Planning and preparing for retirement is great if you start doing it at least two years before you actually retire. The gradual transition, like a dress rehearsal, will help you adjust to the new lifestyle and aid you when evaluating your readiness for retirement. Many us dream of early retirement but the reality can be somewhat different to our dreams, especially if we are not considering preparing for retirement first. Below are some of the most important tips you should consider when preparing for retirement. Buy your luxury items now Before you retire, make sure you have already bought the expensive items you might need for the foreseeable future. While you still have your full income, it is important that you acquire that camper van while creditors will still lend you money, or purchase that vacation home of your dreams. Oftentimes, once you retire, it is difficult to fulfill these dreams; plus, if you have to take out loans, you can assess whether you can actually afford to retire. Spend your retirement budget Another great …
In the summer months when temperatures are at their peak, the northern hemisphere of Mexico can be host to powerful storms like cyclones and hurricanes. These storms are born over the oceans where they gather strength and speed before heading inland. When they make landfall, usually along the Pacific Coast of Mexico or the Yucatan Peninsula and less often along the Gulf of Mexico, they can do incredible damage. What are hurricanes and Typhoons? Hurricane is the colloquial term for a large and powerful tropical cyclone that forms in the Atlantic or Northern Pacific region while typhoon is the name given to tropical cyclones that form in the Western North Pacific Ocean (Philippines, China and Japan). The difference between the two names is simply geography. In both instances, hurricanes and typhoons alike are unpredictable and often dangerous natural phenomena. As such, cyclones affecting Mexico are called hurricanes. Characteristics of a hurricane When a hurricane makes landfall the local climate conforms to very specific conditions; most notable are the sustained high winds which reach at least …
The 23rd International Gourmet Festival will be held in Puerto Vallarta on November 10th through November 19th, 2017. Several restaurants and hotels in the area, including the Garza Blanca Resort & Spa and Hotel Mousai, will be taking part. During this ten day celebration, foodies from all over the world will be able to attend the events in this popular gourmet festival that takes place every year in Puerto Vallarta. Special Guest Chefs at Garza Blanca and Hotel Mousai As part of the Puerto Vallarta Gourmet Festival, Garza Blanca Resort & Spa and Hotel Mousai will welcome three guest chefs to accompany the resident chefs, Mario Castro from Blanca Blue, Alvaro Cortez from BocaDos STK, and Chef Carlos Leyva from Hiroshi. Chef Victor Padua, Alexander Branch, and Chef Oscar Gonzalez will join the resident chefs respectively, sharing their culinary knowledge and expertise while creating signature menus that will be served at each of the restaurants during the Gourmet Festival. From November 11th through November 19th the delicious dishes will be offered on the menu. …
No investment is quite as secure and tangibly enjoyable as real estate; when you buy a luxury property in your favorite vacation destination you are putting your money to work in a way that can benefit your health and happiness as well as your wallet! It is hard to find intrinsic pleasure in the stock exchange or bitcoin, but real estate can bring weeks of enjoyment to you per year! What’s the point of owning second home real estate? Well, there is obvious value in a “bricks and mortar” investment, but the “point” can contain so much more! Being able to enjoy the proceeds of your money whilst it works for you is a blessed position to be in, and if you don’t want to go all in you can always consider fractional ownership with the Garza Blanca real estate. Why invest in Garza Blanca Real Estate in Puerto Vallarta Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular beach destinations in Mexico and is rated as one of the most friendly and safe cities in …
Many people are confused by the Mexican system of land ownership; certain land is “restricted”, some is “ejido”, and some is freely available… but what does all this mean? Well, restricted land falls within 100 km of the borders and 50 km of the coasts of Mexico and requires a Fideicomiso if it is to be bought by foreign nationals. “Ejido” land is even more tightly regulated and has no official title; it can only be owned by certain Mexican nationals under certain circumstances and never by a foreigner. Real on to find out more about the Mexican Fideicomiso What is a Fideicomiso? A fideicomiso is a kind of real estate trust in which you, the buyer, are beneficiary and the Mexican bank of your choosing is the trustee. As beneficiary you retain all control over the sale, assignment, improvement, and use of the property. This is not a lease, but much like a US living trust. You are the beneficiary of the trust; the bank simply administers it. Why do I need a Fideicomiso? …
