Cozumel Marina Mishap, Cozumel Beer Festival, Car Ferry Holiday Rates, Mexico Waterjets Lowers Ferry Rates, Cozumel Ladies Breakfast, Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, In Aurita’s Cozumel Corner: Homeowner Tax and Garbage Discounts Still in effect, Mexico 2017 Minimum Wage Increase, TCS Christmas Vacation, and Cozumel December Schedule of Events.
Cozumel Marina Mishap
Last Sunday Staff working in the public area of the Cozumel Marina cleaned the boat ramp with gallons of chlorine. The chemical reached the sea, killing hundreds of fish.
The witness said that at least ten gallons of chlorine was used to clean the ramps and that the workers ignored their warning about the dangers to the protected waters. Operators and boat owners docked at the Cozumel Marina are fined if they used strong solvents to wash their boats or throw waste into the water.
The result was that on Monday a layer of dead fish covered the surface near the entrance ramp.
The Cozumel Marina is operated by the Port Authority of Quintana Roo. At the time of this article they had not responded to the complaint.
Cozumel’s Buccanos at Night Open for The Season!
Multi-ethnic, multi-sensory dining experience where flavors clash on purpose. Contemporary seafood, fresh fish & premium quality ingredients that change with the season. Ocean view dining terrace with a panoramic view of the mainland skyline enhanced by torches & candlelight. A more relaxed and social approach to dining awaits you at ‘Buccanos at Night’ An Enchanting Location for Fine Dining on Friday and Saturday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Openings fill up fast, so make your reservations: 01 987 872 0100 or Email buccanos@yahoo.com. Buccanos is located in Hotel zone north of Cozumel at Private San Juan Beach Costera Norte Km 4.5.
Cozumel Beer Festival
“Festival de la Cerveza Isla Cozumel” will be held during the holiday season on December 16th and 17th in Benito Juarez Park.
According to information posted on social network, the event, will offer more than 200 beers from different countries that can be enjoyed on both days of the festival.
The event will feature various activities, such as conferences, competitions, tastings, live music, workshops and microbreweries.
The sale of tickets began on November 28, and will end on December 15th. The cost is $100 pesos, which includes access to the two – day festival, a commemorative glass, a complimentary beer, an express line and unlimited entry to the Festival. The day of the event, the price will be $130 pesos per day.
Sergio’s Silver from Taxco
Sergio’s Silver from Taxco is a fourth generation, family-owned and operated silver jewelry business that began in Taxco, a town in the state of Guerrero known worldwide as the “Silver Capital of Mexico”. They are ranked #1 in Trip Advisors.
My family has personally purchased from Sergio’s as well as trusted them to design create new jewelry from family heirlooms. Others living in Cozumel have also praised their work. You are guaranteed personal attention from the Hernandez family members, who have over forty years of experience in the business. “Our goal is to earn the trust and loyalty of our customer. We strive to provide outstanding customer service so your shopping experience will be enjoyable and you will look forward to visiting us again soon.
” They are located at the Town Square Park on Juárez Ave. #117 x 5th Ave. They are open Mon- Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 8 p.m. Phone: 01 987 872 7632 Email: sergiosilver@live.com.mxWebsite: http://www.sergiosilver.com
Car Ferry Holiday Rates!
Transcaribe will be offering a discounted Holiday Rate from December 16th – January 2nd, 2017 for CARS only. The rate will be $400 pesos one way for up to five passengers. It is a great deal if you drive a car, SUBs, Vans, pickups, etc. are not included. Commercial vehicles or trailers are also excluded. Show your local credentials to qualify. Check out the fancy new ship!
Albatros Charters
Fishing & Cruising Cozumel
987-872-7904
info@cozumel-fishing.com
http://albatroscharters.com/
Sport Fishing: Albatros Charters offers private sport fishing at its best. We supply all the necessary fishing gear – the lures, the bait, the licenses and refreshments. We want to make your trip easy, fun and memorable. Sport fish are plentiful in our waters, but please remember, these are deep sea “fishing” trips, not “catching” trips. We have an Experienced, professional & fun crew!
