~Please visit our sponsors~
or at www.mvcisla.com
email: info@mvcisla.com
Tues.
April 12, Astra Zeneca vaccines will be available at the Bicentennial
Dome in colonia La Gloria for those over 18, who need 1st, 2nd or 3rd
(booster) doses.
The
Langosteros of Isla Mujeres will play a preseason game against Los
Tigres de Q Roo, this Saturday, April 16, at El Pescador baseball field
in front of Chedraui, starting at 1pm.
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~~NEWS SUMMARY~~
>>A
new buoy line has been installed at Playa Norte. The Harbor Master said
it will be a double-line with the first one 50 meters offshore and the
other 20 meters past it, to protect the swimmers while allowing the
small, outboard-boats to enter the middle area. He also said a kilometer
of sargasso barriers will be installed to protect North Beach. He
mentioned that they had 8 jetskis in custody, awaiting their
documentation.
>>Workers
with ZOFEMAT, who clean our beaches early each day, have been receiving
help from City employees, and their teamwork has kept Isla's beaches
clean and beautiful. The first set and the "Before/After" photos are
from today, the other beach photos are from yesterday.
>>The
Tourism Department now has four service booths downtown, open from 10a
to 5p located: 1) On Medina in front of their old office, next to INM (N
of ferry terminal); 2) On Medina in front of Playa Centro, next to
Coco's Restaurant; 3) Playa Norte near Hotel Ixchel; 4)On Guerrero, the
back street, in front of the Casa del la Cultura by their office. Phone
+52 998 877 0307.
>>Free
Zumba classes have started at the esplanade of the Community Center at
8:10a and 7:30p, Monday thru Friday. Register at the offices of the
Instancia Municipal de la Mujer, M-F, 9a-4p.
>>The
Art & Culture Fair concluded successfully yesterday, with dance
performances by folklorico troupes, jazz troupes, other troupes and
salsa dancing. Prizes were awarded for the beach volleyball & soccer
tournaments. Check out the mural that was painted at the Casa de la
Cultura honoring La Trova Islena musicians.
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Sunday... The
Harbor Master explained that permission has been given for the
installation of double-buoy lines at North Beach. The first one will be
the one closest to the coast, about 50 meters out. The other will be
about 20 meters past it, with a dual function. This will protect the
tourists (swimmers) and allow the small boats with outboard engines to
enter (the middle area). They are also going to maintain barriers of
about 1000 meters (1 km) to prevent the sargasso from landing on North
Beach. They are supposed to begin with the first barrier yesterday or
today and finish in about a week. The second one is being manufactured
and will be installed after it arrives. He said they are ready and will
be busy, and expect a "Saldo Blanco" (no serious incidents) for the
holiday period. He said sanctions will continue to be issued as always,
noting they have eight motos (presumably jetskis) impounded until
documentation is submitted and they are each proven to be legal and in
compliance with maritime law. (Translated from video by Noti Isla Mujeres, April 9. )
Sunday... The
Mayor thanked everyone who helped with the cleanup yesterday in colonia
Salina Chica and extended an invitation to participate in next
Saturday's cleanup. She also posted photos from last evening's Art &
Culture fair. Tonight is the final night--starts at 6p.
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Sunday,,
April 10--The municipal government says they are working in
coordination with the other two levels of government to coordinate
security operations to ensure everyone's safety during this vacation
period in our beautiful Isla Mujeres.
The graphic says Keeping our beaches clean is the responsibility of everyone. "I'm Broomie & I want to see our Isla clean!"
Punta Sur
Next
Friday is the Viacrusis / Stations of the Cross--The reenactment,
carrying the cross, goes from Guadalupe Chapel to the church on the Town
Square, downtown, from 10a to noon. In the evening at both churches:
The Meditation & Penance, Celebration of the 7 words, Celebration of
the Passion of Christ, Silent Procession, Rosary of Condolences for the
Virgin.
Saturday is the Silent Vigil.
Easter Sunday of Resurrection at the four churches as listed.
