Cozumel News March 30, 2014

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In Cozumel news March 30, 2014 we report on The Casino and the Diamond in The Rough, New Displays for the Maritime Terminal, and a special edition of Medical Emergencies in Cozumel as written in The Cozumel Sun’s Living in Cozumel Guide.

The Casino and the Diamond in The Rough

The Department of Urban Development has reported that it has issued building permits authorizing the work to resume in the construction of two projects, the Casino on 30^th Avenue and the Diamonds International building on the waterfront next to Palmeras.

The casino was built in 2013, but had been suspended for various reasons of noncompliance with documents and permits. They have now filed the necessary documents and followed the procedures to attain the permits and paid the necessary fees. It is unknown if they already have the federal grant and operating license, but they have everything in order at the local level.

The theme of the casino proved controversial in the past administration, starting with the location where it sits, 30th Avenue and 29th Street South, to certain irregularities of the machines that were delivered to the building at the time.

The building of the Diamond International site in what was formerly “Miro” on Melgar Avenue, was more complicated. After the purchase, all kinds of red tape came up about appearance of the new building as it sits front and center of the town’s main park and across from the passenger ferry where tourism traffic is the heaviest. In addition to what the building will look like, construction issues also had to be resolved such as bringing in material when there is the least amount of traffic.

NEW Displays for the Maritime Terminal

The Maritime terminal of San Miguel, known to most of us as the passenger Ferry terminal, will be getting interesting memorabilia to place on display from the Port Authority of Quintana Roo (Apiqroo) and the private sector.

The National Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Services (Kanak-Servytur), made ​​a donation of an anchor with the inscription “Isla Cozumel”,  that was placed on the outside of the terminal, managing to right away draw the attention of passengers.

They will be placing the retired beacon from Caletita on display as well as other objects that relate to the maritime environment, seeking to improve the appearance and display area of the terminal.

The official figures recorded the arrival of about 400 thousand passengers from Playa del Carmen last year, and expect a two percent increase this year. Attractive displays are photographed by visitors and placed on the social media, thus giving the island an invaluable source of free advertisement.

 Medical Emergencies for Residents & Tourists

If you should need to call for a medical emergency, be ready to let the ambulance driver know what hospital you wish to be transported to. Some hospitals are expensive if you do not have insurance coverage. If you have a medical condition and your Spanish is not fluent, have a Spanish translation of the problem or problems handy to make it easier for you to communicate with the paramedics. Examples of things you might want to list are high blood pressure, heart condition, diabetic, allergies, and symptoms. There are many bilingual Doctors on the Island. However, be ready in the event your Doctor is not available.

Everyone vacationing should know if your insurance is accepted at any of the local hospitals. Ambulances are privately run, and get paid by taking you to certain clinics. Have a name of a hospital or clinic available and demand to be taken there. Have enough funds in your credit and debit cards to cover medical expenses, and funeral expenses, including returning the remains home. Consider purchasing flight insurance. Changing a flight departure date due to illness or death can cost up to $400! Flight insurance can cover medical expenses not covered by your regular insurance company.

When you move to Mexico, you should acquaint yourself with the local medical and health facilities available in your area. Find out where your nearest hospitals and clinics are, as well doctors, dentists and opticians and keep their telephone contact numbers at hand. You can find this information out from neighbors, friends, work colleagues or contact your local consulate who are able to give you a list of local health facilities in the city or town where you live. The Cozumel Sun has a listing of Service Providers for your convenience.

Have these instructions and numbers written on a card that you carry with you at all times. In emergency situations you do not think clearly enough to remember who to call.

Although Mexico has a number of universal emergency numbers, numbers for specific emergency services vary by state and locality, so ask about the numbers for the local police, ambulance and fire station and keep these handy by the home and office phone (and save them in your mobile phone).

The equivalent of 911 (or in Europe 112, 999) is 066 in Cozumel, Mexico. You can ask for the police, an ambulance or the fire brigade on this number.

Some insurance companies supply their own emergency contact numbers to policy holders and will connect you to an English-speaking operator.

Divers, here are your Chambers and Dive Medicine Specialist:

Coming Soon: Interview with person in charge of dispatching ambulances!