If we had to pick the three most stressful things you can do in life they would undoubtedly be; moving house, moving country, and changing jobs. When you emigrate for a new job you’re doing the brave (and perhaps scary) thing of combining all three of these at once. Retiring abroad can also be a time of upheaval but we can assure you that starting a new life in Mexico will be one of the most rewarding things you will do. Nevertheless, with any major change in your life, it is always wise to seek advice and take careful steps towards successful emigration. Below you will find some great tips to help you when starting a new life in Mexico. Have a plan yet be open to change When you make any really big changes—such as starting a new life in Mexico—it is best to have a plan to guide you on your way. Make sure that your plan is flexible enough to change if your situation evolves, but strong enough to keep you on …
The shores and waters of Mexico are teeming with wildlife; some of the most beautiful and rare creatures in the world can be seen here (most especially marine animals), but the most beloved is, without a shadow of a doubt, the sea turtle. In fact, the beaches of Mexico act as nesting grounds for hawksbill, green, and loggerhead turtles; Nesting Turtles The ritual of returning year on year to their own hatching grounds is an ancient one, and it is what ensures the survival of these wonderful creatures. Each year female turtles make the arduous (of 1000 mile) journey from their feeding grounds to these beaches. Upon arrival they will drag their heavy bodies up the beach until they find a suitable spot in which to bury their precious cargo. Once satisfied they return to the sea and a long and dangerous two months begins for the vulnerable clutch. Turtle Protection in Mexico It is sad but true that all turtle species are now endangered; predation, human hunting, pollution, and overfishing (amongst other things) have …
Mexico is a delight when it comes to real estate options. Whether you are looking to purchase a beautiful villa overlooking a tropical scene or to see your own designs constructed into reality as you build your own home, Mexico can deliver. Take a look below to see which opportunities are calling to you. Real Estate Options in Mexico Houses Houses in Mexico tend to consist of two storeys and perhaps even one or two more in bigger cities. Traditional Mexican houses can count with a courtyard which was initially designed to keep the abode cool on hot summer days. More modern houses have shifted from this blueprint and might resemble homes like those found further up in North America or over in Europe. Condos In terms of real estate, a condominium does not refer to a building construction itself but rather a type of ownership. A condo is when you own a unit which is a part of a larger building. There are usually communal areas such as a pool or gym room which …
If there is one cultural attraction in Puerto Vallarta that you will not tire of experiencing, it has to be the flying birdmen on Puerto Vallarta’s Malecon. There are many boutiques and shops, bars and nightclubs, restaurants and cafes along with statues and sculptures that are located on the Malecon boardwalk. But one highlight you don’t want to miss is the flying voladores de papantla show. The Voladores de Papantla (Flyers of Papantla) soar through the sky when they perform their ancient ritual at various times throughout the day Flying Birdmen On Puerto Vallarta’s Malecon You will notice a tall pole on the beach at the northern end of the Malecon boardwalk, just opposite the Bodeguita del Medio cuban restaurant. This is where you will see amazing and talented performers putting on a breathtaking show seven days a week and several shows each day for tips. You will easily notice the traditional performers as they will be dressed in vibrant and colorful embroidered traditional costumes What will you see? The cultural ritual begins when you see …
When you buy Mexican real estate at the beach in Mexico as a foreigner you will go through a process which is similar to and yet very different from the one you may have experienced at home. This is especially the case if you are buying within what is known as the “restricted zone” (the area within 50km of the beaches and borders). As you can see, Mexican real estate at the beach will fall within this category. Mexican real estate at the beach There are four key actors involved in the process of buying a beach or border property in Mexico, some of whom are optional. Bank Fideicomiso Notary public Real Estate Company (optional) Buyer’s Attorney (optional) Bank (Fideicomiso) One of the key differences that you will notice when buying Mexican real estate at the beach is that you will need what is called a fideicomiso, which is a bank trust. If you buy in the restricted zone you will need a trustee to hold the property for you; this can be someone you …
