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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)
Punta Sur is the highest point of the Yucatan Peninsula and therefore is the first place in Mexico where the sun's rays touch the earth (Technically, the highest points on the Yucatan Peninsula are in Guatemala. I think Punta Sur is the highest point in Quintana Roo. Usually it is said that the sun's rays touch Punta Sur first in Mexico because it is the easternmost point.)
This is a reminder that these are the last days to take advantage of the 15% discount on property taxes that is available in January. In February, the discount will be 10%. There is information about other discounts that are available and the hours and location for making payments. It says that thanks to these payments, work is being done to improve the municipality.
From the City's Institute of Art & Culture FB page:
Presentation of the Kings and Queens of Carnaval 2018
We are maintaining the clean up and transfer of trash from the Trash Transfer Facility.
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From Tvisla Mujeres ( link to photos & articles)
Residents are invited to take advantage of the property tax discount offered in January. LINK
There is a weather forecast and reminder not to forget your umbrellas LINK
Weather forecast for today Monday January 29 in Quintana Roo provided by the National Weather Service.
Cold front 25 and prefrontal trough (low pressure channel) are located as follows: one on the southern portion of the Gulf of Mexico and the other on the Yucatan Peninsula; both systems are moving slowly to the southeast; they will cause a decrease in temperatures, with cool winds from the north.
Cancun and Isla Mujeres
Mostly cloudy
26th maximum
26 ° thermal sensation
21 ° minimum
UV 6, 87% Humidity, 80% Chance of Precipitation, Cloud Cover 68% Approximately
The Winds will be N from 15 to 25 km / h
High probability of rain.
There is a press release from the police department about zero tolerance of corruption and the suspension of an officer following a complaint from a tourist about being extorted for a bribe. See Por Esto section. LINK .
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From por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles & photos
Traffic officer suspended for allegedly taking bribes
Causa baja agente de Tránsito “mordelón”. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
The Director of the Department of Public Safety and Traffic dismissed a traffic officer for alleged extortion of tourists using golf carts, and the officer was turned over to the municipal Legal Department for a determination of responsibilities.
Jaime Ongay Ortiz, the Chief of Police, said the complaint took place on Saturday afternoon, and the officer, A.A.C.A., was promptly suspended from the Department and turned over to the Legal Department to determine the administrative responsibilities, and whether it is a criminal case.
The Chief of Police said, "We will not tolerate any act of this type in this government. The safety of families and their integrity are a priority. Acts of corruption are not tolerated and the necessary sanctions and actions will be applied to prevent this from happening again."
Mr. Ongay Ortiz said that with these actions the municipal government confirms its commitment to providing a Public Safety Department that works with honesty and responsibility, fulfilling its primary duty, which is to ensure the safety of families and of each of the visitors to Isla Mujeres.
Thus, he emphasized, the municipality of Isla Mujeres is committed to providing families and visitors with a police force that provides security and confidence, adding, "This Saturday afternoon, a citizen (tourist) complaint was promptly attended to and in accordance with the investigation, an officer of the Municipal Transit department was removed from his position and accused of alleged acts of extortion of a tourist."
There are more cases
According to complaints on social networks by those affected, including Neil Smith and Lissa Hayes, there are more cases, taking money from visitors who are using golf carts and not giving them a receipt. (The text below was posted by Neil Smith on the FB page "Islaholics". Lissa Hayes posted screenshots of tourist complaints onto the municipal police department FB page).
The following text is circulating on the Internet, from affected American visitors: "We just returned yesterday from our first trip to Isla I must say it was a wonderful trip the food was delicious and the hotel was really nice. Only one incident that I feel people should be aware of we rented golf carts one day and went out to dinner at Olivia’s had some of the best short ribs I’ve ever had, on the way back to the hotel we were pulled over by the police and accused of drunk driving and hauled off to the police station and told the infraction would cost us 180 US which we didn’t have. Long story short we were shaken down by the police for whatever cash we had in our pockets and then let go. We went back to our room and started reading on Trip Advisor that this is a very common practice, also ran into two people the next day that had the same experience the night we did. It left us shaken about the level of corruption in the Isla police force. The very people that are supposed to provide security are the ones that are making it feel like security doesn’t exist. Just a warning to people who are planning a trip there." (In response to a comment asking if he'd been drinking, he wrote:"My wife and I shared a bottle of wine over a 2 to 3 hour dinner so I was not drunk. I asked for a field sobriety test and wasn’t given one".)
In another case, Alex Vallejos posted on Saturday that a Traffic officer wouldn't explain the detention of a golf cart that was being used by foreigners, except that the apparent cause was the woman had a beer, which he described as 'literally vulgar extortion". According to the complainants, the officer requested 1200 pesos to release the vehicle, which caused anger and discomfort among the occupants. The resident who helped these tourists, so they would not suffer more problems on their visit, since their cart lease was by the hour, commented, "With these attitudes by authorities, how are tourists going to return? It damages the image of this place."
Increasing erosion on North Beach
Avanza la erosión en Playa Norte. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
The strong winds of the recent cold fronts have caused greater erosion in the affected area of Playa Norte, and the little sand that arrived in spring-summer has disappeared again.The biggest problem can be seen from the Chichis restaurant to the Magaña family pier, a stretch of 300 meters, just where half a dozen geotubes deflated five years ago.
Hundreds of square meters of beach surface that had recovered last year have disappeared, while forecasters say the number of cold fronts this season could reach 50, causing greater damage to Playa Norte. (Note: Not all the cold fronts reach the Yucatan.) The effects of cold front #25 are expected to be felt Monday evening.
