When coming to our paradise island please look at a map of Texas. Focus on the southern most tip of Texas. Do you see Port Isabel? This is where you will find the Queen Isabella Causeway. It is 2.4 miles long and it brings you right to the island. Also go to the page titled Padre Vs South Padre on this site. We don't want any chili head ending up on Padre Island. That puts you 200 miles away from the cook off site. For all you chili heads that travel to cook offs in an RV there is the Isla Blanca Cameron County RV park on the south tip of the island. The Schlitterbahn Beach Water Park is 1/4th of a mile north of the RV park on the east side across from the Sea Ranch Restaurant. To make RV reservations call 956-761-5494.

For those who will fly to our cook off we have three international airports. The closest airport is Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport. Only Continental Airlines flies into this airport. It is about a 30 minute drive from the airport to the island on highway 48 north. Highway 48 brings you to Port Isabel at the intersection of highway 100. Make a right turn onto 100 and go to the island. There is shuttle provided for $2.00 that will take you from the airport to Port Isabel. In Port Isabel you will be able to catch the wave which is free to the island. The wave operates from 7am to 7 pm daily. It check out the airport shuttle information go to www.flybrownsville.com.

The next closest airport is Harlingen International Airport. Continental and Southwest Airlines fly into this location. Harlingen is a 50 minute drive to the island. When leaving the airport take Ed Carey drive to highway 77 south. Come south about 15 miles to highway 100. Head east and it is 27 miles to the island.

McAllen, TX. is the next airport. There are three major airlines that fly into this airport. American Airlines, Continental Airline and Delta Airlines are the three services. Call 956-682-9101 to find out which airline would best fit your travel plans. Mc Allen is 1 hour and 15 minutes from the island. Take highway 83 east until you come to Harlingen, TX. Take 77 south out of Harlingen to highway 100 and go east to the island. It is 27 more miles.

A word of caution: If your driving from home or from the airport to or from the island DO NOT go 1 MPH over the speed limit. This is especially true when passing through the towns. They are very strict. There is no tolerance. Go the speed limit or PAY!

Remember you do not have to travel this far just to cook chili. Plan a week or two. Start your vacation with a chili cook off or end your week or two vacation with a chili cook off. Come to enjoy South Padre Island which is Texas' best kept secret. Enjoy the beach and water recreation. There are chartered deep sea fishing tours and bay fishing tours. The fishing is great. Enjoy the great nightlife and wonderful restaurants. Shop Mexico. It is a 25 minute drive to Matamoros, Mexico from the island. It is a vacation you will never forget. Come and enjoy our island. We are revealing our secret little paradise to chili heads only.

All you first time cooks need to go to the rules and regulations page on this site to know exactly what an ICS contest chili is and how and what to cook. There is also past world champions' recipes on the ICS website which can be linked to from this site. Know what you need to do. If there are questions please e-mail the cook off chairman. denny@chilicookoffspi.com or go to contact us page on this website.