Cozumel Cruising: Cozumel offers something for just about everyone who loves being on the water. If you’d like to take a day off from diving or fishing, we offer a variety of special day cruises that are sure to create memories of a lifetime! Perfect for families or celebrating special occasions…or for no occasion at all! Spending a relaxing day with beautiful views of our island and the Caribbean is an occasion on any day! Ask about our special unadvertised trips (we cruise to some secret spots on the island where nobody else goes)!
Mexico Waterjets Lowers Ferry Rates
The shipping Company Mexico Waterjets decided to significantly reduce the cost of ferry crossing tickets from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, or Cozumel to Playa del Carmen in support of the local economy. The ticket costs were as follows; for Cozumel residents with voter registration card, driver ‘s license and / or Local Plan the cost per one-way ticket is $65 pesos, round trip will be $100 pesos, while for minors the ticket per one-way trip is now $30 pesos.
For non-residents the one-way cost per ticket is $83 pesos and round trip is $150 pesos. This is a reduction of $30 pesos each way. Seniors with credential from the National Institute of Older Persons (INAPAM) will only pay $30 pesos per one-way trip and $60 pesos for a round trip ticket.
Reminder: The Cozumel Sun has instructions on how to apply for (Senior Card) INAPAM and (Local Plan) Plan Locale in the GUIDE section under IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS.
Cozumel Ladies Breakfast for Wednesday December 14th at 9 a.m.
This week we are meeting at La Choza on Av 10 between Calle 3 & Salas. It is on the west side of the street. The menu is quite reasonable.
The Cozumel Women’s Breakfast Club meets every Wednesday at a designated restaurant in Cozumel. In the spirit of helping support local merchants, the group patronizes as many restaurants as possible throughout the year. Normally, there are a minimum of three visits to each restaurant.
In addition to meeting wonderful Ladies from all over the world, the breakfast club is an excellent source of information gathering and networking. Breakfasts are informative and FUN! All Women are welcome to join us, even if you are just visiting our beautiful Island.
If you wish to be placed on the mailing list, contact: Betty Li at cozumel.ladies.breakfast@gmail.com.
Cozumel Ladies Breakfast Wednesday, December 7th, 2016
Location: La Choza Restaurant
Pictured:
Janet Kollman Sherry Hillman
Trudy Lane Bobbie Grimard
Henri Clarke Pearl Romero
Sharon Miller Carmen
Aura (Aurita) Holguin-Resch Nancy Beeman
Betty Li Debbie Haehn
Maureen Deacon Susan Eliiot
Valli Marcoe M. Reid
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Another reminder to all my readers that are living abroad or/and traveling abroad to enroll in STEP. They will email you travel warnings as they arise worldwide. It is also good to have your embassy know where you are at and who to contact in case of an emergency. I can’t stress the importance enough! Stay Informed, Stay Connected, Stay Safe. Enroll in STEP!
What is STEP?
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad to enroll with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Benefits of enrolling in STEP:
Receive the latest safety and security information for your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
Stay Informed.
When you enroll in STEP, you will automatically receive the most current information we have about your destination country, including:
Security and Emergency Message updates from the U.S. Embassy
Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts
Just sign up once, and then add trips later for all your future travel plans!
Stay Connected.
Enrolling in STEP will help the U.S. Embassy to contact you and provide assistance to you in an emergency. The information you provide in STEP will make it easier for consular officers at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to contact you and your loved ones during an emergency — including situations where your family or friends in the U.S. are having difficulty contacting you with important news.
Stay Safe.
We believe that a well-informed traveler is a safer traveler. Our consular officers around the world compile Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, fact sheets and emergency messages to provide you with timely and accurate information about every country where you may travel.
We include reports on risks and security threats so that you can make informed decisions about your travel plans and activities.
Stay informed by connecting with us via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so you can have safe and enjoyable travels!
