A document was emailed out with details regarding the Island Tour that you will need to read over! Hard copies will be provided on the day of the event. Note: The time says 10am. That's what time everyone needs to meet in front of Ixchel but someone from your team needs to meet JD in front of the Ferry Station at 9am to go all together to get your team golf cart from Joaquins

But here is a quick summary

We have made this our getaway several times and each time we discover something new. You cannot judge a place by its street front appearance. Just accept the fact that a third of the island looks like it is under construction, another third appears to be in a long state of demolition, and the final third is ready to serve you. Behind the front door, down a random staircase, in what appears to be a house, or what may generally be described as a shit hole, often belies an incredible hidden Isla gem. We know you may not have been here before and may not have much time. To thank you for joining us we wanted to give you something special for choosing to join us. We are providing you an Isla Tour that gives you a sneak peek of some of our favorite spots on the island

This is but one of our hugs to you. Isla is tiny, it is only a five mile loop around the entire island. Being tiny, the premiere way to get around is by golf cart! I don’t even know if you can rent a car on the island. Your options are a golf cart, moped, bike or flip flops. Do not be surprised if you see both residents and travelers alike skipping shoes altogether even in restaurants. This is one laid back place.

To help you out please know that Isla truly embraces the island culture. They do not like dollars. If you pay in dollars they will punish you with a terrible exchange rate that they posted years ago on a torn piece of cardboard nailed to the back wall. There are several ATM machines around the island. They match international exchange rates. Get your pesos daily. Some places take credit cards, but don’t count on it. Especially the smaller joints. I carry one at all times and try a card, but have pesos handy just in case. The exchange right now is about 20 pesos to the dollar.

This tour is not a race, but it still a competition to make it fun and to challenge each of you a bit. We did this two days in a row to time it (we actually had so much fun putting it together for you the first day we did it again the second day just to celebrate and laugh about how each of you would respond to certain places or sites!)

If you take your time and enjoy about 30 minutes in each location you will finish in about 5 hours. Saying that the tour will formally begin at 10:00. The competitive challenge will end at 4:00.

This is Isla. Dress for the day. We recommend a bathing suit and wrap whether you plan to get in any water or not. It will rain at some point, usually not long, and it doesn’t slow anybody down. Also recommend taking your favorite cup if you have one. There are a small number of places that do not allow you to carry your bottle out. And there is nothing sadder than a golf cart full of people on Isla empty handed. Womp. Womp.

Get dressed. Get your cup. Get pesos. Have fun.

Shanna and JD

ISLA TOUR RULES:

Each team must consist of three to four persons with a golf cart provided by us (because we only rented 30 carts) Driver MUST provide a license.

One person from each team must meet me in front of the ferry stop (this is where you arrived on the island) at 9:00 am. (It is a about a 10 minute walk from Ixchel or Aluxis.)

All drivers (WITH LICENSE IN HAND) will then walk with me two blocks to Joacquin’s rentals to fill out a one page form, provide your LICENSE and get your 4-person cart.

Once you get your cart you may take it back to your hotel to pick up the rest of your team. Watch out, many of the streets on the north end are one way but well-marked.

10:00 - Bring your cart and team members to location near Ixchel Hotel entry for shotgun tour start.

This tour is a points game for those who want to compete or the island tour can be done just for fun. If you have so much fun that you don’t finish you are already a winner! We test-drove the tour and it took us about 6 hours – but, we visited with the owners and talked to the local wildlife more than you probably will.

If you didn't receive the full isla tour summary, email shannacate@gmail.com and we can send you a copy