COZUMEL TODAY News Cozumel

Ferry Discount Expiration Date

Since I rarely leave the Island via the ferry, I was unaware that my Plan Locale (ferry discount card also used to receive local discounts) has an expiration date. The expiration date is two months after your annual FM 3 or FM 2 Visa expires to allow time for renewals.

Caribbean Bowl Update

Bowlers have been inquiring about the status of Caribbean Bol. Cozumel’s only bowling alley has been closed in recent months for equipment repair and remodeling. I had the pleasure of meeting this week with owner, Stacey Werner for an update. There is an on-site repairman getting the lanes up and running. Two lanes are currently available for open bowling and all lanes should be repaired and available by the end of August or early September. Fall leagues tournaments will start the end of September. Please contact your team captains to get your teams signed up. If you are new to bowling and wish to join a team, stop in and sign up at Caribbean Bol. New at Caribbean Bol is a Karaoke bar! The upstairs has been remodeled for your singing and dancing pleasure. There is great food available. Singers can perform or dance to American and Spanish music from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. The hours are Thursdays and Sundays from 8 p.m. until midnight; Friday and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for you night owls.

Something New On The Waterfront!

Unfortunately my camera did not have enough battery life to get a better picture of this bicycle built for 11! Yes, there are five people seated on either side of this vehicle that appears to be a bar on wheels. Not pictured is the guy that steers it. He sits in the middle behind the barrel and guides them using a regular steering wheel. He must have been on a break. I also did not catch the German Shepard that was along for the ride, lying on the floor in the back of the vehicle. Right after I took the picture the young man in charge of steering returned to the vehicle, the German Shepard sat up, and the ten people sitting on either side started pedaling away. They pedaled very fast, but the vehicle moved along very slowly. In any event, they seemed to be having a good time promoting staying active.

Mexico Vehicle Permits: Cost, Fees and Deposit

In the struggle to try and get Mexican plates for both our vehicles, I was told my vehicle permit had to be renewed (current). I assumed that the law had changed once again and having a current Visa was not enough. I did some research in preparation for a trip to Chetumal to renew our vehicle permit. I discovered that nothing has changed and as long as our Visas are renewed annually, our entry vehicle permits are valid indefinitely.

The following is current information on obtaining a Mexico vehicle permit

When applying for the Temporary Importation Permit, you must present the original plus two (2) copies of all documents. Originals will be returned. While in Mexico, other persons are allowed to drive the car only if the permit holder is in the car with them. The fee for the Temporary Importation Permit is US$34 plus local tax, which is not refundable. In addition to the fee, tourists are required to leave a guarantee in any of the following forms:

·Valid proof of citizenship (passport or birth certificate).

·The appropriate immigration form (tourist card).

·The valid vehicle registration certificate, or a document, such as the original title that certifies the legal ownership of the vehicle. It must be in the driver's name.

·The leasing contract (if the vehicle is leased or rented) which must be in the name of the person importing the car. If the vehicle belongs to a company, present the document that certifies the employee works for the company.

·A valid driver's license, issued outside Mexico.

·Make sure you have Mexican Auto Insurance, from a reputable company.

·An international credit card (Visa, Master card, American Express, Diner's Club). The credit card must be in the name of whoever is listed on the vehicle registration.

Go through the "Declarations Lane" and stop at the customs office when crossing the border. Look for a "Modulo de Control Vehicular". All documents and the credit card name must be in the same name as the person driving the vehicle across the border.

Leased or financed Vehicles must provide a "Letter of Authorization" from the bank or leasing company. The bank or leasing company should be notified well in advance as they will normally require proof of comprehensive and collision coverage from your Mexican Auto Insurance policy.

Deposit Requirements: Credit Cards: If you have a credit card (VISA, Master card, AMEX, Diners Club), in the same name as the registered vehicle's name, you will be charged a non-refundable fee of $16.50 .This will be done at the Banjercito Office.

If you do not have a credit card, you are required to make a cash deposit.