Saturday...Free
activities for kids--whose Easter vacation began today. They include
classes in English, literacy, cookie-decorating, crafts, and basketball,
as well as basketball competitions and Zumba. On Saturday, April 16 at
7p, there will be a Folklorico troupe performance at the Casa de la Cultura esplanade.
Civil Protection is encouraging residents to take advantage of their
expertise to ensure their propane hook-ups are safe. CP is offering free
inspections and you can come by their office for advice. He says a
common problem is purchasing the wrong type of hose, such as hoses meant
for water. Another common problem is tanks that are in need of
replacing, mostly due to rust.
A recent home-fire caused by a propane tank sent a family to the
hospital, with the parents suffering extensive, serious burns. Another
from a hose-leak was extinguished by neighbors without damages, but
frightened the homeowner & her neighbors. Fire extinguishers from
businesses often provide a vital first-response when there's a fire in
their vicinity. If there's none at your tourism rental, odds are
excellent that it's unlicensed & illegal.
Businesses are required to have annual inspections of their propane
and electrical systems, including all tourism rentals. This year, Civil
Protection also requires an additional overall compliance inspection.
Requirements include emergency exit signage and having fire
extinguishers recharged or replaced yearly, as well as annual
certificates from Fire Safety and First Aid courses. Rentals with pools
now need Water Safety class certification and signage. The new
requirements may also include smoke detectors and emergency lighting.
Gas detectors and flame retardant for palapas have also been mentioned
in response to last month's palapa fires at Dolphin Discovery and last
year's downtown fires.
The new requirements and increased enforcement has put pressure on
many small businesses. Therefore, the deadline for compliance has been
extended to May 31st, making it easier for this segment, who make up 80%
of licensed island businesses. This year, Civil Protection is providing
the courses at their facility, during the renewal period.
Municipal licenses require annual payments for trash collection,
signage, zoning (uso de suelo), and Ecology. For hotels & other
tourism rentals, this year the municipal government added a nightly
Sanitation Fee which equals ~$11usd per week, per guest, to be paid
monthly.
Before issuing a municipal license, the City also ensures the
business is registered with SAT to pay federal IVA taxes (16%). They
check that rentals have state licenses, which require monthly payment of
the 3% state hospedaje tax. It's a means for paying the tax and not
comparable to a municipal license.
A majority of the B&B-type rentals on Isla are said to be unlicensed and foreign-owned.
Their unfair competition is annoying the licensed businesses,
particularly the small Mexican hotel owners & the licensed
B&B's. They're bypassing safety inspections & pocketing money
that would otherwise help contribute to our overly-stressed
infrastructure.
Meeting these requirements indicates respect for your safety & the
island--it's costly & complex. If your rental lacks fire
extinguishers, a first-aid box & emergency signs, and management
won't provide a copy of their municipal license, it's safe to assume
they're unlicensed. When visitors decline to rent from unlicensed
B&B's, and instead choose rentals who care about their safety and
contribute to Isla's infrastructure, they're sending a message to the
owners of unlicensed rentals. Let them know it's not okay for islanders
to bear the costs of infrastructure, while foreigners reap the benefits
and evade their responsibilities. It makes us all look bad.
FRIDAY,
April 8>>The weekly Saturday cleanup will meet tomorrow at 7:30am
at the kindergarten at the north end of colonia Salina Chica (where the
road is very wide with a freshly painted crosswalk, across from Casa
Ixchel). The volunteers will gather afterward at the Salina Chica Kiosk.
>>The
Art & Culture Fair continues thru Sunday on the esplanade behind
the Casa de la Cultura. Announcements originally said 4-9p, but
tonight's said 6p. It includes entertainment on the stage (including
dancers young & old), murals & workshops, a collective art
exposition, artisans & food vendors, and a tournaments of beach
soccer & volleyball next-door at Playa Media Luna.
>>This
is the first weekend of the Semana Santa Easter holidays, which is one
of the busiest times of the year on the island. The Governor expects the
state to receive more than a million visitors (1,170,000+) between
April 8th and 24th who will enjoy the beauty of the Mexican Caribbean.
