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Property Owners > Archived Newsletters > DECEMBER 4, 2007 -

Costa Maya Newsletters: of primary interest to property owners on the Costa Maya, - Mahahual / Mahajual - Rio Indio - Placer - Uvero - Punta Herrera - Xcalak and other points along the coast

***********************Newsletter: Dec. 4, 2007**************************

CONTENTS:

  • Message Board discussion: Hurricane insurance
  • New organization for businesses in Mahahual
  • Marriot Hotel at the Cancun Airport
  • Cruise ship news
  • Belizean Free Zone
  • Malecon
  • Flooding in Tabasco
  • Che-Chen trees
  • Restoration Permits - door not closed yet
  • Mayan Beach Garden news
  • End of Hurricane Season
  • Rio Indio - Placer beach road
  • More Sad good-byes
  • Notes From Xcalak Polly

Hi Neighbors

During the recent Thanksgiving, I had pause to do some serious thinking about the things I am thankful for. Without getting too sentimental (and believe me that is easy to do post-Dean) I want to thank all of you who took the time to reach out and help these past few months. I count all of you not only as neighbors, but as friends. I'm grateful when you stop by and say hi and I can put a face to a name. I'm grateful for the wonderful notes of kindness I received. I'm grateful I have clients that want to come back to our hotel and that few if any have abandoned the Costa Maya. I'm grateful for this beautiful stretch of beach we call our home and to all of those who have planted more palm trees after the storm or who have helped shovel some sand. I won't go on, but please know that all of you were part of my thanksgiving this year and will continue to be in years to come.

I would also like to thank those who continue to support the area. Please continue to vacation here. I've heard from more than one person that they weren't visiting Mahahual because they didn't want to bother people here. On the contrary!!!!! The Costa Maya needs and wants your business. Most of the hotels (with the exception of Paradise Lodge and El Placer del Mar) will be open by Christmas time and some of those South of town and Xcalak never closed. In most instances, the beaches are wider and more open, encouraging long beach walks. Here in Placer, you can still explore some impressive ruins, but most have been demolished and beaches are slowly being restored. Diving is still great and snorkeling and fishing are good. Its a different feeling without the cruise ship businesses dominating the landscape. The people here today are the real residences and businesses of Mahahual. Please take the time and vacation here, but also spread the word about the Costa Maya.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSION: HURRICANE INSURANCE

December is the time to start buying insurance for the upcoming year. Usually they won't sign up a policy during an active season. That means that the window to buy insurance is only December to May. Talking with people who had insurance, their experience with Dean has been less than positive. A few people have been happy, but most are disappointed, coming up $50,000 short in some instances and only getting 10 cents on the dollar in another, to still negotiating with the insurance company 3 months later. I talked to one person who insured through their bank, and another with Lloyds of London and were very happy - so it can be done (for a price)! Please visit the message board and voice your experience and questions about hurricane insurance.
http://costamayalive.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=851&sid=816abcf5e7d0552376632f1070d94267Mexico

MEETING FOR BUSINESSES IN MAHAHUAL

Since Miguel Sosa stepped down as head of the Chamber of Commerce, there hasn't been a lot of activity to organize the businesses of Mahahaul. That changed last week with the organization of a new business charter. Their goal is to promote Mahahual, create special events and festivals to draw people to Mahahual and to aid businesses, specifically those related to the tourist industry. Meetings are scheduled on Saturdays. As we get more specifics, we will post them.

MARRIOT HOTEL AT THE AIRPORT

How many times have you arrived late in Cancun airport or had an early morning flight and just wished you could stay closer to the airport. A new Courtyard by Marriot just opened at the airport. They have on site car rental and is very convenient. Right now, the shuttle to the hotel is $12 and the posted rate is $115. We looked for it on-line and couldn't find it listed on the Marriot site, but when Kim stayed there to try it out, they said it would be listed soon.

CRUISE SHIP NEWS

Cruise ship head tax: Mexico has approved a head tax on cruise passengers. Several ports, including Puerto Costa Maya, opposed the tax. The fee is 56 pesos, or about US$5, according to a statement issued by Carolina Cárdenas, vice minister of tourism planning for SECTUR in Mexico. Cárdenas said 95 percent of the income generated by the head tax will go to municipalities for infrastructure works, conservation and maintenance programs, and cleaning and monitoring of the coastal zones. Five percent will be assigned to the National Institute of Migration. The resources will be distributed proportionally to the municipalities, taking into account the number of passengers their ports receive.

The tax has been opposed by some Mexican ports, including Puerto Costa Maya. “We do not support the measure in question,” Costa Maya President Teofilo Hamui said in mid-October.

Progress of the Cruise ship dock: The work on the cruise ship seems to be progressing at a steady pace. They have been working for about a month now and you can see giant cranes from the lighthouse. At this point, there have been no changes in the projected finish date of Sept. 2008.


