Beaches

Pictures of Cabo San Lucas

Population

58,000 (2005 Census)

Altitude

10 feet above sea-level

Time Zone

Mountain Time

High/Low Temperatures

60F/15C (Nocturnal, Winter), 95F/32C (Daytime, Summer). Year-Round Average 78F/24C.

Rainy Season?

The rainy season runs from June to October with most of the rainfall in August and September. Tropical storms, and on occasions hurricanes, can land here especially during late summer

Hurricanes?

Los Cabos is subject to Hurricanes from the Pacific Ocean

Local Economy:

Fishing, tourism

Expat Penetration

High*

Cost of Living

Average for Resort Towns*

Travel Guide

Guide to Cabo San Lucas

Photo Gallery

*Relative to other foreign expat communities in Mexico

Los Cabos comprises two towns: Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. The two cities are joined by a 30km (20 mile) stretch of road that runs along an area known as the ‘tourist corridor’ on account that the stretch is dotted by top-class hotels and resorts.

The Baja Peninsula is divided into two states: Baja California, and Baja California Sur, and is a socially and politically unique region of Mexico. There exists a considerable amount of U.S. influence and the peninsula is becoming autonomous in many ways to the rest of Mexico, albeit the land and the local people who inhabit it continue to exude Mexican culture and values.

“The Baja” as the peninsula is often referred to, is tightly linked to the United States in many ways; in part because of the geography and in part due to the massive U.S. investment — both corporate and individual — that is taking place here. For example, many prices in Los Cabos are routinely quoted in U.S. Dollars; and, at a macro level, Baja California produces its own electricity — so much, that it exports the excess for sale to California in the U.S.A.

Mexican authorities also recognize the uniqueness of this land space and have made special allowances, such as allowing U.S.-plated motor vehicles to enter and remain on the peninsula, provided that the vehicle’s U.S. tax stickers are kept current. Elsewhere in Mexico, vehicles require an import permit and must be legalized (plates changed to Mexican plates) or exported (driven back across the border) within a fixed time period.

The peninsula’s geography, the ties to the United States, and the unabating investment pouring-in from Mexico’s northern neighbor as well from Mexican interests, provide retirees and people who want to live (and possibly work) in Mexico a very unique opportunity: to live in a region that is undoubtedly Mexican, but which has many of the hues and benefits of being so closely associated with the U.S.A.

Of course, the influx of investment and interest over the last fifteen to twenty years means that land and property prices have risen considerably over the period; however, since the credit crisis that began in late 2007, prices have begun to atone and relative bargains may now be sought in the region.

With over 55,000 square miles of land space, the Baja peninsula is huge. Baja California is over 27,000 square miles in size; its capital city is Mexicali. Baja California Sur, that incorporates Los Cabos, is a little over 28,000 square miles in size. The southern state on the peninsula is the least densely populated state in Mexico, with just one person for every four square miles of land space. Its capital city is La Paz.

The Baja peninsula offers a diverse range of options for people who want to live retire and even work in Mexico. Los Cabos offers top-level amenities and local services; however, if you want to live more simply, there are alternative spaces, like those in and around San Felipe, offering land parcels ideal for the construction of eco-homes in Mexico.

The peninsula offers good transport links by road, air and ferry. People who own their own boats also find the many ports and marinas make the peninsula easily accessible.

The climate in this region is divine; it’s one of the biggest attractions for retirees and even then, there is choice. Although the coastal areas get hot and sultry in the summer, sea breezes cool them down; for those who need respite from the heat, mountain ranges that climb over a mile high above sea-level offer altitude and cooler temperatures.

Credit Crunch Making Los Cabos More Affordable

As ocean-front (or ocean view) properties in the United States went from being very expensive to eye-wateringly expensive, investors who yearned to have a bolt-hole by the sea looked to places like Los Cabos, where sea facing and sea view property was still affordable. The recent credit crisis has caused all realty markets to atone, and lower prices are now apparent even in the most sought-after Mexican realty markets, of which Los Cabos is one.

Inward Investment

Los Cabos, like a number of other resort areas in Mexico, continues to experience a surge of inward investment; and although foreign capital is flowing, Mexicans too, are looking to the peninsula. This investment can be seen at many different levels: small boutique stores, cafe’s and restaurants opening their doors; the renaissance run-down neighborhoods in old parts of the towns and cities, and the arrival of major hotel and resort brands — companies who spend millions ‘doing their homework’ before they lay a single brick — are building and opening major new resorts in and around Los Cabos.

Better Quality of Life

Economic and political ties alone will not attract retirees and others to live in a foreign land; beyond the underlying strengths of the Baja region, Los Cabos offers its residents a superb quality of life, with services and amenities to support a comfortable way of living.

The great outdoors — on the water and on land — is really spectacular here. The climate lends itself perfectly to outdoor pursuits, which is why Los Cabos is host to no less than six world championship golf courses and major international sports fishing events.

In addition to sports fishing, SCUBA diving, boating and yachting, swimming, canoeing and kayaking, wind surfing and water skiing are just a few of the other water sports on offer here.

Back on the land: the diversity of the desert terrain offers opportunities to hike, climb, take part in eco-tours and adventure travel activities (off road racing, climbing, etc). Mountains over a mile high provide breath-taking views and an opportunity to get fit and, quite literally, lift yourself up from the heat of the coasts to the cool mountain micro climates at 5,000 feet.

Foreign expatriate communities — now well established in this region — provide advice, support and networks of friends and associates to participate in sports and hobbies, do business, or simply relax and unwind.

Potential expatriates may look at various locations across Mexico and see similarities in what each one has to offer. Los Cabos — and the Baja Peninsula — is unique: no other region in Mexico offers what this peninsula does, and no other coastal resort town offers what Los Cabos does.

This uniqueness is also going to dictate that Los Cabos is not going to be the right for everyone: but for those who do come here and can feel themselves at home, the location has been — is — and will continue to be one of the most attractive locations on Mexican soil for foreigners to live, retire and work in.

Cost of Living in Los Cabos

The cost of living in Mexico is typically lower in Mexico than it is the USA, Canada and Western Europe, although precise costs depend upon where you live and your lifestyle choices.

Cost of Living Report

To learn more about the cost of living in Mexico, connect to the Mexico Cost of Living page on Mexperience.

Regional and geographical cost variations do exist, and this part of the guide shows you how some goods and services at Los Cabos vary from the average.

Blog Articles:

Real Estate in Los Cabos

Information about the real estate market in Los Cabos.

Real Estate Market in Los Cabos

Prices of realty in Los Cabos have risen considerably over the last decade, although they still remain at very affordable levels when compared to ocean-side and ocean-facing property in the United States and Europe.

As ocean-front (or ocean view) properties in the United States went from being very expensive to eye-wateringly expensive and unaffordable to most, investors who yearned to have a bolt-hole by the sea looked south. Even at the height of the property boom, prices in Los Cabos were affordable in comparison with comparable ocean-side properties in the U.S.A. Since the credit bubble burst in late 2007, prices in Mexico have been leveling off and at least one developer is offering condos and apartments at price levels not seen since the mid 1990’s.

For those who and love Los Cabos, but felt the area was out of their price range, it’s now time to take another look; for those who have yet to discover why so many people have moved here in the last fifteen years, the price tags no longer need to be a barrier.

Most real estate is sold through local realty agents who know the area and the surrounding region, as well as directly through the developers marketing major realty projects, often on prime beachfront locations or on fine golf courses.

Real estate types range from beachfront homes, lots, and condos. There are also a number of time-share projects in and around Los Cabos, and especially in the tourist zone of the city (note that time share is not ownership). Private residences (mostly re-sales) are available in the town center of Los Cabos as well as out-of-town, where investors are buying homes offering desert-landscape surroundings with ocean and/or mountain views.

