Puerto Vallarta Beaches will Host Beach Volleyball Tournament for PanAmerican Games

During the Pan American Games being held in Guadalajara, Mexico this October 2011, Puerto Vallarta's stunning beaches will hold a volleyball tournament this October 16-22.

In a newly-built Pan American Beach Volleyball Stadium created solely for the tournament, will host Mexico, who finished fifth last year at the Rio de Janeiro tournament, as well as Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, United States, Argentina, El Salvador, Puerto Rico and Nicaragua.

Riviera Maya Jazz Festival Takes Place this Fall

This November 24-26, the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival 2011 will be taking place in Mexico. Leading musicians such as Jeff Lorber, Alex Ataola, Jon Anderson and Natalia Lafourcade will be playing at the 4th annual Riviera Maya Jazz Festival. In addition to these jazz legends and up and coming stars, the legendary band The Yellow Jackets (video above) will also be performing from their new album at the festival.

Durango-Mazatlan Highway

Puente Baluarte or The Baluarte Bridge

Did you know that the Durango-Mazatlan highway is one of the most important and ambitious road projects of President Felipe Calderón’s administration? The Durango-Mazatlan highway, a project that will change the economic life among the northern states of the country, is a piece of infrastructure that has created more than 60 tunnels and over 115 bridges along the road. The Durango highway is one of the most sophisticated and complicated to have been built in the history of Mexico by the orography that it must cross and plans are to open it at the end of 2012. The Baluarte Bridge (El Puente Baluarte) is a well-known part of the project, and is a cable-stayed bridge. It is located over the border between the states of Sinaloa and Durango, along the Durango-Mazatlan highway and will be one of the main attractions for those interested in viewing the new, sophisticated Durango-Mazatlan highway.

North American Expats Talk About Why They Love Mazatlán

Have you ever been to Mazatlan? If so, I'd love to hear about it.

History of Mazatlan's Carnival Festivities

This February 16 to 21, 2012, Mazatlan will celebrate it's 114th edition of what is sure to be the best carnival to date.

The modern conception of "Carnaval" is historically traced to the public street celebrations of over a century ago, which in turn were based on the purifying seasonal rituals dating to antiquity. These early celebrations featured participants adorned in colored eggshells and scented flour and ashes, which reflected a transition from the humoristic mood to that of the grotesque. The Carnival's spirit marked a brief moment when the rules were relaxed and transgressions were forgiven. Towards the end of the Nineteenth Century, the festival took a sociopolitical turn. The most popular form of Carnaval was organized by the military and celebrated in May of each year, to commemorate the victory of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza over the French army in Puebla.

Mazatlán International Carnival Parade 2011

The state of Sinaloa, Mazatlan is one of the best places to discover Mexico's deeply rooted culture. One of its main attractions is the annual International Carnival Parade that takes place each February in Mazatlan, distinguished by being the only Carnaval in Mexico and the World that offers cultural and artistic activities in addition to its festivities.

The activities featured in Mazatlán's International Carnival 2012 will include: Official presentation of the candidates for King of Joy, Queen of the Floral Games, Queen of the Carnival, and Infant Queen; Crowning of the King and the Queens; "allegorical vehicles" (carriage floats) parade; the symbolic ritual of the "Bad Mood Burning," the Naval Battle; the Evening of the Arts; the "Anything Goes" Ball; the "Children's Ball," the International Pacific Queen Contest and the recognition of local artists and poets through the "Clemencia Isaura Award" for Poetry, "Mazatlán Award" for literature and the "Antonio López Sáenz Award" for painting.

Today is World Tourism Day

Mexico's Secretary of Tourism Gloria Guevara recently named Mazatlan, Mexico, as host of Mexico’s 2011 World Tourism Day. World Tourism Day is an annual event that has been celebrated all around the world since 1980 in hopes of increasing awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.

This year's theme is Tourism-Linking Cultures.