Mahahual with the picture of the pier construction in the distance

BELIZEAN FREE ZONE

Saturday, Nov. 16, 2007, the doors of the Corozal Free Zone were opened to the Belizean public for the first time. Most of you are aware of the free zone where you can purchase goods tax free and gamble at a couple of casinos. The goods are on Belizean soil, but it is for Mexicans to use. Until now, a Belizean could not shop there. Joel Cervantes, Chief Executive Officer at the Corozal Free zone said that there were approximately 5,000 people visiting t the Free Zone and this included private vehicles and a number of buses. After speaking to several owners and investors, they had a high boost in sales . . So it was a successful day for the Corozal people and investors and the Belizean families.

Cervantes says that they are expecting many more people to flock to the Free zone on December 15th when they have the next open day. There will probably be more days scheduled, but no word on whether Belizeans will ever come and go at will.

MALECON

Construction of the Malecon is proceeding, but at a slow pace. The plan was to dig a deep footing and put pipes and other infrastructure within, but high water tables have flooded the trench, making deep canals on the beach front street. Most of the restaurants and beach businesses have closed down and no through traffic is allowed on the beach. To make up for it, a lot of decent inexpensive Mexican restaurants have sprung up on the second street back, some with beach view.


Malecon "canal" in front of Tapas bar


Cleaned up beach after Dean

FLOODING IN TABASCO

It is worthwhile for a minute to mention the high water table. Perhaps many of you have heard about the flooding in Tabasco. The floods in Tabasco have displaced 900 thousand people from their homes, closed the major highways to Yucatan peninsula and flooded major farming areas causing shortages of things like rice and some vegetables. Because the Yucatan peninsula's water is all underground, the water table in Tabasco directly affects the water table in Mahahual. We have had a normal wet year this year, but the water on the sides of the road are very high. We went to look at some property lately outside of Bacalar and found the water table so high we could not get to the property, something that is very unusual in that area. Trying to dig foundations means that one hits water right away.

CHECHEN TREES

I never thought I would say this, but I'm happy that some of the Chechen trees are greening up. The reason is that any green is delightful in areas that were completely devastated. There are still plenty of dead ones closer to the beach, however!


Chechen tree and leaves

If you would like to know more about Chechen trees, please check this link for pictures and more information. http://www.mayanbeachgarden.com/Trees.htm

RESTORATION PERMITS - DOOR NOT CLOSED YET

As of today, you may still apply for restoration permits - the 90 days we were quoted appears to be working days, not calendar days. I encourage any of you who would like to restore your beaches or remove the dead plants to get a permit. When a consecutive strip of property owners in the San Jose area who restored their beach, an area that was particularly hit hard with lots of beach erosion, the before and after difference is extremely positive. I really believe that if you do restore your property, you will not suffer any loss in property value. But please get a permit. PROFEPA and SEMARNAT have been here more than once looking at the area and some people have unfortunately been written up. By the way, more before and after shots have been added to the Costa Maya Website. I am now looking for restoration shots. Please let me know if you would like your before and after shots posted, or send me shots of your place after you restored your property. WE need to get the word out that the Costa Maya is coming back strong!
http://www.costamayalive.com/DEAN-BeforeAfter.htm


San Jose lot after Dean


San Jose lot after beach restoration

Answers to help you obtain permits (Please study the following before contacting us)

The permit is free for unimproved land, but a biologist must file the report for you.

The group rate for the report or tramit people in this area is $300 - Non group rate is $600.

If you have multiple lots, there must be a permit filed for each lot (contact us about this since there may be some economies for multiple lots over two)

If you have a house on your property, please contact us - homes have additional permits

If you are in the process of selling your property, this permit is transferable.

If you already have an EIS to build, you will still need a restoration/reforestation permit to restore your beach.

In order to get the permits, the following are needed (your accountant or lawyer has these):
1. Copy of corporation papers
2. Copy of title
3. Copy of Catastral paper (also called Cedula)
4. Copy Last Land tax receipt
5. Copy of Environmental impact permit (SEMARNAT) if you have one .
6. Copy of ID of legal representative or person with the power to sign for you in Mexico. This may be your lawyer, accountant or even yourself if you have an FM3.

OR: If you do not have such a person, you will need to assign someone a simple power of attorney. If you do not have such a person, we can send you a form in which you can assign Kim Bales to be the power for this limited purpose. If you do not have an FM3, It must then be notarized with an Apostille in the US. Find out more information about an Apostille -http://travel.state.gov/law/info/judicial/judicial_2545.html - Please do not e-mail us asking what an Apostille is. As a foreign property owner, you should know this information

7. Before and after photos – as many as possible. If you are in the US, and do not have after Dean photos we can help you get them.
8. If you want us to help you get the permits, e-mail me for an address to send documents and funds.

Remember, there is a short time period on the permits.


Beach erosion after Dean

Beach restored, extra sand moved to beach.

