Beginning in December 2002, Insider was proudly the first website to provide readers the Cozumel News in English.
Articles are slected from local newspapers which we feel will be of interest to our diverse audience. These articles are then translated into English. We cannot always investigate the veracity of a particular article but offer these translations as a reflection of the Cozumel community news just as reporters write it for Por Esto, Diario de Quintana Roo, Novedades and El Seminario and many other sources.
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Note: All translated articles are the property of Cozumel Insider and cannot be used, displayed or reproduced without express written permission from Cozumel Insider.
03/25/2024 - Numbers increase slightly this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 32 ships registered to dock as we welcome Spring. This is 2 more ships than last week and 12 more than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 27 ships in port during the same week of 2023. An estimated 112,000 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US $12 million dollars behind in the local economy.
High season for cruise ship arrivals typically runs from November 15 - April 15 each year with the remaining 7 months of the year considered "low season." This week Puerta Maya pier will be host to 12 ships docking there, 11 ships will dock at SSA International pier while Punta Langosta pier will see 9 arrivals and the downtown San Miguel pier will have 0 arrival with passengers tendering in.
On Monday 2 ship will dock, 7 ships will dock on Tuesday, 5 ships on Wednesday, 6 ships on Thursday, 6 ships on Friday, 5 ships on Saturday and Sunday will see 1 ship in port. To see a complete list of this week's ship arrivals, please visit Insider's Weekly Cruise Ship Schedule
Playa Del Carmen To Lose Popular Public Beach To Cozumel Underwater Cable Project
A popular beach area in central Playa del Carmen is set to become the mainland home for a power station for Cozumel. The municipality’s Blue Flag beach Playa 88 has been awarded for CFE use. The 200 square meters of beach area was handed over by federal officials for CFE (Comisión Federal de Electricidad) use for the construction of underground power cables that will run to the island of Cozumel.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) approved the CFE land use for the ongoing underwater cable project last week. Federal officials made the decision final through a publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF). In that publication, the federal government, through the Ministry of the Interior, specified that access to Playa 88 in Playa del Carmen has been designated for the service of the CFE along with 200 square meters of beach. The public beach area will be used for “the underground construction of a transmission line with submarine cable corresponding to the LT Playa del Carmen-Chankaanab II project,” the document reads. It will be approximately one month before the beach access will be closed to the general public. According to the document, once the CFE begins work, public beach access will not be allowed.
Lourdes Várguez, the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente Sustentable y Cambio Climático and Zofemat for Solidaridad, says the municipality will do everything possible to fight the decision and keep the beach. The CFE is planning to build a station from that point of the mainland of Playa del Carmen to run a 30.6 kilometer underwater power cable to the island of Cozumel.
Invasive Boas And Pythons Violate The Ecosystems Of Cozumel
Introduced species such as boas and pythons represent a negative impact on the ecosystems of Cozumel, due to the lack of surveillance and, on the other hand, the lack of knowledge of the people who introduce them to the island.
Ángel Rafael Chacón Díaz, director of the civil organization “Endemicos”, highlighted that it is necessary to apply the regulations that exist in environmental matters to prevent the arrival of species such as the Ball Python, which when released into the habitats of the island are placed in the top of the food chain and can wipe out entire local species. He stated that invasive wild organisms are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss around the world, since they can overcome environmental barriers, adapt, reproduce and establish new populations, as is the case of the Boa constrictor Linnaeus, which arrived on the island as part of the production of a film that was filmed in the 1970s, which was released upon completion. The constrictor is responsible for the reduction in the population of species such as the Cozumel harvest mouse (Reithrodon tomys spectabilis), a rodent endemic to Cozumel.
The biologist explained that these reptiles are present in Cozumel mainly because they have been introduced by man clandestinely and illegally, or through authorized purchases in pet stores. In the second case, he believed that this contravenes the environmental provisions that Cozumel has as a Biosphere Reserve of the Man and the Biosphere Program or in English known as Man and the Biosphere Program (MaB-Unesco, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization). According to these guidelines and the results of studies that have been carried out in many parts of the world on the deterioration it causes in the native fauna, on the islands it is even more harmful and therefore Cozumel should monitor and seek action plans to minimize that impact. When asked if these management plans exist for exotic species such as boas and pythons in Cozumel, he responded that he is not aware that this exists. He gave as an example that a few years ago an albino boa was found, which he rescued and made available to the Environmental Management Unit System (SUMA) of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).
