After many delays, much speculation, and considerable expectation, the process to build the new Riviera Maya airport has finally started.
The Mexican government officially invited bids to construct and operate the new airport, on the coast near Cozumel, earlier this week.
The tender process got off to a false start in March, when Mexican President, Felipe Calderón proudly announced it would begin in April, only for it to be postponed again within days.
But now the competition has been officially and legally initiated and there can be no more "ifs and buts".
The new international terminal will be the first in Mexico entirely financed by private money under a government concession, that will initially run for 50 years.
It will be built on a greenfield site of some 3,700 acres (1,500 hectares) near Tulum and Akumal on the Riviera Maya, 40 miles (65 km) from downtown Cozumel "as the crow flies".
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Riviera Maya Airport Really A Go
Women of Isla Mujeres present productive projects
Show romanization The management of Social and Economic Development of the City of Isla Mujeres, received 103 productive projects Islander women were sent to the Secretariat of Agrarian Reform (SRA), for review and approval.Staff of that municipal agency reported that the projects require nearly 3.3 billion pesos Women Program in the Agricultural Sector (PROMUSAG), which manages two years since the commune with the SRA, for the development of such plans.
It should be noted that most of the projects submitted by Islander women have to do with the establishment of restaurants, bakeries and diners.
One project that requires the support of the federation, is presenting a group of eleven insular area women for the preparation of organic fertilizer.
The intention of the project is to sell manure to the hotels in Cancun, since it is a high quality product that would benefit the maintenance of the gardens and golf courses hosting centers, the project is an important step forward and now being made some tests.
Top 10 Holiday Places To Enjoy in Mexico
We all know what the hustle and bustle of everyday life is like. From the kids, to work, down to cleaning the house and making sure that everyone doesn’t die from starvation! Everyday life is stressful. So now comes that time where you have stopped penny pinching and realized that you want to vacationin Mexico. So where do you go?
Cancun is the place to be! Their hotel rooms are all inclusive and there are over one hundred hotels for you to choose from. Cancun also has an exciting and dominating nightlife where you and your honey can dance the night away to jazz, salsa, pop and much more. From lounge clubs, night clubs, bars and live music venues you will never be considered as a “home body” again. For the little ones try the beautiful blue watered beaches and swimming with the dolphins, theme parks are a great way to tire them out as well. There are well over three hundred and fifty restaurants ranging from Mexican, Oriental and Italian food.
Cozumel is another wonderful and invigorating Island to be on. With its relaxing atmosphere it will keep your stress levels low and your energy high. Activities such as scuba diving and charter fishing are the talk of the tourists. Cozumel offers two ways to get on the Island, airplane and boat so you decide whether you just want to pass through or stay for days.
Dolphin learns to use an iPad to communicate with mankind
Last week, a young bottle-nose dolphin named Merlin became the first of his species to join the growing number of enthusiasts using the Apple iPad when he was able to successfully recognize and touch pictures on the screen to match objects he was shown.Why can't everything be that simple for dolphins and humans to teach and learn?The world is in trouble in every direction you look. The news headlines are disturbing and filled with stories that range from the deaths of humanitarian workers, drug lords, crimes against humanity, ecological disasters, fires, volcanic eruptions, starvation, disease, wars, rockets going up, bombs raining down, suicide attacks, kids killing kids, natural disasters, hate crimes and weapons of mass destruction.
While humans are hellbent on destroying each other one Florida couple have been busy in Mexico teaching dolphins how to use an iPad, in an effort to facilitate communication between people and an enthusiastic and willing dolphin and his friends.
View Video on Article link.
Port of Call Spotlight: Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel, the island that the Mayans considered their Eden from where they believed they came to populate the continent, like bees from a hive, is located near Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. It's tiny, approximately 10 miles wide and 30 miles long-but like the Eden it was for the ancient Mayans, it is a paradise for today's travelers and cruise passengers.
According to Mayan legend, the goddess of love and fertility, Ixchel, resided in Cozumel and the island was a pilgrimage site. When residents built temples in her honor, the goddess sent them, the legend goes, her favorite bird, the swallow, and the Mayans named the island Cozumel, which in their language meant "the land of the swallows."
There are a number of archeological ruins on Cozumel including an archeological park in the north of the island, the sanctuary of Ixchel in San Gervasio, and El Cedral in the south--the latter the oldest Mayan structure on the island dating from the year 800. Other points of interest include the town of San Miguel, with its pretty main plaza; the Benito Juarez Park, that is ideal for strolling, buying souvenirs, and enjoying music on Sundays; the Museum of the Island of Cozumel with exhibits about the island including its reefs; Discover Mexico Park, with scale models of Mexico's pyramids, monuments and modern structures; and the lighthouse Faro Celerain that offers panoramic views of Cozumel and has an ecological reserve where visitors can see mangroves and other examples of the native flora as well as fauna.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Third Annual Whale Shark Festival on Isla Mujeres
Want to swim with the whale sharks? (You do.) Then plan your trip to the Mexican Caribbean for the Third Annual Whale Shark Festival on Isla Mujeres, July 16 to 18.
Whale shark season kicked off on May 15, but these gentle filter feeders come out in force around the time of the festival. Last year's whale shark bloom featured 200 of the creatures swimming in formation off the island's coast.
Festival attendees will have a chance to swim with the whale sharks and assist Project Domino, a conservation initiative, with photographing and cataloging the animals -- which can reach up to fifty feet in length -- for future study. There will also be educational seminars, kids activities, and conservation -wareness events during the weekend.
About 1,000 whale sharks came through Isla Mujeres in last year. Don't miss out! For more information, visit the festival's website.
Free day at 50-acre Riviera Maya resort with Italian Duchess
Italian Duchess Rosa’s D’ Ferrari is inviting you to her birthday party at Hotel Esencia in the Riviera Maya on August 24, 2010. That’s right; you don’t have to be Italian royalty to attend. Originally built for the Duchess as her private estate, the property is now a 50-acre boutique resort offering 29 spacious cottages and suites set in the backdrop of a picturesque seaside paradise.
Why would an Italian Duchess invite strangers to her birthday party? The answer seems almost too simple: A genuine enjoyment of giving. According to Duchess D’Ferrari, "I am very fortunate to have what I need to live a very happy life. Rather than receive presents for myself on my birthday, I like to give back to my guests and the community." As evidence of that, during her birthday week, 5% of all reservations are donated to a local orphanage foundation located in Playa del Carmen. When asked why she would bypass receiving gifts for herself in favor of making the donation D’Ferrari answered, "For me, the donation we are making to the orphanage makes me feel better than any gift I could get for myself."