Rentals Market in Los Cabos

Most rental properties in Los Cabos are offered through local realty agents or by individual property owners listing properties on the Internet or local newspapers and magazines as well as signs posted at restaurants, cafes and bars near the vicinity where the rentals are situated. Some realty developers rent out their units or rent out units on behalf of owners: check with local developers or a local realty agent for details and further information.

Healthcare in Los Cabos

In addition to Mexico’s state sponsored healthcare provided via the country’s national health service IMSS, good quality healthcare services offered through private clinics with US -standard healthcare services exist in Los Cabos. The privately-run out patient clinics available locally are ideal for day-to-day ailments, sprains, broken bones and other health matters which would normally be diagnosed and treated by a General Practitioner of medicine.

Local Climate in Los Cabos

Los Cabos enjoys a yearly average temperature of 81F/24C. Winter months can be cooler and drop to 65F/15C at night; summer months may reach highs of 90F/30C in July and August especially.

Winter Climate:

January through March, the winter months, are the coolest: a time when the climate in Los Cabos is mild, sunny and comfortable. Temperatures range from 55F/12C at night to 75F/22C in the day. Although it does not freeze by the coast, temperatures can drop below freezing inland and especially on the nearby Laguna Mountains, which rise over 5,200 feet above sea level.

Spring Climate:

April through June – springtime in Los Cabos is period of time that sees hardly no rain and temperatures rise gradually as winter yields to spring. Temperatures range from 60F/14C overnight to 85F/26C in the daytime.

Summer Climate:

July through September are the hottest months, with temperature ranging from 75F/21C overnight, to 100F/35C in the daytime. Temperatures and humidity reach their peak in mid-July and August and the hot air also gives rise to tropical storms and, on occasions, hurricanes.

Autumn Climate:

In stark contrast to the gradual incline of temperatures between winter and spring, the autumn tends to arrive suddenly in Los Cabos. Temperatures remain very warm and the air is muggy through to late September; not until the Oceans cool and the winds change direction do temperatures fall back to their ‘spring like’ comfortable levels – this happens in October. Rain is infrequent, but possible; in contrast to the spring when any rain at all is a complete surprise. Temperatures in the autumn months range from 63F/16C overnight to 85F/27C in the daytime. Humidity levels drop considerably from October onwards.

Rainy Season:

Los Cabos’s rainy season runs from June to October, with most of the rain falling in August and September. Torrential afternoon rains may be experienced several days a week and, in the peak temperature months tropical storms and hurricanes may feature, too.

Hurricanes:

Hurricanes can affect Los Cabos, particularly during the hottest months. Most hurricanes that have landed on the peninsula have happened in August and September.

Sea Temperature in Los Cabos

During the peak summer months of July and August, sea temperatures may reach as high as 90F/30C; in other months, the sea temperature will average around 70F/20C.

Practical Information About Living in Los Cabos

This section contains links to guides where you can learn more about living in Los Cabos.

Living, Working and Retirement in Puerto Vallarta

Mexperience — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:43:41 +0000

Research and assess Puerto Vallarta as a location for living, working or retirement in Mexico.

Living in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast that has been popular with leisure travelers and expatriate residents for decades. The location has also earned some notoriety due to its backdrop being employed for the filming of some major motion pictures; the most famous, perhaps because it ‘put Puerto Vallarta on the map’, is Night of the Iguana.

Puerto Vallarta At-a-Glance:

Location Type

Population

180,000; 220,000 in the wider Puerto Vallarta area (2005 Census).

Altitude

15 feet above sea-level

Time Zone

Central Time

High/Low Temperatures

62F/16C (Nocturnal, Winter), 90F/30C (Daytime, Summer). Year-Round Average 86F/27C.

Rainy Season?

Puerto Vallarta’s rainy season runs from late May to October each year, with tropical storms, and on occasions hurricanes, landing here especially in late summer.

Hurricanes?

Puerto Vallarta is subject to Hurricanes from the Pacific Ocean.

Local Economy:

Tourism, agriculture, light industry, e-commerce.

Expat Penetration

High*

Cost of Living*

Moderate-High

Travel Guide

Guide to Puerto Vallarta

*Relative to other foreign expat communities in Mexico

The town is known to most people as simply “Vallarta”, and is oftentimes referred to by foreigners as “PV”.

Rich expatriates and celebrities have been choosing this resort town for their home for many decades now; although of late there has also been a significant influx of baby boomers to Vallarta, as well as a contingency of younger expats moving here to set up homes and businesses.

Puerto Vallarta is an accessible city — by air, by road and by sea — and this accessibility, especially the advents of new road construction and direct flights from key cities in the U.S.A, has played an important part in the growth story of this city over the course of the last ten years.

Transport connections may get people here, but it’s the town itself that keeps them coming back — or, as is more often the case, coming back for good.

The region’s sea-side climate, with winter temperatures (Dec-Mar) averaging in the mid 60’s F, spring temperatures (Apr-Jun) rising to averages in the late 70’s F, and summer temperatures (July-Sep) reaching as high as the mid 90’s F, Puerto Vallarta offers an attractive year-long climate for living and retirement. The months of July, August and September bring the hottest temperatures and highest levels of humidity; those who love this climate stay all summer; those who don’t leave for the hottest months (July, August) and return in late September when the temperatures and humidity ease.

With its unique blend of colonial charms, attractive climate, ocean living and Mexican authenticity, Vallarta epitomizes what so many foreigners come looking for in Mexico.

Affordable and Modern

Puerto Vallarta, like so many other Mexican towns and cities — even those on the coast — is affordable to buy into and affordable to live in. The stellar population growth in the region has also been attracting some major commercial investors to the region; and so modern, avant-garde amenities, like super-centers selling imported U.S. goods, modern shopping centers, cinemas, good restaurants and modern healthcare centers and clinics are just some of the modern amenities being enjoyed by residents in the Vallarta area. For people who want a real taste of Mexico and also want some U.S.-style commercial comforts to support their lifestyle, Puerto Vallarta is an option.

Vibrant Economy

It’s estimated that over fifty per cent of people in Vallarta are employed — directly or indirectly — by the tourism industry. Notwithstanding this, the city of Vallarta and Jalisco, the state it resides in, has other sources of prosperity which are flourishing more and more each year. The fertile lands in this region are ideal for certain types of agriculture, especially citrus, banana, mango and avocado. Fishing operations from the Bay of Banderas provide a livelihood to many. Specialized ‘light manufacturing’ cottage industries are springing up around here (for example, boat building) and the state of Jalisco (and especially Vallarta) are emerging as key ‘e-commerce’ centers in Mexico as people developing the ‘dot com’ and other knowledge industries move here and set up their businesses servicing local and international markets. Construction and home sales have been significant sources of income over the last decade, although these industries have abated with the world-wide downturn in real estate prices.

Puerto Vallarta and Environs

The ‘old town’ of Puerto Vallarta still exudes “old world” feel and characteristics with its narrow streets, cobbled stone lanes, red-tiled pitched roofs and authentic local neighborhoods.

Further out of town — north and south, larger houses as well as luxury condominiums have began to dot the landscape.

Nuevo Vallarta (New Vallarta), an area some ten minutes drive north of the city’s international airport is one the places that has attracted enormous interest from foreign buyers with its gorgeous marina, relative proximity to the city center of Vallarta, proximity to modern shopping and services, and still right on the sea front.

Further north is the town of Punta de Mita — an exclusive area in the region. The Four Seasons Hotel has one of its two Mexican properties situated here and the area surrounding it is beginning to develop at a fast pace. Luxury living — secluded and exclusive — but close to Vallarta, is on offer in Punta de Mita.