Businesses owning concessions in the Federal Zone built three lines of levee-structures to try and retain or recover sand. The geotubes that were installed after Hurricane Wilma in 2005 were effective, and although they had an expected lifespan of three decades, they have deflated due to lack of maintenance. There was a recovery of about 10,000 square meters of sand in the area known as Playa Sol.
300 meter buoy line restored
Restablecieron 300 metros de boyas. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
Three hundred meters of buoys on North Beach were restored, according to lifeguards with the Civil Protection agency. They had been broken by the strong effects of the cold front number 24, and repairs were completed on Saturday. This line, whose purpose is to protect the swimmers from small boats entering the swimming area, was reestablished from ChiChi's restaurant to the NaBalam hotel.
Por Esto reported that breakage of several sections of buoys occurred on Thursday and Friday, and now with this new line of buoys, the safety of the swimmers is ensured for several months, during the winter and Easter holiday seasons.
Generally, weakness of the ropes occurs because some boats that bring tourists to the area use the buoy line to tie up and they lean on it, despite warnings from the lifeguards, and it is not designed for this purpose and over time, this tends to weaken it quickly.
The Civil Protection lifeguards reported there have been no incidents, and that the numbers of visitors to the beach increased after noon. The Harbor Master also reported no incidents, after the port was reopened to navigation by all vessels. (? See article below)
Partial reopening of the port
Parcial reapertura del puerto. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
Jan. 28 The Harbor Master's Office of Isla Mujeres reopened the port for navigation in the bay with recreational activity, travel to Isla Contoy National Park and fishing activities are still prohibited. This was done because at 8:30am the winds had dropped to 22 km/hr.
More than 50 boats that are dedicated to tourist recreation, and come from Cancun and the Punta Sam-Isla Mujeres continental area, activated their services to bring their clients to enjoy the waters, beaches and sites of historical and ecotourism activities and sites of the island, according to port officials.
The Harbor Master predicted that the port could be fully reopened for all boats on Monday. However, the port could be closed again for small vessels on Monday evening, when effects are expected from the arrival of Cold Front #25.
This authorization allowed recreational activity in the Bay including visiting Los Manchones, Garrafón, Cruz de la Bahia, Musa, Dolphin Discovery, Sac-Bajo and El Farito, and their coral reefs.
Regarding the closure of trips to the Isla Contoy reserve, they said that it is because the waves are still high, which could generate problems, and everyone must leave the park by 5:00pm.
Last night, it was raining at time but this stopped at dawn, when there were cloudy skies, but they gradually cleared as the sun rose.
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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
Wed. Jan. 3 Special performance by Folklorico dancers Fuego Nuevo (New Fire) with live music by Mariachis on the Town Square at 8p
Thurs. Jan. 4 Artist Fair at the Casa de la Cultura 3-8p. On the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo.
Full moon rising over the Caribbean
Sunset ~6p
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| Jan 1 6:10 Jan. 2 7:15 Jan. 3 8:20 Jan. 4 9:24 Jan. 5 10:25 Jan. 6 11:22 |
Saturday, Jan. 6 Día de Reyes/ King's Day This day commemorates when the three kings or Magi visited Jesus & is the culmination of the twelve days of Christmas. Traditionally this is the day when Mexican children receive gifts (which are brought by the three kings as opposed to Santa). It is customary to eat Rosca de reyes, a sweet bread that represents King Herod's crown with figurines of baby Jesus hidden inside. Whoever finds the token in their piece is obligated to host a party on Candlemas Day (Dia de la Candelaria), Feb. 2, which usually includes tamales.
Festival for King's Day (Jan. 6) at the el Pescador baseball field in front of Chedruai on Saturday starting at 5p. More than 6000 people are expected to attend to enjoy the entertainment, surprises, and presents.
There's also a toy giveaway at Ruben's restaurant on Guerrero, but as of 8am on Jan. 5, they're unsure what time....probably ~11am.
Jan. 6 is Día de la Enfermera. This special day was established in 1931, when Dr. Jose Villagrana said nurses were like a "regalo de reyes"...a gift from the Magi. (International Nurse's Day is celebrated on May 12th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale).
Sun. Jan. 7 Noches Magicas entertainment on the Town Square at 8p.
Jan 7-17 Art Festival & Exhibition “Festival de Arte Mutuo” / "Mutual Art Festival". 17 artists creating six murals at various locations around the isle, children's workshops, and an exhibition at the Casa de la Cultura with art on sale.
Thurs. Jan. 11 Artist Fair at the Casa de la Cultura 3-8p. On the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo.
Sun. Jan. 14 Noches Magicas entertainment on the Town Square at 8p
Thurs. Jan. 18 Artist Fair at the Casa de la Cultura 3-8p. On the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo.
Sun. Jan. 21 Noches Magicas entertainment on the Town Square at 8p
Thurs. Jan. 25 Artist Fair at the Casa de la Cultura 3-8p. On the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo.
Friday. Jan. 26 Golden Bross Circus performance at 7pm on Caribbean Coastal Road. Their ad says:After 13 years of absence the Golden Bross Circus is returning to Isla Mujeres! Now bigger and better with international acts & artists, lasting almost two hours! Great circus for the children with Mickey Mouse & premiering Peppa Pig! Gala Event! Short Run Don't Miss it! Link to their FB page.
Sun. Jan. 28 Noches Magicas on the Town Square at 8p will feature a presentation of the Kings & Queens of Carnaval in all categories
Tues. Jan. 30 Aguakan is announcing that the tap water supply to certain areas of Cancun, and Isla Mujeres, may be affected when they conduct preventative maintenance replacing the circulation valves at the pumping station by the Cancun Airport.
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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