyers, hence the importance of creating awareness of the risks to promote a culture of non-consumption, to try to avoid accidents."
The official said that most of the products sold on the island are manufactured in China and of very low quality, which, if added to the lack of correct measures in their handling, increases the risk of explosions. like the one that occurred on Monday that, fortunately, left no victims.
He explained, "These are products that do not have gunpowder but instead they have an explosive chemical and when they are stored together with others, those chemicals combine and ignite them, generating an explosion".
He advised the residents to not to purchase fireworks, especially the products that fly, whistle or explode, and warned that this type of products will be confiscated.
"Those that are authorized are selling small items such as luces de bengala (sparklers?) and pirotecnia fría, (lit. cold pyrotechnics), as long as they do not accumulate more than five kilos; however, everything else cannot be sold".
With regard to the clandestine marketers of fireworks, the general public is encouraged to report them so that the authorities can intervene.
Small boats restricted to port again
Sigue restringida la navegaciónu.. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
For the fourth consecutive day the Harbor Master of the port of Isla Mujeres, Miguel Ismael Gonzalez Gil, suspended activities of nautical tourism and fishing in the Caribbean to vessels under 40 feet in length, who said that navigation is authorized in the island's harbor, that is, El Farito and the Makax lagoon area.
He said that for boats under 40 feet, trips to Isla Contoy, sport fishing and diving, commercial fishing, and crossings of Puerto Juarez and hotel zone Isla Mujeres are suspended, while the catamarans that set sail from Cancun can carry out their activities without problems because they are larger boats.
"This suspension has been in place since Saturday, due to the increase of the east and northeast winds from 25 to 35 kilometers per hour with some variable gusts of up to 45 kilometers per hour on the coasts and vicinity of Isla Mujeres."
He added that the start of this season has not been favorable for nautical tourism activities and fishing activities by the small boats, which in the case of catching lobster, does not benefit this type of wind, because the crustaceans move with the "nortes" (northern fronts).
Regarding the actions as part of the operation "Guadalupe-Reyes", the Mr. Gonzalez Gil said that the Mexican Coast Guard, together with the Harbor Master's Office, conduct surveillance tours focused on verifying the conditions of the minimum security equipment of the boats and verifying that all their documents are in order. He said that the Regional Port Captain is also devoted to verifying passenger boats.
Providers of nautical services and fishermen trust that the weather conditions will improve enough to take advantage of the holiday season; at the moment only nautical tour cooperatives have seen an increase in their activity thanks to the fact that they can work at El Farito and cross the Makax lagoon, while the fishing sector fears a shortage of fish and seafood, precisely at the time when demand increases.
Concern that also affects the gastronomic sector, who are aware that if Isla Mujeres does not find sufficient supplies of fish and seafood, it will have to be sourced from outside the isle, without doubt at higher prices than in local cooperatives.
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Noticias de Diario de Quintana Roo's Isla articles & photos LINK
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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, 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
Nov. 28-Dec. 8 Annual Festivities honoring the Patron Saint: Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
Which include a small carnival, a bullring, nightly performances on the Town Square (which start at 8p), and a boat procession on Dec. 8th, as well as private celebrations by the 20+ groups involved in the festivities. The horse procession is scheduled for Dec. 2, starting at 1p going to the colonias & the Sacred Heart Church, and finishing at the ring at the north end of the runway, where there will be cowboy-horse performances. Events at the ring begin at 6:30 except Nani Namu.
The comic bullfights with matadors of diminutive stature are Tues. 5th & Tues. 12th. There's a Lasso tournament on Sun, Dec.10th. All events at the ring at the north end of the runway start at 6:30p, except Nani Namu & the horse procession.
Fri & Sat. Dec 1 & 2 M.C. Mala Noche will celebrate their first anniversary this weekend at the Casa de la Cultura starting at 11 am on Saturday and at Playa Centro on Sunday with live music, competitions, and other fun activities.
Sun. Dec. 3 Noches Magicas 8p Town Square with the DIF Senior Citizen Dance Troupe and singers Rebens Garcia and Aldahir Davila
You can drop off donations of toys at Rueben's restaurant, across from the Mercado on Guerrero. Kids in Mexico receive presents on King's Day/Dia de los Reyes on Jan. 6
Full moon Sun. Dec. 3
Sunset ~6p
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| Dec. 3 6:30 Dec. 4 7:30 Dec. 5 8:33 Dec. 6 9:37 Dec. 7 10:39 Dec. 8 11:39 |
Thurs. Dec. 7 Artist Fair Casa de la Cultura 3-8p
Fri. Dec. 8 at 4:30pm Christmas Youth Lightning Tournament on the Comex soccer court for Futbol Rapido soccer, in colonia Salina Chica.