"We will serve our visitors with quality, warmth, and with caring for
health."
>>Despite
this morning's rain, courtesy of Cold Front #41, the crew of ZOFEMAT
were out cleaning the beaches, with help from staff of the DIF, social
service agency. Civil Protection workers attended to flooded areas with
portable pumps.
>>The
squiggles on the weather map forecast windy weather this weekend, from
norte #41. The "A" means a high pressure system and the big blue arrow
is the subtropical jet-stream current.
>>This
morning several scooters had accidents near "The Village" on the
Caribbean coastal road, including this fellow transporting eggs, due to
fuel on the road. Civil Protection was notified and cleaned up the slick
area. Screenshot from video by Noti Isla Mujeres.
>>Photos
of Isla Mujeres are featured on this week's national Lottery tickets,
including one of the Ixchel statues at Punta Sur. (There's a new one
since the renovation, of her sitting in a crescent moon.) The drawing is
Tuesday.
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Friday... Photos from the first day of the Art & Culture Fair at the Casa de la Cultura esplanade yesterday. There's also beach volleyball & soccer tournaments scheduled next-door at Playa Media Luna. 4-9p thru Sunday. (The start time changed to 6p on Friday and afterward)
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Friday, April 8--NOTE---The
duration of the Dry Law / Ley Seca has been shortened to 3am to 6 pm on
Sunday, April 10th. (Previously it was midnight to midnight.) The Dry
Law is in force on Sunday due to the "Proceso de Revocacion de Mandato",
which is an opportunity for citizens to vote on whether to keep the
President in office or remove him with a vote of no confidence. (The
rules are that alcohol is still served to foreigners in the Tourist
Zones during the Ley Seca, with food, but it's not sold at stores.)
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Both zones of the state remain in Green thru the 17th of April. All of Mexico is Green on the national map, for the second consecutive two-week period. In Quintana Roo, there are no intubated patients and there have been no deaths in recent days, The daily graphic reports Hospital Occupancy in the Northern Zone at 0%,
The Governor was pleased that the municipalities are at or near an average of zero cases daily, and we were reminded not to let our guard down, particularly in Isla Mujeres and Solidaridad (where Playa del Carmen is located).
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Thursday....Today
the Security Operations began for the Easter / Semana Santa holidays
which will conclude after Easter on the 17th. You'll probably see
patrols on the streets and on foot on the beaches, Hidalgo, Medina . . .
Naval/Federal, state and municipal officers. Because Mexicans are
voting on Sunday, the Dry Law goes in effect at midnight on Saturday,
throughout Sunday, except in the Tourist Zone, foreigners can buy
alcoholic beverages (technically, with food), but no package-alcohol on
sale at the convenience stores, groceries, etc until Monday.
MaraVilla Caribe Bed & Beach
Four rentals with large glass doors overlooking our white
sand beach and
the beautiful Caribbean sea, with
kitchenettes & fast WIFI. In the upscale
neighborhood of Bachilleres,
convenient to downtown
or
the colonias, yet
separate. Quiet & Private.
Free
amenities include hammocks,
portable beach
chairs, beach towels,
washer & dryer, loungers, shared bikes, BBQ grill, and safes. Panoramic
views from the
rooftop terrace. Large sliding doors open to a patio &
the white sand backyard-beach, overlooking the Caribbean sea. Downtown
is ~ a mile away; we're on
all four bus routes or flag a $3 taxi. Off street parking. In the quiet
neighborhood of Bachilleres, sleep to the sounds of the sea.. $275/$325/$425 wk $40/50/$65nt
Monthly Discounts
Fine dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. We provide a list of links & direction to over 20 eateries within ten minutes walk, including Mango Cafe, Mike's Pizza, Brisas, Rosa Sirena, Coco Jaguar, Manolitos, Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, and the large department store-grocery Chedraui & the local craft brewery. Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend Yoga classes a couple villas away at Casa Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks away in the village, as well as a variety of other stores.
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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
LINK to GOES East Band 16 GIF (animation)
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres
LINK to US National Hurricane Center
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