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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)
In accordance with the electoral laws, the municipal Facebook site has suspended the release of information as of March 29, until after the election.
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From Tvisla Mujeres ( link to photos & articles)
The whale shark tour operators are preparing for the upcoming whale shark season LINK
The boats that renew their permits year after year to offer tours to observe and swim with the Whale Sharks are already working on rehabilitating and improving their vessels, which are required by law to be larger than 30 feet in length.
The season should begin on May 15th, and for the past month or more many have them have been performing corrective and preventative maintenance. On March 15, Regional Director of the Mexican Caribbean and Yucatan Peninsula of the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), Ricardo Gomez said that there would be no delay in the delivery of the 240 permits for the next season.
He said that as a result of the inspections by the Harbor Master, it was determined that many boats were not in a position to operate and others lacked the necessary documentation.These are precisely the boats that have been left out of the register and will not have their permits renewed for this year.
He said, "We will continue working with the boats that have been complying, establishing a daily work schedule of no more than 120 vessels."
Navy continues to provide first aid services at the beaches LINK
The Department of the Mexican Navy-Armada as the National Maritime Authority, acting as the Coast Guard, offered medical support to persons enjoying recreational activities at North Beach in Isla Mujeres, as part of Operation Salvavida Easter 2018.
At the Naval First Aid station, two Mexican women and and a boy were assisted. The first woman was 30 years old who had a cut in her left leg and the second was 21 years old, with a slight concussion of the skull, while the eight year old Mexican boy had an obstruction due to food intake, so Naval Health personnel gave them the appropriate medical attention.
The Department of the Navy-Armada of Mexico recommends that those who visit this tourist destination should follow the instructions of Civil Protection personnel, and they provide emergency telephone number for any emergencies at sea.
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From por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles & photos
85% occupancy for the Easter holidays last week
Ocupación del 85% en la Semana Mayor+] Ver masFull article at this link
During Semana Mayor (Palm Sunday to Easter) general hotel occupancy was at 85%, with a rate of 72% occupancy for the island and 92% for the Continental Zone. Now, when the Mexican tourists who are unable to stay for the entire holiday period are returning to their places of origin, the general occupancy rate is 76.71 percentage points, with the rate on the island of 72% and a rate of 92% in the Continental Zone.
However, it is estimated that the occupancy rates are actually higher, especially on the island, where there are rooms and apartments that are rented in an irregular manner, without being registered with the Treasury. According to official sources, these figures represent hotel statistics, but there are more rooms, apartments and houses that are rented "clandestinely", something that is not new and has been practiced for some years.
But there is concern that the number of rooms offered through the Airbnb platform will increase, which is very well accepted, especially by foreign visitors, although obviously it has a negative impact on the hotel sector, which considers the platform as unfair competition, because the hoteliers pay all kinds of taxes and fees, including operating licenses and garbage collection, while those who rent irregularly do not contribute to the Treasury.
Tourism activity was at a high level. Upon arrival at the terminal, many tourists headed to the commercial area to rent a golf cart or they went directly to the beaches, while others opted for a snorkel tour and even a taxi ride to see the places of interest on the isle.
The demand for golf carts was so high that at some rental agencies that they had leased all their units before noon, which caused disappoint to those visitors who only had a few hours to enjoy the attractions of the island, although some were lucky enough to find a cart at another agency.
Many tourists went to enjoy Playa Centro, which is a Blue Flag beach, although this certification means there should be palapas, bathrooms and showers, for free, which are nonexistent. Vendors are also not supposed to be allowed, but they were walking the sands, offering their merchandise.
The pleasant weather caused a good demand for nautical services, including snorkeling tours to El Farito and La Cuevita. The merchants did a good business, as did the restaurants, especially at dinner time.
Whale Shark tour operators begin procedures for the upcoming season
Ingresan trámites de cara a la temporada del pez dominó [+] Ver masFull article at this link
See TVIM above. The Whale Shark tour season will officially begin on May 15, but the permits authorizing this activity usually arrive a fortnight later. According to data obtained, there were 240 permit holders in Isla Mujeres for the blue waters of the RVCM (Caribbean Mexican Reserve), which is the jurisdiction of CONANP, and there are about 170 permit holders for the green waters of the RVTB (Whale Shark Reserve), which is managed by the Wildlife Department.
The permit holders began their documentation procedures in March, and they are concerned because it has already been announced that the number of permits will be reduced. Some of the permit holders, anonymously allege that CONANP and the Wildlife Department are giving preference to the larger companies, who they say exploit the resource and bring tourists to the area every day, while those who only have one or two boats are more affected by the restriction that limits the boats to only going out every other day.