To Enroll Now: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/step.html
Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior Back in Cozumel
At 13:15 pm yesterday, the Rainbow Warrior berthed on the inner side of the pier “Punta Lagosta” with cruise Navigator of the Seas and Disney Wonder, calling the attention of cruise ship tourists and inhabitants of Cozumel.
This is the fourth visit of the ship to the island since the 90s, when they added this port to their itinerary. During its last visit in 2014 the inhabitants of Cozumel were treated to tours of the ship, but at this time the program of activities this stay is not yet known. It is estimated that the ship is here until Sunday morning.
The ship is famous because it was launched on July 10, 1989, on the fourth anniversary of the sinking of a ship by the same name. The original ship was sunk in New Zealand in 1985 by a French secret service agent who planted two bombs in the ship.
Edith Martinez, Coordinator of Communication of Greenpeace Mexico, said that the ship arrived from Cancun where it was present at the 13th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity of the United Nations (COP13), where issues of the conservation of marine, agricultural and forest biodiversity are addressed.
He also disclosed that the vessel will be used by Mexican researchers to conduct a census of corals and fish in Isla Contoy, Arrecife Alacranes, Cayo Arenas, Triangle Islands, Cozumel, Arrecife Bishop and Cayo Arcas; all points that are part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, in order to know the status of these marine organisms in protected natural areas.
Aurita’s Corner
Notice this edition of The Cozumel is a little ahead of schedule? You are right! I am trying hard to get ready for our Christmas vacation! We are taking a family trip via ADO bus Company to Coatzacoalcos, Vera Cruz Mexico. It will be a trip full of firsts for us, riding the Platinum ADO Bus long distance, going to a traditional Mexican Wedding, riding the regular ADO back home, and of course, Christmas in between it all! I will have plenty of interesting things to write to you about!
We leave the 16th of December and will be back December 27th. I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a wonderful Holiday Season!
I forgot to remind everyone last week that the Cozumel Homeowner Discounts for Predial or Property Taxes and Garbage Collections are still in effect. If you qualify and hold an INAPAM or Senior Card, your discount will be 50%! Otherwise:
Pay between December 1st – December 31st and get a 15% discount
Pay between January 1st – February 28th and get a 10% discount To apply for a senior card (INAPAM) follow the instructions in the Cozumel Sun Website under “Important Documents” in the GUIDE section!
Mexico 2017 Minimum Wage Increase
A few Local Citizens have written a commentary about the upcoming 2017 minimum wage increase in Mexico. I have taken the “jest” of their calculations and translated them for you:
On December 1, the National Minimum Wage Commission (Conasami) announced that the daily income for salaried workers will rise 4 pesos to $80.04 pesos in 2017.
If we consider that there are 24 working days of each month, this increase translates to a monthly income of $1,921 pesos for approximately 7 million workers in Mexico.
In contrast, the monthly per person cost of a basic food basket in urban areas is estimated at $1,346.46 pesos; this is an average it may suffer variations daily.
You should also consider other expenses which include health, education, transportation, housing, personal care, entertainment and clothing, which is estimated at around $1,361 pesos each month.
Both monthly expenses add up to $2,707.46 pesos, or $786 pesos less than earned. This is per person, impossible to support a child or spouse. The question raised is why even calculate it lower than the cost of living?
Another interesting comparison was last year’s minimum wage translated to dollars compared to this new minimum wage translated to dollars is actually a DECREASE due to the exchange
Cozumel December 2016 Calendar of Events
December 9th, Lighting of Christmas Trees and Ornaments
Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe
December 12th
Beer Fest! December 16th & 17th
Winter Solstice – Solsticio de Invierno
December 21st
Christmas Eve – Noche Buena
December 24th
Christmas Day – Dia de Navidad
December 25th
Day of the Holy Innocents
Dia de los Santos Inocentes
December 28th
New Year’s Eve
La vispera de Año Nuevo
December 31st
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