Cost of Living in Puerto Vallarta

The cost of living in Mexico is typically lower in Mexico than it is the USA, Canada and Western Europe, although precise costs depend upon where you live and your lifestyle choices.

Cost of Living Report

To learn more about the cost of living in Mexico, connect to the Mexico Cost of Living page on Mexperience.

Regional and geographical cost variations do exist, and this part of the guide shows you how some goods and services at Puerto Vallarta vary from the average.

Blog Articles:

Getting Around Puerto Vallarta

Real Estate in Puerto Vallarta

Information about the real estate market in Puerto Vallarta.

Prices of realty soared in Puerto Vallarta between the mid 1990’s and 2007, making some areas almost unaffordable to people on a modest budget. The high prices in the central areas in and around Vallarta gave rise to expansion of the areas further south and north, where land and constructed property prices are lower. As the world-wide realty market experiences a price correction, market conditions have caused price rises to stall, which is now creating an investment opportunity for people who want to make a long term commitment to the area whether inside Vallarta or one of the emerging areas within a forty minute drive of the city center.

Real Estate Market in Puerto Vallarta

Real Estate, like the growth in population, has boomed in Puerto Vallarta over the last fifteen years. Vallarta continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico, and it’s not just foreigners buying: many Mexicans, especially those who are looking for beach side property or those leaving Mexico City, are spying Vallarta and making investments here.

As demand grew, prices rose across Vallarta and environs. Prime properties, especially those in desirable areas of the city center and some of the fine developments situated north and south of the town can still command a good price; however there is plenty of land and space around Vallarta and if your geographic preferences are flexible, you will be able to find some bargains, too.

Real estate types range from beachfront homes, lots, and condos. Residences (mostly re-sales) are available in the town center of Puerto Vallarta as well as out-of-town, where investors are buying homes offering semi-rural surroundings and ocean and/or mountain views.

Rentals Market in Puerto Vallarta

Most rental properties in Puerto Vallarta are offered through local realty agents or by individual property owners listing properties on the Internet or local newspapers and magazines as well as signs posted at restaurants, cafes and bars near the vicinity where the rentals are situated.

Healthcare in Puerto Vallarta

In addition to Mexico’s state sponsored healthcare provided via the country’s national health service IMSS, good quality healthcare services offered through private clinics with US -standard healthcare services exist in Puerto Vallarta. The privately-run out patient clinics available locally are ideal for day-to-day ailments, sprains, broken bones and other health matters which would normally be diagnosed and treated by a General Practitioner of medicine.

Local Climate in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta enjoys a yearly average temperature of 86F/27C. Winter months can be cooler and drop to 62F/16C at night; summer months may reach highs of 90F/30C, with drenching humidity in July and August especially.

62F/16C (Nocturnal, Winter), 90F/30C (Daytime, Summer). Year-Round Average 86F/27C.

Winter Climate:

January through March are the coolest months. Temperatures can range from 62F/16C to 81F/25C in the day.

Spring Climate:

April through June – springtime – are warmer months in Puerto Vallarta with temperatures ranging from 65F/17C overnight to 88F/29C in the daytime.

Summer Climate:

July through September are the hottest months, with temperature ranging from 75F/21C overnight, to 95F/32C in the daytime. Temperatures and humidity reach their peak in mid-July and August; this is a time when many local residents leave the area to go traveling and retirees leave to visit families back home; returning in late September as temperatures in Puerto Vallarta begin to moderate.

Autumn Climate:

October thru December usually offer the best climate in Puerto Vallarta. Temperatures moderate again starting late September, the drenching humidity disappears and the warm, comfortable climate that is loved by all who live in Vallarta, returns. Temperatures range from 73F/22C overnight to 87F/27C in the daytime.

Rainy Season:

Puerto Vallarta’s rainy season runs from May to October. Torrential afternoon rains may be experienced several days a week and, in the peak temperature months of July, August and September tropical storms may feature, too.

Hurricanes:

Hurricanes can affect Puerto Vallarta, although the enormous Bay of Banderas is said to “protect” the area from most of the Pacific hurricanes that pass by the region.

Sea Temperature in Puerto Vallarta

During the peak summer months of July and August, sea temperatures may reach as high as 80F/23C; in other months, the sea temperature will average around 65F/18C.

Practical Information About Living in Puerto Vallarta

This section contains links to guides where you can learn more about living in Puerto Vallarta.

Accessibility / Transport

Getting Around

Communications

Guide to Money in Mexico | Banks & Banking in Mexico

Money and Banking

Practical Matters

Auto Insurance in Mexico

Safety in Mexico

Travel Guide to Puerto Vallarta

Key Attractions

The post Living, Working and Retirement in Puerto Vallarta first appeared on Mexperience.

Living, Working and Retirement in Mazatlán

Mexperience — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 17:43:40 +0000

Research and assess Mazatlán as a location for living, working or retirement in Mexico.

Living in Mazatlan

Mazatlan is the northern-most resort city on the Mexican Riviera (situated along the Pacific Coast) and is Mexico’s closest mainland resort city to the USA. It is one of the most economical places in Mexico to take a vacation and it’s also host to one of Mexico’s largest commercial shipping ports.

Mazatlan At-a-Glance:

Location Type

Population

350,000; 405,000 in the wider Mazatlan area (2005 Census)

Altitude

10 feet above sea-level

Time Zone

Mountain Time

High/Low Temperatures

65F/15C (Nocturnal, Winter), 90F/30C (Daytime, Summer). Year-Round Average 81F/24C.

Rainy Season?

Mazatlan’s rainy season runs from late May to October each year, with tropical storms, and on occasions hurricanes, landing here especially in late summer

Hurricanes?

Mazatlan is subject to Hurricanes from the Pacific Ocean but is protected by the Baja California peninsula

Local Economy:

Shrimp fishing; tourism

Expat Penetration

Low*

Cost of Living

Lower*

Travel Guide

Guide to Mazatlan

*Relative to other foreign expat communities in Mexico

Mazatlan is socially diverse, and attracts people from many different countries and races. There is a strong contingency of Chinese and Italian people living here; although the city also attracts Americans, Canadians and some Europeans looking for an authentic Mexican town without the hyper commercialism of some other resort areas in Mexico.

The Centro Historico (Historic Center) has been undergoing a remarkable renaissance in recent years as property investors have bought up derelict colonial buildings and restored them to their former 18th Century glory. The city authorities are doing their part, too, by improving essential infrastructures such as water, drainage and the local electricity supply grid.

In addition to some fine residences, the historic center is also developing into a lively commercial and cultural center, offering art centers, theater, boutique stores, and fine restaurants situated alongside beautiful tree and flower-laden plazas and patios.

Mazatlan is one of Mexico’s most affordable vacation destinations and many Mexicans arrive here every year for their family holidays. The Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) is a stretch of sea-front properties — mostly hotels and condominiums — extending along some four miles of beach. It’s here where the tourists come to stay and spend their vacations, and some expats purchase condos with stunning views across the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortes.

To the south, this vibrant port city faces the Pacific Ocean, and facing north, the Sea of Cortes, a body of water shielded by Mexico’s Baja peninsula. The city’s geographical location — on the same latitude as Hawaii — provides year-round warmth without extreme heat or humidity.

Transport connections include an international airport with direct flights to key US cities (and onward connections to Europe and beyond); a highway leading north to Los Mochis (another port city and the terminus for the breath-taking Copper Canyon Train Journey), the US border. The road south leads to Puerto Vallarta and then to Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city. A twice-weekly ferry also makes a crossing over the Sea of Cortes to the city of La Paz, capital city of the state of Baja California Sur.

Due to its latitude, Mazatlan’s climate is more moderate than Mexican coastal cities located further south. The average daytime temperature is 82F/28C, and summertime humidity levels stay largely subdued in comparison to places like Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco.

