Cozumel News September 9th, 2014

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Cozumel News September 9th, 2014: Cozumel’s  Punta Celarain Lighthouse, Still No Rescue in Sight for Downtown Cozumel Beaches, Cozumel might host the Triathlon World Championship 2016, Official Star of Cozumel’s Benito Juarez Project, Cozumel to enhance public safety, and Aurita’s Corner.

Cozumel’s  Punta Celarain Lighthouse

The Punta Celarain Lighthouse is located on the grounds of ecological park of Punta Sur. It sits on an embankment that is around 2 miles long that runs parallel to the southern coast. Built in 1934, it is the first lighthouse installed in Cozumel, to guard vessels passing through the coast of the island. The lighthouse is in good condition and at the foot of the tower has a building that houses the museum of navigation currently managed by Parks Foundation and Museums Cozumel (FPMC).

The Celarain lighthouse was built 35 feet high; to reach the top one must climb 133 steps to admire the panoramic view from the top, to appreciate the spacious grounds of the protected reserve of Parque Punta Sur. The Park is home to hundreds of crocodiles reptiles mostly because its proximity to mangroves. In sand a belt in this part of the island hosts the arrival of turtles to spawn during the summer, and from the top of the lighthouse, you have a great view of that part of the sea and mangroves that form the L Colombia Laguna.

The museum at the foot of the lighthouse is small with five showrooms with information about the Maya that left their mark near the lighthouse, because in that property there is a ruin called “Tumba del Caracol.”  On exhibit is also data on navigators, buccaneers, and marine signs of the 30’s reflecting what the life of lighthouse keepers was like at that time.

The orientation and design of the construction of the roof and windows, provided comfort for the lighthouse keeper, and on the inside, a stable climate remained. Today, that version is called Green House, which is included by the opening of a gallery devoted to biodiversity, and a chronological sequence of navigation in the area, made by the staff FPMC.

The so-called “Tumba del Caracol”, is an archaeological relic dedicated to Ixchel, deity of the Maya culture. This structure was built by the Maya in the post-classical period, and in its time had a dome which was covered with sea shells, that produced a buzz when strong winds blew. The sea shell dome served as a kind of alarm, warning of the wind intensity.

According to information and data that the public can find out the history of the lighthouse keeper’s home, it was built during the Porfiriato period, and has withstood the onslaught of fierce hurricanes like “Gilberto” in 1988 and “Wilma” in 2005.

Punta Sur, also called Punta Celarain, is located at the southern end of the island of Cozumel, diametrically opposite of the lighthouse at Punta Molas.  Undoubtedly, the Celarain is the most visited because of the easy access and it is the best-preserved, the other lighthouse simply looks abandoned.

Some ten paces from the entrance to the crocodile is the “Tumba del Caracol.”  Its structure is a square pyramid, placed in Late Post Classical Era (1200-1550 AD), and developed by the Itza, skilled Mayan Navigators, originating from Petén, Guatemala.

The “Caracol” served as a chapel, a point of orientation to maritime traffic, and a link to the rest of the island. There are locals that believe that it previously served as a sort of Mayan lighthouse. The Shells, each placed according to the four cardinal points, produce a characteristic sound depending on the direction and strength of winds, giving notice of rains, a storm or a hurricane.Prior to Hurricane Wilma in 2005, shells had fallen from the damaged structure. Attempts were made to reattach the shells after the natural phenomenon, but it would not work the same way.

Punta Sur has an area for observing the crocodiles, and the Colombia Laguna, and offers Catamaran rides also ideal for Bird watching and mangroves, with two miles of beaches that are a sanctuary for sea turtles that come to nest every year. It is home to about 500 crocodiles that live in lagoons and mangroves that make up more than 90 percent of the territory. Three of the 23 species of crocodiles that there are worldwide live here, representing 13% of the total population of this genre. These reptiles, belong to the species Acutus and Moreletii, are the main attractions of this ecological reserve located in the southern part of the island, as is the nesting site for migratory birds

Still No Rescue in Sight for Downtown Cozumel Beaches

An article I read on September 6^th regarding the recovery of beaches in Cancun and Playa del Carmen that would also include some Cozumel beaches.  Mayor Fredy Martin Marrufo, estimates that the project will take place within a period not exceeding two years. While we can expect the project to go forward, they have not defined what sections of beach are to be rescued on the island.

After the announcement by the federal government to invest 6 billion pesos for the recovery of beaches in the states of Yucatán, Jalisco, Baja California Sur, Guerrero, Sinaloa, Veracruz, Colima, and Quintana Roo, the possibility exists that there will be sand mining again in Punta Norte on the island to benefit   Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Cancun. Apparently there is a ten-year permit granted by the federal authorities in the presidency of Felipe Calderon. Cozumel will benefit in 2016.