Vehicles year 2000 and newer models $400

Vehicles years 1995-1990 $300

Vehicles prior to 1995 $200

Temporary Vehicle Import Permits are good for up to six months. This allows you to enter and exit Mexico for six months. After the permit is expired, a new permit is needed, as vehicles with expired permits are subject to having the vehicle confiscated by Mexican authorities.

Mexico Car Import Permit Expiration Information

Laura Joachín M., Attorney at Law provided most of the following information. I typed the English version in bold letters for easier reading. This is the section you should have a copy of in your vehicle at all times.

The following is a transcription of an article in the customs law regarding the Car Import Permit. This information applies only to financially independent aliens who import a vehicle, but should be helpful in discussions with the Federal, State or Municipal transit police.

Its scope is that the car import sticker is valid regardless of the expiration date, if any, on the car permit sticker itself, as long as the importer has a valid immigration status, or is in the process of renewing immigration status.

It might be helpful for those who own and drive a foreign licensed car within Mexico, to cut out the section of this article and keep a copy of it in their car-along with a copy of their valid visa, a copy of their passport and the original documents that came with the car import sticker.

Also, if your Visa is in the process of renewal, keep in your car a copy of the original document stamped by the alien office (INM) showing that your Visa was submitted for renewal.

There is a requirement that you notify the Customs Office (in Spanish language and in writing,) if your migratory status was changed (i.e.: from a tourist visa to an FM3, etc.) You should attach copies of the vehicle permit as well as the renewed visa as inclusions to this notification to the Customs Office.

Ley Aduanera/Customs Law

II. Para retornar al extranjero en el mismo estado.
II. To be returned abroad in the same condition.

ARTICULO 106. Se entiende por régimen de importación temporal, la entrada al país de mercancías para permanecer en él por tiempo limitado y con una finalidad específica, siempre que retornen al extranjero en el mismo estado, por los siguientes plazos:

ARTICLE 106. Temporary importation is understood as the entry of merchandise into the country, which shall remain in it for a limited period of time and for a specific purpose, so long as it is returned abroad in the same condition, for the following term:

IV. Por el plazo que dure su calidad migratoria, incluyendo sus prórrogas, en los siguientes casos:

IV. For the term his/her migratory status lasts, including its extensions, in the following cases:

a) Las de vehículos propiedad de extranjeros que se internen al país con calidad de inmigrantes rentistas o de no inmigrantes, excepto tratándose de refugiados y asilados políticos, siempre que se trate de un solo vehículo.

a) Vehicles driven into the country owned by foreigners bearing an immigrant (financially independent) or a non-immigrant status, excepting refugees and exile, as long as it is only one vehicle.

Los vehículos que importen turistas y visitantes locales, incluso que no sean de su propiedad y se trate de un solo vehículo.

The vehicles imported by tourists and local visitors, even if are not their own and as long as it is a single vehicle.

Los vehículos podrán ser conducidos en territorio nacional por el importador, su cónyuge, sus ascendientes, descendientes o hermanos, aun cuando éstos no sean extranjeros, por un extranjero que tenga alguna de las calidades migratorias a que se refiere este inciso, o por un nacional, siempre que en este último caso, viaje a bordo del mismo cualquiera de las personas autorizadas para conducir el vehículo y podrán efectuar entradas y salidas múltiples.

Such vehicles may be driven within the national territory by the importer, his/her spouse, his/her parents, children or brothers, even when the latter are not foreigners, by a foreigner bearing any of the migratory status above referred to in this section, or by a national, as long as always in this last case, one of the persons authorized to drive the vehicle travels on board and may entry or exit (the country) several times.

Los vehículos a que se refiere este inciso, deberán cumplir con los requisitos que señale el Reglamento. Para más información, visite Diputados.gob.mx.

Vehicles referred to in this section must meet the requirements pointed out in the regulations. For more information (in Spanish) visit Diputados.gob.mx

Cozumel Red Cross Services

Cruz Roja's most active job is to serve as the island’s designated first responder to accidents and other emergencies. In addition we offer the following low-cost medical services:

General Medicine

Pediatric

Dentistry

Nutrition

Injections

Nebulizer Treatments

Blood Pressure Measurement

Clinical Laboratory