Mazatlan is still considered a resort city ‘off the beaten track’ by most foreign investors and those who are looking to live and retire in Mexico. This situation provides a unique opportunity and affordability factor that other coastal cities on Mexico’s Pacific coast don’t offer anymore due to their popularity. In addition to being alongside the ocean, this city is totally authentic in style: the real Mexico lives and breathes here every day of the year.

Among the Most Affordable Beach Locations in Mexico

Living or retiring in Mazatlan is affordable – possibly the most affordable beach resort city on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Property prices have risen in recent years, but this is a city still in the early stages of a renaissance; in and around the historical center there still exists a mixture of developed and undeveloped colonial properties; and around the edges of the historical center are neighborhoods with ‘fixer upper’ properties being offered for sale — a sure sign that there is much more growth and development to come. The other affordability factor in Mazatlan are living costs: local shops, stores and prices are lower than other beach resorts in Mexico and smaller budgets stretch further: not just at the point of purchasing a property — but also when residents move in and start paying day-to-day living expenses.

Inward Investment

Mazatlan has been experiencing a surge of inward investment over recent years: from Mexicans as well as foreigners. This is demonstrated in the renaissance of the historic center as well as the arrival of some new major hotel brands that are building and opening major new resorts south of Mazatlan.

At present, only two cities in Mexico can offer extensive conference facilities: Cancun and Mexico City. A new convention center recently opened in Mazatlan is Mexico’s largest, and it will attract a huge number of visitors to the city for expos and conferences; the expo center is spear-heading the efforts as Mexico positions itself as world-class venue for large meetings and expositions.

A multi-billion dollar investment being led by FONATUR, Mexico’s tourism investment agency, will create a major new resort area about a two-to-three hour drive south of Mazatlan. The area will also have its own airport, and the massive investment being made there will have a positive effect on Mazatlan proper.

A number of large developers are already creating luxury homes and condos in Mazatlan with extensive projects to supply the growing demand from new arrivals to the region, especially from foreigners seeking retirement and other lifestyle options in Mexico.

Overlooked Gem, About to Awaken

A couple of week’s visit to Mazatlan demonstrates that this is a city that has been overlooked by most foreigners for retirement and investment, and also one which is on the cusp of awakening to become an important resort city in Mexico as well as internationally.

There is no doubting the massive and continuous investment that is being made here today, and already the number of expatriate residents is beginning to increase as more people discover this resort and port city, that had been largely overlooked by foreigners seeking a place to live in Mexico and left undeveloped by investors since about the 1950’s.

The signs of development are apparent to those who have lived in Mazatlan for a decade or more; and the growth story appears to just be starting. Foreigners who are looking for a variety of property styles, a low cost of living and who want to live among an authentic Mexican environment will do well to consider Mazatlan — clearly an overlooked location on the cusp of a 21st Century renaissance.

Cost of Living in Mazatlan

The cost of living in Mexico is typically lower in Mexico than it is the USA, Canada and Western Europe, although precise costs depend upon where you live and your lifestyle choices.

Cost of Living Report

To learn more about the cost of living in Mexico, connect to the Mexico Cost of Living page on Mexperience.

Regional and geographical cost variations do exist, and this part of the guide shows you how some goods and services at Cuernavaca vary from the average.

Blog Articles:

Real Estate in Mazatlan

Information about the real estate market in Mazatlan.

Real Estate Market in Mazatlan

Prices of realty in Mazatlan have risen considerably over the last decade, although they still remain at very affordable levels when compared to properties in other Mexican resort cities. The re-development of the central historic district of the city is demonstrating the potential that exists for breathing life into old, ruined buildings, and transforming neighborhoods in and around the city’s central area. Prices have risen as the regeneration takes place, and further developments along the Golden Zone sea-front, as well as north and south of Mazatlan are ongoing.

Prices for real estate continue to hold for desirable properties overlooking the ocean and, as further planned development takes place, the supply of land for dwelling houses and constructed homes is likely to increase in the years ahead.

Real estate types range from beachfront homes, lots, and condos. There are also a number of time-share projects in and around Mazatlan, and especially in the tourist “golden zone” area of the city (note that time share is not ownership). Private residences (mostly re-sales) are available in the town center of Mazatlan as well as out-of-town, where investors are buying homes offering semi-rural surroundings and ocean and/or mountain views.

The central historical area — and especially the edges of same — exhibits a significant number of buildings in various states of disrepair and ruin and may provide an ideal investment for people who want to create their home by means of a colonial restoration project. Some properties have ‘for sale’ signs posted; others do not; contacting a local realty agent is the best way of finding out what the status of an old (ruined) building may be, and to negotiate the sale if the owner is open to offers.

Rentals Market in Mazatlan

Most rental properties in Mazatlan are offered through local realty agents or by individual property owners listing properties on the Internet or local newspapers and magazines as well as signs posted at restaurants, cafes and bars near the vicinity where the rentals are situated. Some developers rent out their units or rent out units on behalf of owners: check with local developers or a local realty agent for details and further information.

Healthcare in Mazatlan

In addition to Mexico’s state sponsored healthcare provided via the country’s national health service IMSS, good quality healthcare services offered through private clinics with US-standard healthcare services exist in Mazatlán. The privately run out-patient clinics available locally are ideal for day-to-day ailments, sprains, broken bones and other health matters which would normally be diagnosed and treated by a General Practitioner of medicine.

Local Climate in Mazatlan

Mazatlan enjoys a yearly average temperature of 81F/24C. Winter months can be cooler and drop to 65F/15C at night; summer months may reach highs of 90F/30C in July and August especially.

Winter Climate:

January through March are the coolest months. Temperatures can range from 55F/12C to 79F/24C in the day.

Spring Climate:

April through June – springtime – are warmer months in Mazatlan with temperatures ranging from 60F/14C overnight to 88F/29C in the daytime.

Summer Climate:

July through September are the hottest months, with temperature ranging from 75F/21C overnight, to 95F/32C in the daytime. Temperatures and humidity reach their peak in mid-July and August.

Autumn Climate:

Temperatures moderate again starting late September, any humidity disappears and the hot, sometimes humid, daytime temperatures climb down from their summer highs. Temperatures in the autumn months range from 59F/13C overnight to 88F/27C in the daytime.

Rainy Season:

Mazatlan’s rainy season runs from June to October, with most of the rain falling in July and August. Torrential afternoon rains may be experienced several days a week and, in the peak temperature months of July, August and September tropical storms may feature, too.

Hurricanes:

Hurricanes can affect Mazatlan, although the Baja peninsula can shelter this port city from the worst of Pacific hurricanes.

Sea Temperature in Mazatlan

During the peak summer months of July and August, sea temperatures may reach as high as 80F/23C; in other months, the sea temperature will average around 65F/18C.

Practical Information About Living in Mazatlan

This section contains links to guides where you can learn more about living in Mazatlan.

Accessibility / Transport

Getting Around Mazatlan

Getting Around

Communications

Guide to Money in Mexico | Banks & Banking in Mexico

Money and Banking

Practical Matters

Auto Insurance in Mexico

Safety in Mexico

Key Attractions

Travel Guide to Mazatlan

The post Living, Working and Retirement in Mazatlán first appeared on Mexperience.

Living, Working and Retirement in Playa del Carmen

Mexperience — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 17:44:58 +0000

Research and assess Playa del Carmen as a location for living, working or retirement in Mexico.

Playa del Carmen as a Place for Living and Retirement

The Mexican Caribbean beach town of Playa del Carmen is located on the Yucatan peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo. Once a small fishing village, Playa (as it’s more often referred to) is now the second largest Mexican resort destination after Cancun. It is also the fastest growing city in all of Mexico — having surpassed Puerto Vallarta experienced an enormous influx of people during the late 90’s and early 20’s.

