Why I'm Going To Mexico

Saturday, September 11, 2010

International Living Postcards, your daily escape, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010

Dear International Living Reader,

I'm planning a trip from Mexico's Caribbean coast around Tulum,down to Belize's Caribbean coast around Corozal. This is picture-postcard Caribbean, yet some of the real estate prices reported there are incredibly low.

I'm taking a few days off after the Live and Invest in Mexico Seminar in November to make this trip, and asked Glynna for some recommendations about things to do. Thought you might like to see what she sent.

Len GalvinManaging Editor, IL Postcards
Something for Everyone on Mexico's Caribbean Coast By Glynna Prentice

The drive down Mexico's Caribbean coast, from Cancún to the Belize border, is one of my favorites in Mexico. That's because the destinations along this route are all so different. If you're visiting, it's like having a smorgasbord of beach lifestyles to sample. If you're looking with relocation in mind, you're even luckier, whatever beach lifestyle you seek, you can probably find it someplace along this coast.--Recommended by IL--How to feel up to 20 years younger almost overnight. Not far from the US, there's a place that's as close to a real-world Fountain of Youth as you'll find anywhere in the world.It offers near-perfect year-round weather, stunning scenery, and a 3,700 member expat club. There are also festivals and lively social functions in the area almost every weekend of the year. And here's the best part. The cost of living here is about 50% less than most of America and Canada making it one of the best places in the world to live and retire. And feel young again. Find out how this nearby Fountain of Youth can make you feel up to 20 years younger, almost overnight.

For laid-back island life, take a look at Cozumel or Isla Mujeres. The snorkeling off Cozumel is world-famous, with a wealth of colorful marine life. On Isla, go just a quarter-mile away from the trendy bars near the harbor and you'll find areas that look almost rural. On Isla's northern coast I saw locals walking long stretches of shingly beach, picking up seashells near the dramatic homes that look out to sea. It's hard to believe that you're a 15-minute ferry-ride from Cancun's bright lights.

If you're looking for a vibrant yet cozy destination with a bohemian touch, there's Playa del Carmen, one of my favorite beach towns. You still find stalls along Fifth Avenue where vendors sell crystals or will braid your hair. And it's an excellent place for people-watching. But today you also find designer stores, top restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, and condos with all amenities. Those are all for whiling away the evening hours. During the day you'll no doubt be at the beach, enjoying the wide array of sports activities. On one visit, I spotted swimmers, scuba divers, windsurfers, jet-skiers, fishermen, and a parasail glider all at the same time.

Tulúm has some of the most beautiful beaches along this coast. The beaches are pure white sand, the waters are turquoise, and the waves rolling in are almost irresistible. Unlike Playa with its bustle, however, Tulúm feels tranquil. This is the place for that yoga class in the morning, or massage or meditation after your day on the beach. It's also a good base for eco-excursions. West of Tulúm lies jungle area, and south of it is the huge Sian Kaan biosphere, home to hundreds of varieties of plant and animal life. (I'm hoping to sign up for a kayaking tour of the reserve on one of my upcoming visits.)

Tulúm is just starting to be developed. Still largely off the radar (and off the grid) is the Costa Maya, south of Sian Kaan running down to the Belize border. If you want pure undeveloped beachfront, this is the place. And it's another great area for scuba diving in places, the barrier reef offshore is only a few hundred yards away. There are few amenities in most of the Costa Maya, but Mahahual is a lively and growing little town.

You can find properties at almost every price point along this coast, from $50,000 jungle lots to condos in the low $100,000s up to million-dollar-plus beachfront homes. Just decide what you want and start exploring your options.

And believe me, on this beautiful coast, browsing for that perfect home is at least half the fun.

I'll share full details on properties in this area at the Live and Invest in Mexico Seminar, Nov. 11-13.