The United World Tourism Organization has, based on statistics from 2016, ranked Mexico as the 8th most popular destination in the world for international visitors. These World Tourism rankings are released three times per year and rate countries based on the revenue that tourism creates for them as well as the number of international visitors per year. This year, Mexico has beaten hot destinations like Turkey, Portugal, Thailand, Greece, and the Dominican Republic for the number 8 spot. Reasons for Mexico’s Popularity for International Visitors If you read the Mexican newspaper, El Universal, one of the main reasons for the recent increase in Mexico’s popularity is the favorable exchange rates that Canadian, American, and European visitors enjoy. Of course, exchange rates alone do not explain the estimated 64% rise in tourism over the last five years (this translates to around 9.6 million international visitors coming to Mexico in 2016 alone). Other than favorable exchange rates Mexico offers much to international (and local) tourists. Fine dining, great bars, historical and cultural attractions, natural wonders, and of …
Owning a residence at Garza Blanca Preserve in Puerto Vallarta gives you access to the city’s best and most extensive hydrotherapy circuit, through the incomparable Spa Imagine). So, why not schedule some time to relax in Spa Imagine’s wet areas? Spa Imagine’s Stunning Wet Areas If you book a massage, special package, body treatment, or facial with the Spa Imagine you will gain access to the hydrotherapy circuit and wet areas as a complimentary add on, but you can book time in these areas separately, too! If you want to make the most of the hydrotherapy circuit you should arrive an hour before your booked treatment, but even a little time can help you to relax and prepare for total relaxation. Here’s a run-down of what you can expect from the Spa Imagine hydrotherapy circuit; Steam Room The marble steam room is a luxurious, detox space which will allow you to relax and sweat out the toxins in your body. Sauna The pine-fresh sauna will restore your mind and body while giving you a great …
Unless you happen to live under a rock, you have no doubt heard something negative about Mexico in the mainstream media at some point. Sure, drug cartels continue to traffic their illegal goods and feud with one another which can lead to bouts of violence. However, most of this activity happens around border towns such as Ciudad Juarez where there is a constant struggle for control in these areas between rival cartels. The country of Mexico as a whole is generally a safe place filled with warm, friendly people. If you are considering a move to this beautiful and diverse country that is bursting with vibrant culture, you are not alone. With an extremely large community of expats and retirees living here, it’s clear that the media is blowing the “dangers” of Mexico far out of proportion. With that said, here are some basics for living safely in Mexico: Stick to Well-traveled Areas While there are many cities and coastal areas with expat enclaves scattered throughout the country, tourist destinations such as Cabo and Puerto …
Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta was thrilled to host the Braxton sisters earlier this year where they enjoyed a vacation while filming their popular reality show which airs on WE tv called Braxton Family Values. Episodes of the current season highlighted their getaway to the tropical paradise in Mexico. Braxton sisters Toni, Tamar, Traci, Trina and Towanda star together with their mother Evelyn in the series, which follows their dramatic lives. The series has been a major hit for WE tv, and it was, in fact, the network’s most successful show in 2016 among young adults. The Braxton Family Award-winning eldest sister Toni Braxton rose to stardom in the 90s as one of the decade’s most successful R&B singer-songwriters (not to mention actress and record producer). Toni and her starlet sisters Tamar, Traci, Trina and Towanda, who are all talented singers and actresses as well, enjoy the spotlight alongside their opera singing mother Evelyn in Braxton Family Values. The multitalented family has kept audiences in North America entertained since 2011, when their …
You could be forgiven for thinking that, when it comes to cashing in on Mexican real estate in prime locations like Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, and Los Cabos, you have missed the boat. There are, however, still plenty of opportunities in Mexico, and it is easier today to invest in Mexican real estate than it has ever been before. Read on to find out more about Mexican real estate for vacation rentals. Investing in Mexican Real Estate for Vacation Rentals Foreigners can buy real estate almost anywhere in Mexico, but there are different regulations when you try to buy property within the “restricted zones ” (these are the zones around 62 miles from the coasts and borders of Mexico). Once you have dealt with all this, and bought the property, however, you can get to work making your investment work for you through vacation rental income. This is a rapidly growing option; last year saw a 9% growth in this industry. Occupancy rates are also rising for the top destinations in Mexico, such as Puerto Vallarta. Income …