MAYAN BEACH GARDEN NEWS

Many of you have sent kind emails and wondered what our plans are to reopen. We are happy to say that we are reopening on Dec. 21st. We decided not to attempt to rebuild the three cabanas that were destroyed, but to clean and repair we have. I'm biting my nails as Dec. 21st draws closer, but it is looking pretty good. Our doors were delivered last week, now to get a carpenter back here to install them! We've changed things a little. With only three cabanas, we can't justify the staff we used to have. We've decided to open the Mayan Beach Garden restaurant 5 days a week and offer a snack bar on two days a week. On the days the restaurant is open we will be now be open to the public. We hope you stop by! More news in the next newsletter. Meanwhile -- please continue to support the area. I have several homes for rent. All suffered damage in the 10's of thousands of dollars. The best support all of us can get is to get your business. Please check out the following homes that are for rent:
La Brisa:
Casa Porto Vino: -- Available New Years!

Casita Dragonfly

RIO-INDIO / PLACER BEACH ROAD

The only good result of the sand being taken from the roads is that the Rio Indio to Placer Beach road is now open. They brought in fill to repair some of the places that had eroded so some parts are rocky. It does not require a 4 wheel drive to make it through. After a lot of rain, high clearance is a good idea, however.

MORE SAD GOOD-BYES

Last month we mourned the passing and demolition of El Placer hotel. In this past month, even more homes have been cleared and the beach restored to white sand and palms. Lazy Waves and Captain's Quarters both "bit the dust." Some of you may have visited the beach home that Bruce and Louise loved and lived here 3 months out of the year. They watched as the house was demolished and planted more trees after. The other home was Captain's Quarters, which has been here on the Costa Maya for over 25 years, and one of the first concrete structures in the area.


Lazy Waves after Dean

El Placer after Dean

END OF HURRICANE SEASON

The hurricane season went out quietly this year after breaking a couple of records with back to back category 5's. From the National hurricane center - "-- With a central pressure of 906 millibars, Hurricane Dean had the third lowest pressure at landfall - behind the Labor Day 1935 Hurricane in the Florida Keys and Hurricane Gilbert of 1988 in Cancun, Mexico. Dean is also the first Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in the Atlantic Basin since Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida in 1992."

Hurricane Felix in September also became a Category 5 storm on the five-step scale of hurricane intensity, killing 102 and leaving another 133 missing in Nicaragua, according to the Pan-American Health Organization.

Dean and Felix were the first two Atlantic hurricanes since records began in 1851 to make landfall in the same season as Category 5 storms.

While the US missed severe storms, Central America and the Caribbean were hit hard. Even when no actual storm was swirling somewhere, unusually heavy rainfall characterized the wet season, washing away roads in Jamaica, flooding sugar fields in Cuba and in the state of Tabasco, a river burst its banks at the end of October in Mexico, leaving four-fifths of the state under water.

NOTES FROM POLLY IN XCALAK

". . .Well personally my cistern is full and I am really tired of seeing grey sky's, black clouds and rain, rain and more rain. Might as well be in England!
The up side is the wild life that we are seeing. On the Xcalak-Mahahual road a family of Great Curassow's have been spotted many times in the last few weeks. [MB NOTE: There is a picture of a greater Curassow on the on-line version of this email)
The gardens on the beach road north of town have a Tucan visiting, and hundreds of Monarch butterfly's that really should be elsewhere. I had to stop for a spider monkey to dance across the 307 arms aloft. It took a shake of my head and couple of seconds to comprehend just what it was crossing the road.
The fly fishermen that have had the good fortune to be here this month have been going home with grins from ear to ear. Victor Castro tells me that there have been Grand Slams and Super Grand Slams. Two fishermen in the same boat, same day, Grand Slam and Super Grand Slam. The other guides reporting more or less the same.
The Xcalak Caribe Restaurant is open Wednesday - Sunday 12 noon - 0800pm. Christmas opening. Dec19th - Jan 06th every day 12 noon -08.00pm.
The Leaky Palapa is now open from 5.30pm Friday/Saturday and now Sundays. Christmas opening. Dec20/21/22/23/24. .........Dec 28/29/30/31 ...........Jan03/04/05/06
Xcalak Realty has opened an office in town, good luck David Huix."

...Polly from Xcalak

DISCLAIMER

The editor of this newsletter (me) makes no claims that the information here is completely true. I am not a news reporter, Spanish is not my native language, the newspapers are notorious for not verifying information and this is not my primary business, but rather a service to the neighborhood. If you find something untrue PLEASE let me know and I will print a disclaimer. I try to verify the information but even the newspaper prints up rumors, so I can only report what I read and hear.

Unless otherwise stated, all content is copyrighted by MMB Contractors Inc.

THANKS!!!!!
Until Next month...

Regards from your Costa Maya Neighbor
Marcia
Mayan Beach Garden, Boutique hotel on the Costa Maya
www.mayanbeachgarden.com

 

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Updated: 03-Feb-2010

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