Thurs. Dec. 14 at 9am Public Audience with the Governor at the El Pescador baseball field
Sun. Dec.10 Noches Magicas 8p Town Square
Mon. Dec.11 There will be a gathering in the evening at the coastal chapel dedicated to Guadalupe in Salina Chica, probably with Mariachis, to sing Las Mañanitas and honor her.
Mon. Dec. 11 Town Square 6p. Lighting of the Christmas Lights and performance by the Academy of Jazz, Passion, & Dance
Tues. Dec. 12 Dia de Guadalupe, the Patron Saint of Mexico.There is usually a run in the morning from the downtown church to Punta Sur to the Guadalupe Chapel.There is usually a procession in the afternoon with children dressed up as Juan Diego, shepherds, and shepherdesses, probably between the Chapel Guadalupana and the downtown church,
The holiday period in Mexico from Dec. 12 to Jan. 6 is called Guadalupe-Reyes (from Dia de Guadalupe to Dia de los Reyes/King's Day).
Thurs. Dec.14 Artist Fair Casa de la Cultura 3-8p
Dec, 16-24 Posadas Navidenas
During the Posadas, there is usually a dance on the Town Square, featuring regional dances & costumes from different states of Mexico. The schools may have Posada plays, which are reenactments of Mary & Joseph being refused shelter. Posada means 'inn'.
Sun. Dec. 17
Sun. Dec. 17 Boxing Event Sunday at 7pm at El Pescador
Sun. Dec.17 Noches Magicas 8p Town Square the final Noches Magicas performances for 2017. You are invited to enjoy Christmas dances performed by the students of the Women's Institute of Quintana Roo, live music by Hiraldo & his Cuban Big Band, and a comedy show. Free.
Thurs. Dec. 21 Winter Solstice
Sat. Dec. 23 5:30p - 8:30p Golf Cart Parade with residents tossing toys & treats to children
Sun. Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Usually the last ferry is cancelled and some businesses may be closed, especially in the evening, while families celebrate together.Noches Magicas is suspended.
Mon. Dec. 25 Christmas Usually the first ferry is cancelled.
Thurs. Dec.28 Artist Fair Casa de la Cultura 3-8p
Thurs. Dec. 28 Wednesday Dia de los Santos Innocentes A day of practical jokes, similar to "April Fool's Day"
Sun. Dec.31 New Year's Eve celebration on the Town Square. Tables can be purchased in advance, details TBA. The last ferry is usually cancelled.Noches Magicas is suspended.
Jan. 1 New Year's Day People observe the sunrise at Punta Sur The first ferries are usually suspended.
Celebrating New Year's in Isla Mujeres
To celebrate New Year's Eve, some families set up tables in the side streets with pinatas strung overhead, and dine on turkey stuffed with seasoned ground meat, while others crowd the Town Square for live music, dancing, and fireworks. Each neighborhood brings in the New Year with a bang, and the skies explode with color in all directions.
During the NYE countdown, there is a tradition of eating twelve uvas de buenas suerte (grapes of good luck), each representing a month, with a toast of champagne or cider. The party on the town square continues all night long. At the other end of the isle, people gather at Punta Sur to greet the first rays of the sun at the eastern-most point in Mexico.
Other customs include cleaning your house on New Year's Eve & sweeping out bad luck. Wearing red underwear could bring you love in the New Year, or your white undies may bring you peace, while yellow represents wealth. Those who hope to travel should grab an empty suitcase and carry it around the room or the block, and set it by the door. If you drop a shoe on New Year's morn and it lands "boca arriba" (face up) you will enjoy good luck in the upcoming year.
The old year is represented by a life sized character called El Viejo, The Old Man, who is later filled with fireworks and set ablaze. He may resemble a politician, and he is usually holding cigars & tequila. Fireworks are everywhere, and their names are metralletas (literally "machine guns" – but it means fire crackers), cañones (larger fire crackers), voladores (rockets in many different sizes), chifladores (whistlers), and barre pies ("foot sweepers", that spin on the ground & shoot sparks).
Kids receive toys on Dia de los Reyes, January 6, when families, friends, and coworkers share rosca de reyes. King's cake, usually with hot chocolate. If you get the Baby Jesus,it means you'll be hosting a party & providing the tamales on Candlemas Day, Feb. 2.
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" (it used to be in my blog margin, until Blogger became incompatible with it).
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres
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