If you are looking into the possibility of buying real estate in Puerto Vallarta, you will find the following information extremely helpful. Here are some things you should know before buying real estate in Puerto Vallarta. Closing real estate procedures in Puerto Vallarta The closing process in Puerto Vallarta usually takes between 30-45 days to process your paperwork and escrow, which need to be carried out by a local public notary. Closing costs are paid by the buyer, while the seller will pay any capital gains taxes and real estate fees. The buyer and seller do not need to be present at closing and can be represented by their Sales Associate via a power of attorney. Property taxes Property taxes are very low for real estate in Puerto Vallarta compared to USA and Canada. Known as ‘Predial’ in Spanish, the rate is around .08% of the assessed value, which is determined at the time of sale. The taxes should be paid yearly. Maintenance You will need to calculate a budget to maintain your property as …
The Grand Penthouse at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta has recently received the top award for hotel suites in Mexico and Central America. This impressive three-bedroom duplex residence is available for real estate, and came out on top of fierce competition from establishments like Hilton and the Four Seasons. The Grand Penthouse at Garza Blanca Resort The Grand Penthouse is somewhat of a jewel on the mountainside; it offers stunning panoramic views of Banderas Bay as well as the utmost luxury. This magnificent duplex covers 6,222 square feet and has great features like ultra-high ceilings, a stunning palapa roof, state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen, and high end fittings and finishings. The chic contemporary design combines with traditional comforts to make this three bedroom Grand Penthouse stands out amongst its contemporaries. World Travel Awards™ World Travel Awards™ began in 1993 and was set up in order to reward, celebrate, and promote excellence across all of the key sectors of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. Today this brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark …
There are so many reasons why people choose to visit Puerto Vallarta for a day, a week or a lifetime! Did you know that it has been named the friendliest city in the world by Conde Nast, while TripAdvisor has lists Puerto Vallarta amongst its Top 10 destinations in Mexico? Puerto Vallarta’s Charm The charm of the oceanside village is a big factor why so many live here, and this blended with modern conveniences make it hard to resist. It has grown to be a popular destination for retirees and is one of the world’s most popular places to retire. Low cost of quality living, friendly domestic staff, medical facilities, golf courses, yacht clubs and numerous charities to keep one busy makes retired life a high quality one. A destination for all ages Not just for the retirees, Puerto Vallarta is a melting pot offering activities for kids and adventure seekers. Nestled where the Sierra Madre meets the pacific, having the mountain and sea as your front and back yard offer year round activities for …
Hotel Mousai, located on the Garza Blanca Preserve in Puerto Vallarta, played host to a press conference at the end of last month announcing Puerto Vallarta’s first International Sculptors Forum. Garza Blanca Real Estate’s developer, Luis Fernando González Corona, was joined by the Dean of the CUCosta University of Guadalajara campus, Dr. Marco Antonio Cortés, and the Mayor of Puerto Vallarta, Arturo Dávalos Peña, to officially announce the International Sculptors Forum which will take place from November 13th to November 25th at the CUCosta campus in Puerto Vallarta. Massive sculptural workshop The idea is to turn Puerto Vallarta into a cultural workshop on a municipal scale with the help of the CUCosta, Puerto Vallarta’s City Council and local private patrons such as Garza Blanca Real Estate’s developer, Luis Fernando Gonzalez Corona. During Puerto Vallarta’s first International Sculptors Forum the city will welcome 11 renowned international sculptors hailing from countries such as Germany, Egypt, Spain, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iran, Mexico, Peru, Taiwan and Turkey. Selected students studying on the CUCosta’s Visual Arts degree program will be …
Whether you are thinking about making Puerto Vallarta your home or you want to visit on vacation, there are plenty of free tours and activities that you can enjoy in Puerto Vallarta with your friends and family! This means that you can save your hard earned cash for the really special things like, for example, whale watching or a private yacht trip. Here are the best free tours and activities to be found in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Downtown Tour The downtown tour runs three days of the week; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 9am with another tour at noon on Tuesday and Wednesday. All tours leave from the tourist office in the town square (Zocalo) and wind through the downtown area while the guide talks about the architecture, the history of the town, and the famous denizens of the town (past and present). We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes and bring water as the tour takes around 2 hours. Free Sculpture Tours Each Tuesday at 9:30am, Gary Thompson of Galeria Pacifico leads the free …