Although he accepted that in the urban area the seizures of these large snakes are not very common, their presence in inhabited areas is an indication that a large number of them could be released into the jungle areas irresponsibly. According to studies by the Island Ecology and Conservation Group, A.C. (GECI), among the effects that invasive species cause on the islands are predation, competition for space and food, destruction and fragmentation of habitats, this without leaving aside the physical and chemical damage to the soil. Other effects have to do with the imbalance in food webs, diseases, introduction of seeds, parasites, without taking into account the risk, health and economy of local communities.
Goodbye To Horse Abuse! The End Of The Buggies In Cozumel Is Getting Closer
With the new reforms in the Animal Protection and Welfare Law in Quintana Roo (LPBA), "the exploitation and mistreatment of horses in Cozumel will be eliminated completely and forever, since the statute is very clear." This was stated by the representative for Cozumel, Maritza Deyanira Basurto Basurto.
The representative for Cozumel, Maritza Basurto, pointed out that the businessmen who use these animals to pull carts on tourist tours will no longer be able to continue doing so, once it is published in the Official Newspaper of the State of Quintana Roo. She added that the protections of businessmen in the sector will be without effect and without the possibility of seeking protection again. The councilor of the island council and president of the Commission of Ecology, Environment and Environmental Protection, Genny Aracelly Martínez Koh, accepted not knowing how many and in what condition the horses that are used by the carriage drivers, as well as their destination when they are removed from circulation.
In a telephone conversation, the legislator explained that on February 26, the reforms to the LPBA were approved with only one vote against, which means that a citizen demand dating back to 2005 for the exploitation and mistreatment of these animals for long periods of time is finally fulfilled. The horses often go with long work days and without proper care. Animal activists are to thank for supporting the protection law
She thanked the social organizations that protect animals that since they have been fighting for this to be eradicated and despite the fact that the recent Mobility Law of the State of Quintana Roo prohibits it, this continued to occur due to a discrepancy in the law, of which she did not give any details but she said that the important thing is that now the horse-drawn buggies will soon disappear from the streets of Cozumel. The plurinominal of the Citizen Movement party recalled that the permit holders of this service on the island, mainly José Julio Azcorra Rejón, after presenting their first electric cart on September 23, 2022, having initiated the procedures to put several into operation and with this stop using horses as a driving force, which never happened.
November 25, 2019 was the date that marked the ban in Quintana Roo on bullfights, cockfights and dog fights, as well as the use of buggies for tourist purposes, based on the provisions of the LPBA. Four days before, José Julio Azcorra Rejón, the main buggy permit holder in the municipality of Cozumel, announced that he was only waiting for the publication of the law to present an amparo, which he won taking advantage of a discrepancy and was able to work until now.
On May 29, 2020, the Cozumel Council approved the proposal for Municipal Ordinance that reformed, added and repealed various provisions and articles of the Transportation Regulations for the Municipality of Cozumel, among which the circulation of vehicles is prohibited for animal traction on paved roads on the island, thus complying with the laws of the State. “The City Council does not even consider them in its transportation regulations. There are no permits, no place to park downtown; That is, they have been completely illegal for years,” he concluded.
Arizona Woman Returns Mexican Heritage Pieces From Private Collection
A woman from Tucson, Arizona has voluntarily returned more than dozen archaeological pieces to Mexican authorities. The delivery of the pieces took place at the Mexican Consulate in Tucson last Friday.
Mexico’s INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia) has since determined that the 13 returned pieces date from the Classic Mesoamerican (200-750 AD) and Postclassic Mesoamerican (1200 AD-1541 AD) periods. According to experts from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), it was determined that these heritage assets correspond to cultures of the Central Highlands. Pieces of Teotihuacan style such as a miniature mask and fragments of anthropomorphic figurines as well as an anthropomorphic figurine in the Mexica style, which represents a female character wearing a headdress, ear muffs and a quechquemitl (a garment formed by two united rectangles) and holding an infant on her lap were part of the 13 returned. A necklace of spherical and discoidal beads made of greenish metamorphic rock as well as a bifacial knife and a pair of winches were also in the return.
