dcullom, Author at Cozumel Blog

DWTS Karina Smirnoff sets Hot Winter Weather Date…in Cozumel!

From E Online:

Karina Smirnoff‘s wedding planning is coming along just as she has hoped.

The Dancing With Stars hoofer told us back in March that she and baseball player Brad Penny would be getting hitched in January…

We’re happy to report that she wasn’t fibbing to try and throw us off. The couple will become husband and wife on January 21, 2012. Smirnoff’s rep also tells E! News exclusively that the nuptials will take place in Cozumel, Mexico.

“I have a lot of family and friends that live in Europe and Israel, and Brad has a big family in Oklahoma,” Smirnoff, who recently stripped down for Playboy, told People magazine this weekend at Tao nightclub in Las Vegas. “It’s going to be a very diverse, colorful crowd.”

She also revealed that she’s deciding between six wedding dress. Yes, six.

All, however, have one thing in common. “I want the train to be as long as Hollywood Boulevard because it’s like, you only get to wear it once,” she told us in March. “I want it to be memorable. Like a princess.”

For the original article, go here: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b245878_dwts_karina_smirnoff_sets_hot_winter.html

Passenger Ferries to/from Playa del Carmen and Cozumel

Currently, two ferry companies operate the route between Cozumel and Playa del Carmen on the mainland, Waterjets (blue and white) and Ultramar (yellow). The crossing takes about 30-40 minutes and departs from the Ferry Pier downtown.

Between them, they run ferries back and forth, on the hour, almostevery hour, between 5am and 11pm. The price is around 155 pesos ($13.50) each way for adults or 93 pesos (approx. $8) for children.

Buy a single ticket because you may need to use the other ferry company coming back and the tickets aren’t transferable.

Note: timetables often change from month-to-month and even day-to-day. Please confirm times at the pier or by telephone prior to departure. Prices may change too and are meant here only as a guide.

Telephone Ultramar, Playa del Carmen (984) 803-5581.

Telephone Waterjets, Cozumel 872-1508, 872-1588 or Playa del Carmen (984) 879-3112.

Check this page for updates too:

http://www.cozumel-tours.com/cozumel-ferry-schedule.htm

Airlines that fly into Cozumel

Air Canada

Flights to/from Toronto/Montreal and the rest of the world.

USA/Canada Toll Free: 1-888-247-2262
Mexico Toll Free: 01-800-719-2827
www.aircanada.com

American Airlines – American Eagle

Flights to/from Dallas/Fort Worth/Miami and the rest of the world.

USA/Canada Toll Free: 1-800-433-7300
Mexico Toll Free: 01-800-904-6000
Cozumel: 872-0899
www.aa.com

Continental Airlines

Flights to/from Houston, New York (Newark/Liberty) and the rest of the world.

USA/Canada Toll Free: 800-523-FARE (800.523.3273)
Mexico: 01-800-123-4710
www.continental.com

Delta Airlines

Flights to/from Denver.

USA/Canada Toll Free: 800-241-4141
www.delta.com

Frontier Airlines

Flights to/from Denver and beyond.

USA/Canada Toll Free: 800-4321-FLY (800-432-1359)
Denver Metro: (303) 371-7000
www.frontierairlines.com

Interjet

Flights to/from Mexico City.

USA/Canada Toll Free: 1-866-285-9525
Mexico Toll Free: 01-800-01-12345
Mexico City: 11-02-55-55
Email: [email protected]
www.interjet.com.mx

Mayair

Flights to/from Cancun and Merida. As of 7/2011, it’s less than $60 USD to fly from Cancun to Cozumel. And it’s a spectacular view! Book online too!

http://www.mayair.com.mx/

United Airlines

USA/Canada Toll Free: 1-800-538-2929
Mexico Toll Free: 01-800-003-0777
www.united.com

WestJet

Flights to/from Toronto.

USA/Canada Toll Free: 1-888-WESTJET (937-8538)
Mexico: 01 800 514 7288
www.westjet.com

Once you arrive at the airport, you will find a taxi desk in the arrivals area. They will call you a comfortable, mini-van taxi that you can share with other groups (colectivo) or take privately.