Playa del Carmen At-a-Glance:

Location Type

Guide to Playa del Carmen

Population

100,000 (2005 Census) – and is, according to official figures, the fastest growing city in Mexico

Altitude

Approximately 45 feet above sea-level

Time Zone

Central Time

High/Low Temperatures

68F/20C (Nocturnal, Winter), 88F/31C (Daytime, Summer).
Year-Round Average 80F/27C

Rainy Season?

Playa del Carmen’s rainy season runs from late May to October each year, with tropical storms, and on occasions hurricanes, occurring here especially in the late summer months

Hurricanes?

Playa del Carmen is subject to Hurricanes from the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean

Local Economy:

Tourism, Fishing and, (of late) economic activities related to lifestyle and real estate

Expat Penetration

Moderate-High*

Cost of Living

Moderate-Higher*

Travel Guide

*Relative to other foreign expat communities in Mexico

Playa del Carmen is part of the Riviera Maya — the stretch of beach-facing land between Cancun and Tulum. This resort town is, and always has been, more ‘down to earth’ and authentically Mexican compared to trendy, commercial and high-rise Cancun situated thirty miles north of here.

Its central location at the heart of the Mayan Riviera makes it a favorite for travelers, tourists and certain types of expatriates who are seeking the warm, laid-back lifestyle accentuated by pristine white-sand beaches and year-round warm turquoise waters for swimming, diving and snorkeling coupled with a multi-national, multi-ethnic and artsy atmosphere. Playa attracts visitors and expatriates from a more diverse range of geographical locations than Cancun: Playa has a more rustic, more toned-down approach to tourism and, for foreign residents, it offers a ‘more Mexican’ feel and atmosphere, whereas Cancun is more about package vacations, mall shopping and all-night-parties.

A fun and lively beach culture has sprouted up around Playa del Carmen that demonstrates the diverse blend of interests which become attracted to these shores. The expat community is equally diverse, with a particularly strong European following; and if you live here, you’ll become comfortable intermingling with multiple nationalities and the crucible of cultures and languages thrives within the sphere of a Mexican resort town that has moved far away from its fishing village roots.

Excellent Transport Links

Playa del Carmen is the main port for ferries connecting the Yucatan peninsula to Cozumel, the largest island off Playa’s coast and one of the world’s best scuba diving hot spots. Playa is also well connected by means of a modern highway to Cancun’s international airport (less than an hour away); and a small international airport on the Island of Cozumel. Plans are also afoot to build an international airport in Tulum, just a few minutes away from Playa del Carmen, to serve the Riviera Maya ‘corridor’ and take pressure off Cancun’s airport system, which is the second busiest airport in the country, after Mexico City. When completed, the mix of roads, airports and ferries will make the Riviera Maya one of the best connected regions in all of Mexico.

Cozy Beach side Living in Playa del Carmen

Although Playa has undergone a faster pace of development than any other place in Mexico over the past decade, the local authorities have taken care to retain the characteristics and atmosphere which attracted people here in the first place. For example, by city ordinance, new buildings cannot rise more than three stories in height. From the time Playa was a small quaint town with few developments and a tony populace, the local authorities were certain that they did not want to create “another Cancun” here and, even today, continue to make great efforts to ensure that the high-rise commercialization of Cancun stays thirty miles north of here.

The principal boulevard, Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue, and referred to by locals as simply “La Quinta”) is where a collection of boutique shops, bars, cafes and restaurants coalesce and make for an entertaining stroll as well as modern-day shopping and leisure experiences in a pleasant, outdoor setting.

Commercial retail centers have also been growing to accommodate the retiree/expat communities that have been moving in over recent years, as well as middle-class and affluent Mexicans who have become used to U.S.-style shopping facilities in other bigger towns and cities across Mexico. Today, you can find big name supermarkets including Wal-mart, Soriana, Chedraui, Sam’s Club and CostCo as well as brand-name department stores like Liverpool.

Actively Relaxing Experience

This location is synonymous with relaxation and diversion and, as one of Mexico’s premiere resort towns, both may be enjoyed in equal measures at Playa del Carmen.

For relaxing: walks along the beach, shopping, spas and massages, and simply taking time to enjoy the relaxed way of life that emanates in this part of the world; watching sunrises and sunsets, listening to a cacophony of wild birdsong, or letting the waves brush gently against your feet as you stroll along one of the many white sand beaches. The peak tourism season runs from November through to March. At other times of year, the beaches are quieter and you can enjoy the natural beauty of the coast without the significant influx of seasonal vacationers.

To exercise and engage with a more active lifestyle, tennis and golfing are easily accessible from here. Outdoor activities include first-class scuba and snorkeling (including some some of the finest SCUBA diving in the world, just across the water in Cozumel), sports fishing, sea kayaking and a plethora of other water-based activities including wind-surfing, sailing, and swimming — all amidst the crystal turquoise waters of Mexico’s Caribbean Sea.

On land activities include yoga, salsa lessons and Spanish language lessons. For day and weekend trips, Playa serves as as the ideal base for a compelling choice of adventures including exploration of Mayan ruins in Coba, Tulum, Chichen Itza and beyond; taking in the flora and fauna in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere and Nature Preserve; taking part in an assortment of eco and adventure tours; snorkeling in crystal clear fresh waters, tubing down natural water outlets to the Caribbean sea and swimming with dolphins.

Cost of Living

Playa offers residents a slightly lower cost of living than other major Mexican resort towns; for example, in comparison to Cancun and Los Cabos. The cost of living is always slightly higher in popular resort towns than in resort towns which are off the beaten track: although the higher costs are compensated with facilities such as better transport connections and more choice in terms of retail and medical services.

Property prices have soared in recent years, but remain affordable especially in comparison to the cost of ocean-front and ocean-view property in the United States and Western Europe.

Coastal towns — and especially popular resorts like Playa del Carmen — are always more expensive to live in than colonial cities and other smaller towns ‘off the beaten track’ in Mexico. However, the higher prices reflect the added costs of getting the goods to more remote locations as well as the popularity (demand) from expats who want to live, work or retire alongside the beautiful oceanside environments like Playa del Carmen.

A Warm and Genuine Mexican Resort Town

Playa del Carmen is today one of the most popular resort towns in Mexico, but it remains an authentic Mexican town: a place where you can still find tienditas (small local stores) run independently by local families, ambulant vendors, local plumbers and carpenters advertising their services on the street, and the abundance of day-to-day life situations which are omnipresent across most of Mexico’s towns and cities and which help to put emphasis on the definition of ‘the real Mexico’.

One of the principal features which attracted people to Playa from its early days, is the way the town was able to blend the concept of ‘resort’ with the reality of ‘genuinely Mexican’. Some might argue that the ‘Old Playa’ is dead and buried, and although it’s true that a town whose population has grown from a little over a thousand to over 100,000 in the space of a decade* is going to undergo some change and transformation, it’s also fair to say that the people who live, work and retire here are genuinely warm, friendly and welcoming – and not in a superficial way. This characteristic: being able to pull off ‘the double act’ of transforming from a fishing village into a world-class resort and yet remain authentic to the location’s roots is one of Playa’s trump cards as a location — as much so for visitors and for residents.

There’s an international flair in Playa, created principally by a balanced mix of Europeans and North Americans, although people from a wide array of nationalities call this place home, part or full-time: indeed, according to the Mexican Immigration Service, over seven per cent of Playa del Carmen’s population is non-Mexican.

Most foreigners discover Playa del Carmen when they come here to vacation or as part of a living or retirement ‘scouting’ visit. An increasing number of people fall in love with the climate, the sea, the atmosphere and the food; and thus make plans — and realize those plans — to move here. Those who come to live and work often set up some kind of trade or shop; this is demonstrated by numerous foreign owned businesses operating along La Quinta as well as younger professionals moving to Mexico to work as consultants or ‘knowledge workers’.