When Mayor Fredy Marrufo Martin was asked if they can perform another extraction of sand north of the island, he replied, “I cannot report on this specifically, I know they had some permits that were given at the time for the extraction of sand, I have no knowledge of the validity of these permits; if they were granted I must assume that they must comply with all the regulations of the federal law and well, the federal authorities are responsible for regulating this.”
Regarding if the beaches on the west part of the Cozumel boardwalk will benefit in the recovery in 2016, he said that it is in the infrastructure plan and his administration is working hard to have this happen, as is the State Governor.

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Cozumel might host the Triathlon World Championship 2016

There is an 80 percent chance that Cozumel will host the Triathlon World Championship in 2016. Countries like Australia and England have also submitted their interest to host the sporting event, reported the State Tourism Secretary, Laura Fernández Piña.

The official confirmed that the Ministry of Tourism of Quintana Roo has formally nominated Cozumel to host this global competition to be held in 2016.  This event will join the Ironman Metlife, the ITU World Cup and Cozumel Ironman, so that the island is positioned as a destination for sports tourism. This will bring another influx of tourism during the low season.

Although Cozumel will compete against countries like Australia and England who also want the seat in that year, “we have almost 80 percent chance that in 2016 we will have this important event on the island. We are working hand in hand with the Triathlon Federation of the country, and making arrangements with the Tourism Board of Mexico so we can carry out this important event, in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Tourism. ”

The island’s tourism industry benefits from the sporting events, especially to increase hotel occupancy.  Before the first Ironman event, hotel occupancy was between 16 and 20 percent. Hotel Occupancy has increased annually because not only are competitors on the island, but also their coaches and family. The occupancy rate increase to 80% has been vital to the economy of the City.

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Official Star of Cozumel’s Benito Juarez Project

As scheduled, on September the 4^th, the first stone was placed of what will be the redevelopment of the park “Benito Juarez”, a project whose details were just released to the public last weekend. At five O’clock last Thursday, Governor Roberto Borge Angulo led the ceremony of laying the first stone of the work funded by 95 million pesos obtained from federal resources.

The project will consist of lowering the level of the park, creating new planters that will be invested in an area of at least 3,670 square meters according to data provided by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (SINTRA).

In the draft the traditional park kiosk will be torn down as will the fountain called Sunset Marino, although they are retaining the public clock.  There will be a fountain laminated in colors and also the bust of Benito Juarez.  This park will be appointed as the “Point Zero of the Island, i.e. City mileage will be calculated from this point.

During his speech, Governor Roberto Borge Angulo mention that  as the traditional center of the island of Cozumel, the park had to be redesigned not just with  Plaza del Sol,  but  with a complete remodeling across the entire infrastructure,  because of its  importance to Cozumel. He added that “today we have the opportunity to start a project that I’m sure will benefit Cozumel, we still have voices that always will oppose because they are against a project that will be beneficial to Cozumel.” He indicated that the Esplanade Flag will undergo remodeling, which was not covered by the project, as well as the bathrooms in Plaza del Sol will be remodeled.

The governor laid the foundation stone of the work, accompanied by  Mayor Fredy Marrufo Martin and Jose Luis Toledo, President of the Great Commission of the State Congress.  Fernando Carrillo Escamilla, Secretary of SINTRA, said during his speech that the work will be in four phases, the first in the Benito Juarez Park, the second in the surrounding streets, the third consist of electromechanical installations and the fourth will be the installation of additional works such as the Internet, among others.

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Cozumel to enhance public safety

State Governor Roberto Borge Angulo delivered trucks, motorcycles, uniforms, and military band equipment to elements of Cozumel Police force. On Thursday afternoon at the main entrance of City Hall  the local police were given  a total of three trucks,  Pick Up Double Cab model Granadera 2014, with seating for five passengers, fully equipped with turrets, radios, and seats in the back, valued at 1,722,000 pesos, purchased with funds from the Grant Security Municipalities. Likewise,  the Municipal Transit Police were given  six  motorcycles Suzuki brand, model 250cc  in the amount of 698,000 pesos, to add  to their current fleet.
The State Governor said that uniforms were also awarded to the Tourist Police, nearly 400 to the Public Security Police, to the tactical members of the Special Operations Group (GOE), and to the group of “Poliabuelitos” who provide security at the doors of the public schools in the city. During the same event drums and bugles were given to members of the marching band, as well as a new national flag; the total cost of equipment officially delivered Thursday to the City was valued at just over 6 million pesos.

Aurita’s Corner:

There is no Aurita’s Corner this issue, only to apologize for being late with the Cozumel Sun.  I have received a few Emails from readers that have a difference of opinion on some of the articles, I think this will make a great topic for the next “Aurita’s Corner.” I will try and have the next issue to you by the end of the week. Enjoy Paradize Cozumel, and to  the rest of my readers that are not fortunate enough to be here with us full time, Come on down!

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