If you want to save money, walk about 500m (550 yds) across the parking lot to the road outside the airport and wait to hail a normal white with red-stripe taxi, although they can sometimes be slow coming.

Or, to avoid hassle at the airport and for the ultimate peace of mind you may book online the airport transfer van here. If you’re staying at Casa Cascada, then you’ll purchase the Downtown fare.

Of course, you may also rent a car. All major call rental companies are on the island and you may pre-book online.

Where to snorkel in Cozumel!

One of the places my husband and I always snorkel is the Barracuda Hotel. If you’re staying at Casa Cascada, you can walk to the Barracuda for some awesome snorkeling right off the beach. I’ve seen stingrays, all types of reef fish, a lionfish (and a stonefish) and of course, a few Barracuda. Enjoy their awesome pool with float up bar (and a great restaurant) while you’re there too! http://www.hotelbarracuda.com

Also, try the roped off area to the right of the Money Bar. You can see rays, barracudas, octopus, turtles, crabs and lobsters. Snorkel all the way to the other end of the ropes and don’t forget to circle around the rocks and coral formations as that’s where most of the critters are hanging out.

Punta Sur Park has a great long reef to explore. Costs money to get in, but well worth it!

Cozumel Radio Station in English Now on-line

Recently, an internet radio station, geared toward “Cozaholics” everywhere, went on-line, so that anyone can stay on “island time,” and keep the Cozumel shine all the time. Tune into http://www.cozumelradioonline.com/ where you can listen to island music, keep up island events, and you might even hear a familiar voice or two.

Cozumel Canine Park in the Works

Plans are in the works for “Cozumel Canine Park”. The intended project is to adapt a space large enough for pets to have their own recreation space. A proposal is being overseen by the Chairman of the Veterinary Association, Julio Gutierrez MVZ, from Centro Médico Veterinario Cozumel, and the Cozumel Humane Society. Since they’ll be soliciting government funds to help sponsor the park, they’re asking all interested parties to “like” their facebook group, so they can prove interest in the project. Please take a moment to show your support!

New Tulum Archeology Discovery

Aktun-hu, the ancient cenote located just outside Tulum, has already gained notoriety for hosting a skull that pre-dates the Mayan culture, however further archeological investigation is now revealing even more treasures from this site.

In a press conference on Monday representatives from Proyecto Espeleológico Tulum (PET), announced the discovery of bones that could possibly belong to a Gonfoterio, which is an elefant-like species similar to a Mammoth.

These remains are believed to be over 10,000 years old. Also found near the mastodonian remains were bones believed to be part of a human arm, and might even be connected to the original skull discovery. This discovery gives scientists interesting insight into the hypothesis that human life co-existed with these pre-historic creatures.

Don’t forget…Cozumel is a great jumping off point for a day visit to Tulum! Stay in Casa Cascada as you check out the mainland.

Cozumel Red Cross (Cruz Roja) Looking for Volunteers for Ironman 2010

As it did last year, the Cozumel Red Cross (Cruz Roja) will be
running the emergency medical service and staffing the medical tent at Ironman.
And, this year, it hopes to offer a station to reunite competitors with their
friends and family during and after the event.

This means that we need
English-speaking (including bilingual) medical and lay volunteers to assist
over the course of this very long day. Nurses, doctors, EMT’s
& paramedics will take charge of an “advance triage” area near
the finish line to determine which competitors require medical services vs
post-race observation, massage and/or nutritional recovery.

Some of these
trained volunteers will be stationed in the recovery tent to observe and others
will be needed in the medical tent to run IV’s, warm patients, etc. Non-medical
people are needed to run the “reunion” area, which must coordinate
with Ironman staff, the registrar at the med tent and the ambulance service to
track the competitors.

There are also some thankless tasks that must be
done that day, such as keeping the med tent clean and shopping for any
unexpected but necessary supplies. These services open at the
start of the race and close around 4 or 5am Monday morning. Most volunteers
will be utilized between 12pm and 1am. Shift length will be determined by
volunteer response.

Please contact [email protected] or [email protected] if you would like to
participate.

Cozumel – One of the 20 Best Islands to Live On!