Mazatlan, Mexico, rich in its own culture and history, attracts tourists to Mexico all year round. Secretary Guevara explains, “Mazatlan is one of the most attractive destinations in our country. The city hosts large events such as Carnaval, it boasts great infrastructure for conventions, and is easily accessible by land and air. That is why it is one of the destinations with greatest potential.” Story continued on Mexico Today.

The Mastretta MXT: Automotive Innovation at it's Best

The production of the Mastretta MXT is the latest automotive innovation to come out of Mexico. Mastretta Cars, based in Mexico, is developing a high performance sports car called the Mastretta MXT, which is priced at $58,000.

CFO Jean-Paul Capin says that the car will be a worthy competitor of sports cars currently on the market, such as Porsches and Corvettes. At approximately half the price of these other sports cars, the Mastretta MXT is exceptionally competitive.

Cleanest Beaches in Puerto Vallarta?

Clean beaches are a top priority of Mexico’s national water agenda. In line with this fact, the beaches of Puerto Vallarta were recently honored at the Eighth National Clean Beaches Summit held in Mazatlan. Puerto Vallarta was the recipient of four Clean Beach Certificates for the local beaches of Palmares, Garza Blanca, Amapas, and...story continued on Mexico Today.

Mexico Today: La Guelaguetza

From a story by Silvia Martinez:

Not everybody knows this about me, but I love to dance. When I was a child I wanted to be a red-headed dancer. When I was 6 or 7, my family lived in Toluca, Mexico, and my mom used to take me to classes and I loved it! There was something magical about stomping my feet on the wooden floors; it was loud, it was rhythmic, it was fun! It filled me with happy feelings...story continued on Mexico Today.

Cruise Deal: Mexican Riviera Maya

Check out this phenomenal cruise that is a great deal! November 27th - 7-night starting at $419 per person on a new Carnival ship. The cruise ship is called Carnival Splendor and it leaves from Long Beach, California.

Retirement Communities Abroad: Top Pick for 2011

And the #1 Pick for Expat Communities Abroad is: Ajijic, Mexico.

Ajijic, and the area of Lake Chapala, Mexico, is a number one retirement haven abroad due to its organization and development, where the retiree can find a host of services like those at home, along with a large English-speaking community that can double as a support system abroad. According to this U.S. News report, the Lake Chapala area hosts the most developed expat community in the world. The Lake Chapala Society reports about that about 4,000 Americans and Canadians reside in Chapala proper. The Mexican government, meanwhile, estimates that nearly 20,000 expats reside full-time in the state of Jalisco, the region where Lake Chapala sits.

In other words, the path has been cut for you. "Moving here, you could slide into a way of life not dramatically different from the life you left behind in the States[...]Retiring to Ajijic, you could make a very comfortable life for yourself in a place that’s exotic, beautiful, safe, and very affordable."

Seniors and retirees who have decided to explore this route have discovered that it's possible to live comfortably on less than $50 per day (U.S. dollars), including housing, food, transportation, entertainment and hobbies. Another reason that retirement havens are so popular is because of the easily accessible, quality medical facilities that give expats a sense of ease.

Living the American Dream Abroad

Did you know that approximately 10,000 Baby Boomers will retire every day for the next 19 years?

That's a total of 69,350,000 million retirees over the span of 20 years, or what's the same: about a third of the U.S. population. As we all know, Social Security is no longer enough to sustain comfortable lifestyles in retirement and support an ever-protracting lifespan.

"The formalized U.S. retirement communities that many of our parents opted for at this point in their lives don’t exist in the countries that today offer the greatest retirement advantages and benefits." says a new U.S. News Money report.

For that reason, when retirees move abroad, some make the mistake of finding a lovely place but without a familiar support system among other foreign retirees.

“It’d be a very different experience, I think, to move as an expat into an ‘expat community,’ a place like Lake Chapala, Mexico, for example, where you’d be surrounded by other people just like you, other people who’ve already done what you’re doing and who could offer a word of advice when you needed one.”

The Durango-Mazatlán Highway

The target date has been set for the completion of the Durango-Mazatlan autopista. According to Presidente Felipe Calderon, the highway will be in working order in 2012. It will contain the largest bridge in Latin America - at over 1 km in length.