The objects, considered movable archaeological monuments of the Mexican nation, were delivered to the consulate in a ceremony attended by U.S. citizen Julie Qashu who had the pieces. Oashu said she wanted to return them to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Mexico. “The restitution of these pieces constitutes an example of the cooperation between Mexico with various countries in matters of protection of heritage assets, as well as an example of good international practices for the conservation of the historical past of nations and the commitment of individuals with the return of cultural objects to their places of origin,” the SRE (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores) reported. Private collectors abroad who currently have Mexican pieces in possession are invited to join in the protection and safeguarding of these assets, and to return them for study, conservation and dissemination, since they are objects that bear witness to the identity and memory of the native peoples of Mexico.
Need a LEGAL U.S. Notary Service? THIS is your solution!
It has happened to ALL of us U.S. Citizens who spend significant amounts of time living / working in Cozumel: reading the dreaded words on a document from back home: "Notarized Signature Required." It's such a simple thing and no one wants the added expense of travelling back to the U.S. just to have their signature notarized but there are many legal processes in the U.S.A. where nothing BUT a notarized signature will be accepted.
Some common documents that U.S. Citizens need notarized while living abroad are: Real Estate Deeds or Mortgages, executing Wills, Powers of Attorney, requests for Birth / Marriage / Death Certificates, Permission for a parent to get a minor’s US Passport, banking / insurance / bonding documents, permission for a minor to travel without parents or application for duplicate or replacement vehicle titles just to name a few.
In the past, the most common solution was for a U.S. Citizen to make their way to the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy where notaries are always available but the fees involved can be quite expensive. In addition there is the cost of actually travelling to the Consulate and who knows if appointments will even be available especially if the notarized signature is needed urgently. Plus from Cozumel that Consulate visit includes the cost of a ferry round trip to get to Playa del Carmen. All of these complicating factors just create more of a headache for something that is supposed to be relatively easy and inexpensive.
Another option frequently used has been that of a U.S. Notary operating outside of their country and jurisdiction. While this option is usually easy and cheap (often free or for a donation), it is one of those situations where "you get what you pay for" because technically these U.S. Notaries are operating ILLEGALLY as they are outside the legal jurisdiction for which they are authorized to notarize documents. In theory an illegal notarization could be attacked and challenged in the future and nullified causing legal issues with the documents signed. A fraud challenge to a Notary operating outside of the USA, simply involves a court asking the Notary to present their passport to the judge. Immigration stamps inside the passport will prove the Notary's whereabouts when documents were signed and if this was done inside the Notary's legal jurisdiction or illegally outside their authorized jurisdiction.
So do yourself a favor and avoid any future Signature Notary problems by utilizing an ON-LINE NOTARY SERVICE. Thanks to remote online notarization (RON), you can notarize a document from anywhere in the world, using your computer or mobile device and the internet. It takes only 10 minutes and is quite an easy process right from the comfort of your own home or office any hour of the day or night.
All you need to do is click this link 24/7 Online Notary Service To use this service, the fee is $25 USD and you must have a device with audio- visual capabilities (like a smart phone, tablet or PC) and proof of identity (a valid US Government-issued photo ID such as a Driver’s License or Passport). You can then access and meet with a licensed Notary Public who will notarize your papers in a matter of minutes. The process is easy, quick, efficient and AVAILABLE 24/7 online!! So WHY take a chance doing it any other way?!
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August 22, 2023 (Most Recent) Comprehensive Mexico Travel Warning
Because we are continually asked about travel safety in Mexico and Cozumel, INSIDER always maintains a condensed version of the U.S. State Department Mexico Travel Warning HERE on our website for traveler convenience.
U.S. State Department Travel Advisory for Mexico Issued AUGUST 22, 2023 shows the Mexican State of Quintana Roo (includes Cozumel, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, and Tulum) to be a LEVEL 2 Advisory - Exercise Increased Caution (Level 4 Advisory is Highest Risk):
There are "NO RESTRICTIONS" on U.S. government employees for travel to "ANY PARTS" of Quintana Roo state, which includes tourist areas such as: Cozumel, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum. However, U.S. government employees are advised to exercise increased situational awareness and caution after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones.
U.S. citizens should as always exercise increased caution and be aware that according to Government of Mexico statistics, criminal activities and violence, including homicide, remain a concern throughout the State. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations and turf battles between criminal groups that have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Bystanders injuries, while rare, have occurred. While not directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have killed or injured innocent bystanders. Additionally, U.S. citizens have been the victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas.
The Mexico Travel Warning dated August 22, 2023 from the Department of State can also be viewed in its entirety on the Department of State website.
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