Another Reason to Retire in Mexico!

If you've considered retiring to Mexico, you now have another good reason-foreigners who hold a valid residence visa for Mexico can now take part in Mexico's senior citizens' benefits program.The program, for adults aged 60 and over, offers discounts on a wide range of services. These include discounts on health-related services (hospitals, doctors' visits, lab tests, medical devices, pharmacies, and dental work); cultural activities like theater tickets and entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites; travel-related costs, including airline tickets, buses, car rentals and purchase, and hotel accommodation.

Discounts can range up to 50% off the full price of the good or service. Non-Mexicans who wish to take part in the program must go to a local office of INAPAM (Instituto Nacional de las Personas Adultas Mayores) to request a membership card. See: http://www.inapam.gob.mx/DirecINAPAM07.pdf for more information (in Spanish).

This and other information on why Mexico tops the list of worldwide retirement havens is found at The world's top retirement havens in 2007.

A Treasure in Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos is the entrance to the Mayan Riviera. Located about 15 minutes south of Cancún, it's still a sleepy fishing village with a bohemian feel. I can describe it best by saying it runs about 2 miles along the beach and it's about 4 streets deep. It's the kind of place that has resisted major development. I can find no fault with its nickname "La joya del Caribe", the jewel of the Caribbean.

The town square is dotted with little shops and restaurants. There is a Wednesday Farmer's Market. In the early afternoons you can purchase freshly caught fish when the boats come in. My favorite restaurant on the beach is Pelícanos. It is a huge Palapa right on the edge of the sand. Nothing fancy.....very typical right down to the plastic Corona chairs. The wait staff is accommodating and friendly and the food comes on enormous platters for all to share. I make it a point to dine there at sunset every time I am in the area.

Puerto Morelos Coral Reefs National Park offers exquisite diving and snorkeling. For $25.00 per person you have a snorkeling tour on a boat with a guide and all the gear you will need to snorkel over two of the finest reefs in the Caribbean. Local dive shops offer a variety of certification courses and excursions to the Palancar Reef, the 2nd largest in the world.

Having a vacation home in such an idyllic place just 15 minutes from an international airport would be a dream, wouldn't it? I want to tell you about Residencial Bucaneros. These three-bedroom villas area mix of Spanish & Mexican architecture and are a five minute walk from the beach.

The patterned concrete streets are landscaped and lighted and the kitchens include marble counter tops and major appliances. Utility and phone lines are underground and villas and apartments include ceramic tile floors and air conditioning. There is a community pool, children's pool, gym, green areas and playgrounds for children and 24 hour security. It's a VERY safe place but security is always a nice addition especially if the residence will not be occupied 100% of the time. For golf afficionados there is a 40% discount on local golf courses just a few minutes away.

The villas at Residencial Bucaneros start at $250,000.USD. With 30% down financing is available. Apartments start at the very modest price of $115,000.USD.

If you are interested in exploring the possibility of having a primary or vacation residence in La joya del Caribe, Puerto Morelos, contact me at 570-592-8378 or email me at karla@firstinvestmentrealestate.com.

Until then, I'm off to dream of a huge plate of Arroz con Platanos Maduros Fritos at Pelícanos!

~Karla