The problem with this highway has been the obstacles of the canyon (400 meters deep) and the many mountain passes that stand in its way, which will mean it will have to include dozens of smaller bridges and tunnels. In the end, the road will be very advantageous for the Mexican economy and will prove the structural capacity of Mexico. The Durango-Mazatlán highway will take you from the East coast (Tampico) all the way through to the West coast in Mazatlán.

Surreal Jungle Palace in the Heart of Las Pozas, Mexico

Follow this link to learn the story behind this beautiful and bizarre jungle architecture, constructed in Las Pozas, Mexico by a British poet, Edward James.

World Tourism Day this September 27

Tourism Secretary of Mexico Gloria Guevara recently named Mazatlan, Mexico, as host of Mexico’s 2011 World Tourism Day. World Tourism Day is celebrated on September 27 all around the world in hopes of increasing cultural awareness among the international community. I will be posting special posts on this subject for my readers. Looking forward to your feedback, thoughts, and opinions.

Mundo Maya 2012 Video

This video is a little hint of what's to come in terms of events, news and things to do in Mexico for Mundo Maya 2012. Mundo Maya 2012 aims to celebrate the Mayan indians, as well as Mayan culture, archaeology and heritage as we get closer to the famed year of 2012.

Pan American Games 2011

Aztec dancers recently performed the lighting of the Pan American Torch ceremony in Guadalajara. After the Aztec dancers performed, the torch started a 9,200-mile journey through every state in Mexico. Athletes are expected to come from 42 countries and will compete in 36 different sports this Oct. 14-30. The Pan American Games 2011 is anticipated to draw tourists to Puerto Vallarta, Ciudad Guzmán, Lagos de Moreno, and Tapalpa.

Retiring in Mexico: Lake Chapala, Mexico

Looking to enjoy 300 plus days between 70 and 85 degrees a year? Half an hour to an international airport? A large expat community where you can feel at home and speak English at ease? When it comes to Mexico retirement communities, there are few as nice as Laka Chapala, Mexico. It's a place that offers all the best to its citizens and expats. Click on the link for a sincere account of what to know before moving to Mexico, from a Canadian expat turned real estate agent living in the area.

San Miguel de Allende-Documentary on Retiring in Mexico and Moving to Mexico

Here's a fun video on Mexico expats that reveals why Americans living in Mexico chose to move to San Miguel de Allende and what their experience has been. A great watch!

Inside the Caves of Playa del Carmen: Rio Secreto

Originally known as Pool Tunich, Rio Secreto is the longest partially flooded cave in the Yucatan Peninsula and it's only a few miles from the Playa del Carmen beaches in Quintana Roo. The best part about Rio Secreto is that this century-old cave system is semi-sunken, not underwater like the majority of caves in the Yucatan Peninsula, meaning that in order to explore them you don't need prior specialized training or a special license and active seniors can participate with ease.

Rio Secreto in Playa del Carmen: Underground Wonder

Take a look at these amazing pictures I found on Bald Hiker, an amazing blog that shares beautiful pictures of world adventures. This picture is of a system of caves in the Yucatan Peninsula, near Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Rio Secreto was formed from an underground river of pure water that has been active for centuries beneath the surface.

Mexican Independence Day is Today!

From Mexico Today on Mexican Independence Day:

"What makes a great city is not what it is, but who it is. More than the ghosts of its illustrious past, a great city must also be the real and ready smile of the present, and during this week of Bicentennial festivities, Mexico City was that and more, for all the world to see." Click on Mexico Today (above) for the rest of the article on how Mexico is celebrating its Independence Day today.

Mexico Shown Through the Eyes of President Calderón

"Mexico enthusiasts take note; September 22 marks the much anticipated U.S. premiere of “Mexico: The Royal Tour,” an hour-long special to air on PBS at 8 p.m. ET. The show, which will be in English with Spanish subtitles, will take viewers on an exciting journey through scenic Mexico as they’ve never seen it before.