Renewing Maritime Safety certificates
Renuevan certificados de seguridad marítima [+] Ver masFull article at this link
Isla Mujeres fishing cooperatives are in the process of renewing the maritime safety certificates for their boa, including members of the Social Justicia cooperative. The Harbor Master met with them regarding the inspections of their boats, which have permits for commercial fishing activities.
Baltazar Gómez Catzín, president of the cooperative Justicia Social, said it is time for local fishing cooperatives to renew maritime safety certificates for their boats; and personnel from the Harbor Master's Office are carrying out inspections to verify that everything is in order. The inspections involve verifying that the boats have the safety equipment that is required by the Harbor Master's office and the Navy of Mexico, which includes a lifesaving ring, lifesaver vests, fire extinguisher, VHF band radio, flares, first aid kit, and a 'grampín'.
He explained that during the inspection it is verified that the registration of the vessel corresponds to the one on the safety certificate, since there are cases in which two or more boats work from the same certificate, which is completely irregular.
Regarding the fishing activities, he said that during Lent and the Easter holidays, there has been a scarcity of fish in the local market, due to poor weather. "Although there are days when the port is open, the fishermen can not leave because they need to go very far out, but the swells are very strong for the types of boats they have. For example, the port has been opened since Friday, but we could not go out, if anything, the boats went out near the coast in search of seafood that were not under bans, seeking some fish for the local consumers. Good weather has been forecast until next weekend, let's see if it calms down enough so that we will be able to take advantage of the end of the grouper ban."
Port is open for general navigation
Puerto abierto a la navegación en general [+] Ver masFull article at this link
The port remains open for general navigation, which favors all types of nautical tourism and fishing activities, however the fishermen have been limited to fishing near the coast, due to the conditions at sea, which limit them from going out about 20 nautical miles, where they usually work. Weather conditions are expected to be favorable for the remainder of the holiday, but the port could be closed on Sunday or Monday, when winds may increase to over 40 km/hr.
There were clear skies on Tuesday, with some isolated clouds, with east-souteast winds at 15-20kph, gusting up to 30kph. Similar conditions are expected to continue through Saturday, with an increase in winds expected on Sunday and Monday, which could suspend activities at sea (for the smaller boats). The Harbor Master reported a "Saldo Blanco" (no major incidents). He said they are conducting inspections of the nautical tour operators to ensure that the passengers are wearing life jackets and that the required safety equipment is on board. In response to a question, he explained that four boats had been sent back to their base areas for different reasons. One reason was that during the voyage, the crew member was not on board. The Harbor Master explained, "The sailor was on the beach, but while the tourists are in the boat or in the water, the sailor must accompany them at all times, for safety purposes."
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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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| April Events Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events |
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| April 1 8:21 April 2 9:16 April 3 10:09 April 4 11:02 April 5 11:53 April 29 7:05 April 30 7:59 Painting by Pamela Haase |
Sunday, April 1 Easter
Thursday, April 5 Artist Fair 3-8p Casa de la Cultura on the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo. (It hasn't yet been announced when the Thursday Artist Fairs will be discontinued, which could occur in April or May.)
Saturday, April 7 Plogging Day 8:30a Running, jogging, or walking & picking up litter. Route TBA at Plogging Day Isla Mujeres & Action for Isla.
Sunday, April 8 Noches Magicas performances on the Town Square 8p Free.
Thursday, April 12 Artist Fair 3-8p Casa de la Cultura on the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo. (It hasn't yet been announced when the Thursday Artist Fairs will be discontinued, which could occur in April or May.)
Saturday, April 14 Plogging Day 8:30a Running, jogging, or walking & picking up litter. Route TBA at Plogging Day Isla Mujeres & Action for Isla.
Sunday, April 15 Noches Magicas performances on the Town Square 8p Free.
Thursday, April 19 Artist Fair 3-8p Casa de la Cultura on the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo. (It hasn't yet been announced when the Thursday Artist Fairs will be discontinued, which could occur in April or May.)
Saturday, April 21 Plogging Day 8:30a Running, jogging, or walking & picking up litter. Route TBA at Plogging Day Isla Mujeres & Action for Isla.
Sunday, April 22 Earth Day Action for Isla usually has clean up events. The past two years divers and snorkelers cleaned under thedowntown piers, and groups picked up trash along the Caribbean beaches.
Sunday, April 22 Noches Magicas performances on the Town Square 8p Free.
Thursday, April 26 Artist Fair 3-8p Casa de la Cultura on the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo. (It hasn't yet been announced when the Thursday Artist Fairs will be discontinued, which could occur in April or May.)
Saturday, April 7 Plogging Day 8:30a Running, jogging, or walking & picking up litter. Route TBA at Plogging Day Isla Mujeres & Action for Isla.
Sunday, April 29 Noches Magicas performances on the Town Square 8p Free.
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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