For retirees seeking a tropical paradise for part or full-time retirement in Mexico, Playa del Carmen: part hippy, part artsy, part chic, part traditional and unmistakably Mexican, combines these many and varied characteristics to form a unique and beautiful location for retirement living in Mexico.

* Data from Mexico’s National Office of Statistics, INEGI.

Cost of Living in Playa del Carmen

The cost of living in Mexico is typically lower in Mexico than it is the USA, Canada and Western Europe, although precise costs depend upon where you live and your lifestyle choices.

Cost of Living Report

To learn more about the cost of living in Mexico, connect to the Mexico Cost of Living page on Mexperience.

Regional and geographical cost variations do exist, and this part of the guide shows you how some goods and services at Playa del Carmen vary from the average.

Blog Articles:

Money, Banking & Finance | Mexican Economy

Real Estate in Playa del Carmen

Information about the real estate market in Playa del Carmen

Real Estate Market in Playa del Carmen

The ‘real estate bargains’ that were available here a decade or more ago are long gone, but property prices remain affordable in comparison to beach-front or beach-side property in places like the U.S.A. and Western Europe.

Playa offers a wide variety of property types to choose from. Realty developers have entered the market in earnest and this, coupled with other smaller as well as private investment projects has produced a local realty market that serves a broad range of interests and budgets including modest condos and casitas (little houses) mid range and luxury condos, apartments, suburban town homes as well as super luxurious properties on the beach or overlooking the sea.

The real estate market in Playa continues to experience ongoing and brisk development driven by rising investment in the region, and there are also plans to expand development of the town inland, past current limits, to include the other side of Highway 307, the main highway connecting Playa with Cancun and the rest of the Yucatan.

It’s particularly important to visit Playa before you decide where to purchase, as the local marketing makes potential buyers believe that somehow all residences here may be found “a ten-minute walk” from the beach or La Quinta.

The area of known as Playacar (distinct from Playa) is the premier residential and tourist development where most of the all-inclusive hotels, golf courses and a U.S. shopping mall are located. Playacar also has condos and villas for sale in within upscale, gated developments.

Prices of realty in Playa del Carmen, as in all Mexican resort towns, have risen considerably over the last decade, although they still remain at very affordable levels when compared to ocean-side realty prices in the U.S. and Western Europe. The financial ‘credit crunch’ has tempered market activity and this is beginning to influence some prices, especially of properties whose owners had come to adopt unrealistic expectations of their value.

Prices for very desirable real estate situated on plots of land which are by nature limited (e.g. on the beach) continue to hold, or at least the price tags haven’t changed much, keeping in mind that price is negotiable. For example, for properties overlooking the ocean or very close to it. However, the tear-away price rises of recent years are yielding and to a more stable price market.

Playa del Carmen is one of the principal areas where Mexican time-share projects are sold, due to the massive draw of tourists and foreign visitors seeking to vacation in this region each year (note that time share is not ownership). Private residences (mostly re-sales) are available in the town center of Playa del Carmen as well as out-of-town, where some expat investors are buying homes offering semi-rural surroundings, away from the town proper, but close enough for easy road access to the beach, local shops and amenities.

Rentals Market in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen has an abundance of rental properties on the market all year long. Most rental properties in Playa del Carmen are offered through local realty agents or directly by individual property owners listing properties on the Internet or local newspapers and magazines as well as signs posted at restaurants, cafes and bars near the vicinity where the rentals are situated. Some developers rent out their units or rent out units on behalf of absentee owners who only occupy the property part-time: check with local developers or a local realty agent for details and further information.

Healthcare in Playa del Carmen

In addition to Mexico’s state sponsored healthcare provided via the country’s national health service IMSS, good quality healthcare services offered through private clinics with US -standard healthcare services exist in Playa del Carmen. The privately-run out patient clinics available locally are ideal for day-to-day ailments, sprains, broken bones and other health matters which would normally be diagnosed and treated by a General Practitioner of medicine.

Local Climate in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is hot and humid with dry and wet (rainy) seasons. The annual average temperature is around 80F/26C. Humidity levels are very high all year long; often exceeding ninety per cent. The rainy season runs from May to October each year. Sea breezes bring cooling winds which help to make the location feel cooler, fresher and less aggressively humid than towns and cities located away from the coast.

Winter Climate:

November to January are the coolest months with average temperatures ranging from 81F/27C during the day and 68F/20C overnight. The “high” season for tourists and part-time residents begins in November each year.

Spring Climate:

February thru early May offers a beautiful spring-like climate with very little rain. Temperatures begin to increase from April, with average temperatures ranging from 84F/28C during the day and 71F/21C overnight.

Summer Climate:

June through September are the hottest months, with temperatures ranging from 75F/23C overnight, to 95F/35C in the daytime. The rainy season begins between mid and late May and will last through to October. Hurricanes may occur anytime during the hot summer months but are most likely during July, August and September. Temperatures and humidity reach their peak from mid-July to the end of August.

Autumn Climate:

The temperature begins to moderate again in October. Mid and late autumn brings cooler temperatures with averages ranging from 87F/30C during the day to 73F/22C overnight.

Rainy Season:

Playa del Carmen’s rainy season runs from May to October, with most of the rain falling in July and August. Torrential afternoon rains may be experienced several days a week and, in the peak temperature months of July, August and September tropical storms and hurricanes may feature, too.

Hurricanes:

Hurricanes can affect Playa del Carmen at any time during the summer, although they are most frequently experienced here during the peak summer months, especially mid-July through September. The last major hurricane to land on Playa was Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

Sea Temperature in Playa del Carmen

The average sea temperature in the region is 80F/26C. Sea temperatures rise higher in the summer months, and dip slightly November through February.

Practical Information About Living in Playa del Carmen

This section contains links to guides where you can learn more about living in Playa del Carmen.

Accessibility / Transport

Getting Around Playa del Carmen

Getting Around

Communications

Guide to Money in Mexico | Banks & Banking in Mexico

Money and Banking

Practical Matters

Auto Insurance in Mexico

Safety in Mexico

Travel Guide to Playa del Carmen

Key Attractions

The post Living, Working and Retirement in Playa del Carmen first appeared on Mexperience.

Living, Working, and Retirement in Manzanillo

Mexperience — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 17:45:05 +0000

Research and assess Manzanillo as a location for living, working or retirement in Mexico

The port town of Manzanillo is situated onLiving places the Pacific coast of Mexico, about a four hour drive from Guadalajara and a five hour drive from Puerto Vallarta.

Living in Manzanillo

This authentic Mexican resort town has two principal areas: the resort bays either side of the Santiago peninsula, and the busy commercial area downtown, on the southside. Although Manzanillo is a busy and important port town on Mexico’s west coast, it still retains a tranquil, laid back atmosphere with an authentic Mexican feel about it.

Manzanillo at-a-Glance:

Location Type: Beach/Coastal

Population: c.160,000 (2020 Census)

Elevation: 20 meters (30 feet) above sea-level

Time zone: Manzanillo is on Mountain Time

Annual temperatures: 69F/21C (Nocturnal, Winter), 89F/32C (Daytime, Summer).
See temperatures in Manzanillo by month (Google)

Rainy season: Manzanillo rainy season runs from late May to October each year, with tropical storms, and on occasions hurricanes, landing here especially in late summer

Hurricanes: Manzanillo is subject to Hurricanes from the Pacific Ocean

Local economy: Commercial sea port, fishing; naval base, tourism

Foreign resident prevalence: Low*

Cost of living: Lower.* See the cost of living section of this guide for details.