Hosted by Emmy Award-winning CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg, the special will showcase the natural beauty and resources of Mexico through a personal tour led by none other than country’s leader, President Calderón..." Check out the Mexico Today site for more.

Top Ten Colonial Cities to Visit in Mexico

Colonial cities can be found all over Mexico, but I wanted to share a list of the top ten colonial cities to visit in Mexico.

Particularly in the center of the country and towards the southern coast of the Yucatan peninsula, the colonial cities boast a charm that is exclusive to Mexico: colorful facades, cobble stone streets, museums, historic buildings, art and magnificent architecture intertwine to make a very special experience. Even though they look similar on the outside, you'll see that the following list of cities are entirely unique. Here is a list of top recommended picks listed in alphabetical order.

Golf in Cabo San Lucas

If you're looking for a great golf in Cabo San Lucas, you should definitely see the magnificent Cabo Real. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., a famous golf course architect, the golf course is built using a high mountain setting and spectacular views for the first six-holes, only for the course to drop dramatically back down to sea level. Renowned for innovation and expertise, the architect left no detail to chance and the Cabo Real golf course resulted in billowing greens, inventive traps, tricky terrain, and ocean winds that will test your game.

"The Corridor": Golfing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

The Corridor as it's referred to, located in between the towns of San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, has four of the best golf courses in Los Cabos, plus one private club. Here, you'll be able to enjoy beautiful beachfront that isn't overdeveloped, and that is accessible from almost any point on this stretch of highway. Although the beaches are beautiful, some of them are better than others for swimming, and Playa Costa Azul, located west of San José del Cabo is one of the best swimming beaches in The Corridor.

The 4 world-class golf courses in The Corridor are Cabo del Sol, Palmilla, Cabo Real, and the Eldorado. The Cabo del Sol Resort features the famed Ocean Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, as well as the Tom Weiskopf–designed Desert Course. The Fiesta Americana Grand is located on-site, while the Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar features lush, Mediterranean-influenced condo suites and a three-level pool.

Cabo San Lucas Retirement Communities and Golf Resorts

It's been a while since I've shared information about retirement communities and golf resorts on my blog. I just found a great golf resort and spa located in Cabo San Lucas called "Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort and Spa," an all-suite resort with a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The hotel boasts an old-world hacienda style that features distinctive Mexican decor. Accompanying the panoramic views of the ocean are the beautifully decorated suites that complement the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. The best part is that this resort hotel has activities and entertainment for guests of all ages, including the Explorer's Club for children. Sounds like a perfect family vacation with the grandkids.

Snapshot of Today's Baby Boomers

U.S. Census data reveals that even today, a large segment of the U.S. population is comprised of baby boomers -- and their numbers are predicted to dominate population data in the years to come. For example, in 2030, Census data indicates that 57,793,195 U.S. citizens will be part of the boomer demographic. As I've blogged about before, baby boomers are staying active, later in life, with a high percentage of boomers still working. For instance, as per 2006 numbers, the percentage of those unemployed baby boomers was at a surprisingly low 3.3 percent and those employed had reached 74.1 percent. Out of the surveyed, only 22.4 percent reported being out of the labor force. Click here to read more on the seniors for living website.

Senior Care-Themed Books and Movies from Care.com

This is a great list of books and movies for those of us that have the responsibility of caring for our parents, wife or husband or family members. Care.com has compiled a list of great books and movies with a senior care theme. You'll find a wide range of both fiction and nonfiction books and movies that are more family-oriented and others that are more appropriate for adults. The list is great to go back to when you're stuck with nothing to do, on a rainy day, or to enrich your family's selection of nighttime, naptime or entertainment books. I'd love to hear your feedback on which are your favorite!!