Islands Magazine has released their annual “Top 20 Islands to live on2010” and Cozumel has made the list! The list is featured in their July/August 2010 issue now available on newsstands.

The Island of Swallows came in at number 16, beating out other great locations such as Bali and Malta. The editors of Island’s Magazine base their list on criteria such as real estate values, ease of immigration, expat communities, and quality of island life.

Be sure to check out Islands.com for their best islands web app, where you can find real estate links, immigration tips, expat stories, and maps. There is also an archive for the lists from years 2007 – 2009.

For those who have not yet picked up the current issue, here is the list of the islands that made the coveted list for 2010:

Big Island, Hawaii
Kauai, Hawaii
New Zealand
Vancouver Island, Canada
U.S. Virgin Islands
Great Exuma, Bahamas
Barbados
Ko Samui, Thailand
Moorea, French Polynesia
Fiji
Cyclades, Greece
Bermuda
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Tokyo, Japan
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Cozumel, Mexico
Sugar Loaf Key, Florida
Vanuatu
Malta
Bali, Indonesia

Check it out for yourself! Stay in Casa Cascada as you discover the beautiful island of Cozumel.

Ironman Cozumel November 28, 2010

Ironman is back in Cozumel this November 28, 2010. Pre-race activities will start that Thursday and the awards ceremony is Monday the 29th.

The final race course for this year has been approved by the local authorities, which will be more spectator friendly and spectacular as well. AND Casa Cascada is 3 blocks away from one of the race hot spots (City Hall or Palacio Municipal) that is promoted on the Ironman website !

So what is the Ironman anyway? It’s 2.4 miles of swimming (3.8 km), 112 miles of biking (180 km) and a 26.2 miles run (42.2 km). The race is limited to 2,300 triathletes and the prize money is $50K!

Here are the details…

SWIM:2.4miles (3.8 km), (1 lap) :

It will be an ocean swim, 1 lap, 1 massive in water start.

During the first part of the course participants will be swimming against the current and at the end participants will swim with the current.

The water visibility is 100% and big buoys will be placed every 200mfor your reference with smaller ones along the course. Water temperature will be around 84 F, wetsuits will not be permitted.

Cozumel Ironman provides a brightly colored swim cap for each athlete. This cap is provided for safety and must be worn throughout the swim.

Cut off time: 2:20 hours after the start.

BIKE: 112 miles(180 km), (3 laps) :

The bike course starts at the CHANKANAAB parking lot (T1), and finishes atT2 next to Cozumel’s City Hall in the heart of downtown. Participants will complete 3 laps along the Highway around the Island in a counter clockwise direction. Every lap will go by the City Hall,between T2 and the finish line. The City Hall is 3 blocks from the house and you can see the huge Mexican flag that flies outside daily.

Here’s the complete bike course: Upon leaving T1 at Chankanaab park, turn right on the Cozumel highway for about 12 miles towards the south side of the Island (Punta Sur). At this point you will continue towards the north for about 9 miles right next to the ocean, with strong cross winds, until the junction with Juarez Ave. (a place called Mezcalitos), where you will turn left and go straight until 30thAve. where you´ll turn left and go straight to 11thstreet,turn right until City Hall to complete lap 1.Two more and you will have finished this beautiful bike ride. The entire course is flat and the pavement is in perfect conditions.

* Bike’s cut off time: 10:30 hours after the start.

RUN: 26.2 miles (42.195km), (3 laps):

After finishing the bike portion of the race, participants will hand in their bike to the T2volunteers who will rack the bike. Participants will then proceed to the changing tents.

The run will start towards the North along the main street(Rafael Melgar Ave.) until reaching the turnaround point near the Cozumel Golf Course. It will be an out and back course to which you will run 3 laps and finish right in front the City Hall inside the main plaza.

Car access will be totally restricted in this course.

Cut off time: 17 hours from the start of the event.

There will be race officials at every turnaround and along the course,as well as timing mats and video cameras.

If you need additional information such as registration information, a detailed schedule and more…This is the official website of Ironman: www.ironmancozumel.com

**This post is getting quite a few hits so please feel free to submit any information below to help out fellow Triathletes. I will post comments within 24 hours.