Manzanillo on the map:
Discover Manzanillo on the map (Google Maps)

Travel guide: Guide to Manzanillo

*Relative to other foreign expat communities in Mexico

Discovering Manzanillo

Manzanillo is situated on the Pacific coast in Mexico’s state of Colima. It’s a 90-minute drive to the state’s capital, Colima city, and about a five-hour drive north to Puerto Vallarta; or a four hour drive east to reach Mexico’s second largest city—Guadalajara.

Although it’s a resort town, particularly popular with Mexican vacationers, Manzanillo doesn’t have the commercial feel of the country’s popular resorts and instead offers a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere that, similar to Mazatlán further north, exudes an authentic Mexican feel about it.

The historic downtown area is also the focal point for the town’s principal economic engine: it’s sea port. As you travel north, you begin to discover the resort areas and main shopping and social attractions located along the two principal bays that are separated by the Santiago peninsula—host to one of the most famous resorts of the town as well as some residential developments.

As you continue to travel northwest, past the Santiago peninsula, you’ll discover several pleasant beaches and reach the Club Santiago area and nearby Juluapan peninsula, that demarks the northern reaches of Manzanillo. Take a look at the map for perspective.

Manzanillo is accessible via highway 200, the scenic highway that hugs much of Mexico’s Pacific coast from Chacala (near Sayulita) in the state of Nayarit, to Salina Cruz in the southern state of Oaxaca. Three mountain highways connect Manzanillo to the state’s capital, Colima (about a 90-minute drive), and highway 98 crosses the mountains inland to Mexico’s second largest city, Guadalajara. There’s an airport in Manzanillo about 25 miles north of the historic downtown district that offers flights to Mexico City and various US and Canadian cities (most international lights are operated during the high season only). Check FlightConnections.com for current routes.

Attractive alternative to Mexico’s popular resorts

Manzanillo is not a one of Mexico’s better-known destinations; most of the tourism is domestic or from seasonal visitors in the US; neither is it well known as a place where foreign residents live—and that is one of its key attractions for people seeking places off the well-beaten track.

The climate here is similar to Puerto Vallarta’s: comfortably warm in the fall and winter, increasingly hot and sultry during the spring and summer. Manzanillo’s foreign resident population increases in the winter and falls in the summer, like many other coastal towns and cities. For those who enjoy year-round warmth and don’t mind the summer heat (air conditioning is essential in the high summer months) Manzanillo offers great value at a location that retains a genuine Mexican feel and atmosphere.

The town’s shops and amenities provide adequate coverage for most people’s everyday living needs, with several large stores and supermarkets situated in town. Colima city, the state capital, is about a 90-minute drive away and where residents in Manzanillo repair to when they need bigger stores or more services.

When you’re looking for somewhere quaint and tranquil to live by the coast and that doesn’t have the higher costs and concentration of foreign residents that now popular places like Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and Riviera Maya have, consider Manzanillo.

Cost of Living in Manzanillo

The cost of living in Mexico is typically lower in Mexico than it is the USA, Canada and Western Europe, although precise costs depend upon where you live and your lifestyle choices.

Living or retiring in Manzanillo is affordable; property prices are among the most affordable on Mexico’s Pacific coast and while house prices have risen across the board in recent years, you can still find property across a range of prices in this area—from small and comfortable family homes, to marge mansion houses offering commanding views of the ocean and surrounding area.

Local shops, stores and prices in Manzanillo are generally lower than popular beach resorts in Mexico and smaller budgets stretch further here, especially when you learn to shop locally at the small markets, in the small town of Santiago, for example.

Further insight about living costs in Mexico

Connect to resources about the cost of living:

To learn more about the cost of living in Mexico, download our free Mexico Cost of Living guide from the eBooks Library here on Mexperience.
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Real Estate in Manzanillo

Manzanillo offers an ample range of property types, from small comfortable casitas to large mansion homes set atop the hillside offering commanding views of the ocean and surrounding areas.

There are four principal areas where foreign residents typically buy or rent homes in Manzanillo:

the Las Brisas area, north of the historic center and the naval docks;
the Santiago peninsula, host to Las Hadas residential area as well as a highly exclusive residential area known as La Punta;
Club Santiago, situated on north-western edge of Manzanillo near a country club; and
the Juluapan peninsula which also hosts the Santiago marina.

The Santiago peninsula is a popular area for living in Manzanillo as it’s the closest to most of the shops and amenities, the Las Hadas golf course is nearby, and it’s the center point between the northern limits of Manzanillo (where the airport is situated) and the historic downtown district which leads to highways out of town connecting Manzanillo to the cities of Colima and Guadalajara.

Smaller properties can be purchased from around US$100,000; and property rentals start from around 6,000 Mexican pesos (US$300) per month; home in the more popular areas with foreign residents rent from 10,000 (US$500) pesos a month.

Meet our real estate partner in Manzanillo, Candy King Real Estate

Candy King Real Estate is a long-established realty agency in the area that offers discovery visits and an experienced and professional bilingual team that can help you find your home in Manzanillo.

Learn more about real estate in Mexico

Mexperience offers lots of local insight about property in Mexico:

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Healthcare services in Manzanillo

The privately run out-patient clinics available locally are ideal for day-to-day ailments, sprains, broken bones and other health matters which would normally be diagnosed and treated by a General Practitioner of medicine.

Doctors: Manzanillo is well served by doctors on call, many of whom speak Spanish and English. They can refer you to local (private) clinics, specialists and hospitals.

Dentists: There are plenty of dentists to choose from; ask locally for a recommendation.

Opticians: There are several optometrists available offering eye tests, treatments and some also offer laser surgery. Ask locally for details.

The city of Colima (about a 90-minute drive away) and the city of Guadalajara (four hour drive) offer additional medical services and healthcare specialists.

Learn more about healthcare in Mexico

You may find these resources on Mexperience helpful:

Local climate in Manzanillo

Manzanillo enjoys a yearly average temperature of around 84F/28C. There is no significant fluctuation in temperature between winter and summer, although winter months feel cooler and are much less humid.

Further insights about weather and climate:

Manzanillo essentials

Connect to practical information and gain insights about living and lifestyle in Manzanillo and Mexico

Manzanillo articles and guides

Connect to more articles and guides about Manzanillo here on Mexperience

Manzanillo airport

Manzanillo is served Playa de Oro international airport (ZLO) situated about 30 miles (50 minute road trip) north from the historic downtown district.
Check FlightConnections.com for current routes.

Manzanillo essentials

Connect to the Manzanillo Essentials section on our travel guide

Manzanillo map

Explore Manzanillo on Google maps

Getting around Mexico

Travel Guide to San Felipe

Communications in Mexico

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Learn about money management and banking in Mexico

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The post Living, Working, and Retirement in Manzanillo first appeared on Mexperience.

Living, Working and Retirement in San Felipe

Mexperience — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 17:44:07 +0000

Research and assess San Felipe as a location for living, working or retirement in Mexico.

Living in San Felipe

Not long ago, San Felipe was a sleepy fishing town. Today, it’s host to one of Mexico’s retirement communities.

San Felipe At-a-Glance:

Location Type

Beach/Desert

Population

15,000 (2005 Census). The local population can increase by up to 40% in the winter months.

Altitude

9 feet above sea-level

Time Zone

Pacific Time

High/Low Temperatures

38F (Nocturnal, Winter), 95F (Daytime, Summer). Year-Round Average 78F.

Rainy Season?

San Felipe does not experience a monsoon rains season; most rainfall takes place in late August and September

Hurricanes?

San Felipe is sometimes subject to adverse weather arising from Pacific hurricanes.

Local Economy:

Principally fishing (Shrimp Fishing) and tourism.

Expat Penetration

Moderate*

Cost of Living*

Moderate (About Average)

Travel Guide

Safe in San Felipe

Latest Mexico Safety Updates

*Relative to other foreign expat communities in Mexico

San Felipe is situated on Mexico’s Baja peninsula, about a two-hour road drive (125 miles) south of Mexicali on the U.S.-Mexico Border. The town’s proximity to the U.S.A. is one of the prime features which attracts foreigners, and particularly Americans, to consider the town as a place for part-time or full-time living and retirement.

The Baja Peninsula is divided into two states: Baja California, and Baja California Sur, and is a socially and politically unique region of Mexico. There exists a considerable amount of U.S. influence here and the peninsula is becoming autonomous in many ways to the rest of Mexico, albeit the land and the local people who inhabit it continue to exude Mexican culture and values.

The Baja peninsula offers a diverse range of options for people who want to live retire and even work in Mexico. For example, Los Cabos offers top-level amenities and local services; however, if you want to live more simply, there are alternative spaces, like those in and around San Felipe, offering land parcels ideal for the construction of eco-homes in Mexico.

The peninsula offers good transport links by road, air and ferry. People who own their own boats also find the many ports and marinas make the peninsula easily accessible.

With the advent of developments in San Felipe and some other notable towns in the northern reaches of the peninsula including Rosarito Beach, Ensenada and San Quintin, the north of the peninsula has taken on a new life: the inward investment is bringing new, modern, infrastructure, amenities and services to areas which, like the southern area of the peninsula, were once sleepy villages and this investment is opening up opportunities for foreigners who are looking for comfortable, affordable and well-connected locations to retire to in Mexico.

San Felipe has moved beyond the “fishing village” status it once had and is now regularly frequented by foreign visitors as well as expats who make this place their home part-time or full-time. Choosing San Felipe as a place to live or retire means that you will arrive with a number of retirement communities already established, infrastructure, amenities and services already in place, and the location still offering plenty of space for future growth: both in terms of community development and longer term investment.

Affordable Living

Affordability is another factor. The Baja peninsula is organized into two Mexican states: Baja California and Baja California Sur. The southern reaches of the peninsula, and particularly Los Cabos (‘the capes’, comprising of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas) have experienced a two-decade long boom, attracting an influx of foreign investors and retirees. This has driven up prices in the south, whereas in the north (Baja California), development has been hitherto subdued in comparison; the penetration of expats has been lower and so market prices match that lower demand.

Eco Homes

San Felipe is also emerging as one of the world’s premier locations for people who want to buy land and develop an Eco (or Energy Efficient) Home in Mexico. Technologies that enable home owners to be self-contained in terms of heat, light, water and sewerage have experienced a massive leap in recent years. San Felipe offers parcels of land which are extremely affordable and ideally situated for the construction of an Eco Home. You can get detailed information about Eco Homes in Mexico on Mexperience.

Seaside and Desert Living

Waterside lands with permission to build residential dwelling houses and homes overlooking the sea have become almost unaffordable for most people in places like the U.S.A., Canada and Western Europe.

People who harbor dreams of living near or alongside the sea find that San Felipe is still affordable and, if where plans exist to create an Eco Home, lands set aside for that purpose can be secured for less than U.S.$20,000 per plot.

The region’s desert climate, with winter temperatures (Dec-Mar) averaging in the mid 60’s F, spring temperatures (Apr-Jun) rising to averages in the late 70’s F, and summer temperatures (July-Sep) reaching as high as the mid 90’s F, San Felipe offers an attractive year-long climate for living and retirement.

Cost of Living in San Felipe

The cost of living in Mexico is typically lower in Mexico than it is the USA, Canada and Western Europe, although precise costs depend upon where you live and your lifestyle choices.

Cost of Living Report

To learn more about the cost of living in Mexico, connect to the Mexico Cost of Living page on Mexperience.

Regional and geographical cost variations do exist, and this part of the guide shows you how some goods and services at San Felipe vary from the average.

Blog Articles:

Getting Around San Felipe

Real Estate in San Felipe

The real estate market, like many others across Mexico, surged between the late 1990’s and 2007. Recent market conditions have caused price rises to stall, which is now creating an investment opportunity for people who want to make a long term commitment to the area.

Price rises, although significant, did not climb so high as to make San Felipe unaffordable, and the low cost of land reserved for the construction of eco-homes, proffers a unique opportunity for people seeking to create an energy efficient “off the grid” home in Mexico.

Real Estate Market in San Felipe

With FONATUR’s multi-million dollar investment combined with the close location to the U.S.A., San Felipe has emerged from its status as a sleepy fishing village to a thriving community whose main economy is now tourism, retirement communities, and real estate.

During the early 2000’s a real estate boom occurred and now a number of developments can be found along the coast beginning in the north end of town, through the town of San Felipe proper, and extending south of town.

Most real estate is sold directly through the developers although there are a couple of real estate agencies in town marketing individual properties. Real estate types range from beachfront homes, lots, and condos. Residences are available in the town of San Felipe as well as out-of-town, where investors are buying desert homes offering tranquil surroundings and sea and mountain views. While prices have escalated there has been a modest price correction recently.

San Felipe is also a location for people who want to build and live in Eco and Energy Efficient Homes in Mexico; plots of land which are ‘off the grid’ may be acquired at very low prices.

Rentals Market in San Felipe

Most rental properties in San Felipe are offered through developers or by individual property owners listing properties on the Internet. Although there are a few expatriates marketing rental services there does not exist a reliable rental agency at this time.

Health and Healthcare in San Felipe

Good quality basic healthcare services, as well as a small clinic offering U.S.-standard healthcare services exists in San Felipe. In addition to Mexico’s state sponsored healthcare provided via the country’s national health service IMSS, good quality healthcare services offered through private clinics with US -standard healthcare services exist in San Felipe and in nearby Mexicali and a little further away in Tijuana. The privately-run out patient clinics available locally are ideal for day-to-day ailments, sprains, broken bones and other health matters which would normally be diagnosed and treated by a General Practitioner of medicine.

Local Climate in San Felipe

San Felipe enjoys a yearly average temperature of 78F/24C. Winter months can be cooler and drop to 38F/4C at night; summer months may reach highs of 95F/32C.

Winter Climate:

November through February are the coolest months. Temperatures can range from 38F/4C to 70F/19C in the day.

Spring Climate:

March through May – springtime – are warm months in San Felipe with temperatures ranging from 50F/10C overnight to 80F/25C in the daytime.

Summer Climate:

June through August are the hottest months, with temperature ranging from 60F/15C overnight, to 95F/32C in the daytime. Temperatures reach their peak in mid-July and August; this is a time when many local residents leave the area to go traveling and retirees leave to visit families back home; returning in mid September as the climates further north begin to turn cool or cold, and temperatures in San Felipe begin to moderate.

Autumn Climate:

Temperatures moderate again starting in mid September through November, returning to similar levels as those experienced in the springtime ranging from 50F/10C overnight to 80F/25C in the daytime.

Rainy Season:

San Felipe does not experience a “rainy season”, although it does get a good deal of rainfall in late August and September, when hurricanes from the Pacific can cause adverse weather conditions across the Baja peninsula.

Hurricanes:

As San Felipe is on the Sea of Cortez, it is rarely directly affected by hurricanes, which brew in the Pacific, and lose strength as they cross land. However, hurricanes can affect the general weather here, causing heavy rain, overcast skies and winds.

Sea Temperature in San Felipe

During the peak summer months of July and August, sea temperatures reach as high as 80F/23C; in other months, the sea temperature will average around 50F/9C.

Practical Information About Living in San Felipe

This section contains links to guides where you can learn more about living in San Felipe.

Accessibility / Transport

Getting Around

Communications

Guide to Money in Mexico | Banks & Banking in Mexico

Money and Banking

Practical Matters

Auto Insurance in Mexico

Safety in Mexico