Project Breakaway Cruise ships from Norwegian Cruise Lines

In order to make it's cruise ships more fashionable, Norwegian Cruise Lines or NCL recently ran a contest to solicit naming ideas for its newest ships, a pair of 4,000-passenger twins due in April 2013 and April 2014. The winners are Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway

"We felt Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway epitomized both our Freestyle Cruising philosophy and our belief that these ships will offer a true respite, whisking our guests away from their everyday routines and delivering the ultimate cruise vacation," said NCL CEO Kevin Sheehan in a media statement.

North American Tourism and Retirement in Mexico Remain Strong

The publication Frontera NorteSur recently reported that the American Association of Retired Persons’ top retirement destination for 2010 was Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta is anticipated to remain a hotspot for retirees for years to come. Moreover, in the next 14 years, it's estimated that 6,000,000 Americans will retire in Mexico. Due to the impressive economic growth the country is experiencing, Mexico has been able to keep its position as the preferred retirement location for North Americans.

Focus on Mexico: Financial Program

If you're thinking of retiring in Mexico, you'll definitely want to get the right financial information that will give you a total understanding of "how things work" in the country. Before purchasing a property in Mexico, one thing that you'll want to know is how tax is calculated. For that, you'll want to take a look at this website called Focus On Mexico that offers lessons on how to understand and calculate your taxes (and investments) in the country.

Resource for Seniors Looking to Own a Home in Mexico

When it comes to retirement abroad, it's good to have a variety of resources that will help you find your dream home overseas. I came across this website with the name of Top Mexico Real Estate that is especially dedicated to retirement in Mexico and has English-speaking professionals at your disposition to help guide you through the often times intimidating process of buying a home in a foreign country. I checked it out and it provides housing information divided into condos, homes, and rentals, among other categories so it seems like it has something for everyone.

How Can You Tell If You're Saving Enough for Retirement?

As this USA Today article mentions, if you were a bit behind in your retirement savings during large parts of the 1980s and 1990s, it wasn't a big deal.
"Stocks did so well during large periods of time in those decades, remarkable returns could fix many faulty retirement investment plans."
Now however, the stock market and the global economy have changed, leaving little wiggle room for those that need 'a quick fix.' There is hope however, says Matt Krantz, for investors looking to save for retirement, it's just a matter of "getting back to basics."

President Calderón Covers Issues Affecting Seniors Living in Mexico

Via AARP VIVA: President Calderón Speaks about different issues affecting Mexicans and seniors living in Mexico, like medical coverage, structural improvements, eradication of poverty, and safety, among others.

Mexico Today Story Shared: "One Perfect Morning in Playa del Carmen"

Via Mexico Today:

Sunrise on the beach at Playa del Carmen, vacation, laziness, ceviche and friendliness to go around. Read about one man's encounters with what could be one of the most perfect mornings in Mexico to date.

Ordinary Couple's Travels to Mexico

Via Mexico Today:

This seniors couple, Mick and Sally Stephenson, drive to Mexico a couple times a year to take in the breathtaking Mexican culture and history only Mexico can offer. Sally has even written a travel diary of their adventures entitled “The Mexican Travel Diaries.” After composing hundreds of diary entries for friends and family and sending them via email over the past ten years, the still unpublished travel guide is sure to be a fascinating read. It all started in 2001, when the couple decided to venture down to Mexico with a few of their friends. They’d always dreamed of taking a road trip south of the US border. They didn’t have an itinerary or a plan. Ever since, Mick and Sally have made one or two trips to see Mexican culture and history each year. Sally states, “we don’t fly anywhere, we’re drivers. It’s the only way to really see a place.”

Mazatlán will host World Tourism Day

Tourism Secretary Gloria Guevara recently named Mazatlan, Mexico, as host of Mexico’s 2011 World Tourism Day. World Tourism Day is celebrated on September 27 all around the world in hopes of increasing cultural awareness among the international community. An annual event, this year’s World Tourism Day theme is Tourism-Linking Cultures. Mazatlán as a city is rich in culture and history -- attracting tourists to Mexico all year around. In a Mexico Today article Secretary Guevara explains that, “Mazatlán is one of the most attractive destinations in our country. The city hosts large events such as Carnaval, it boasts great infrastructure for conventions, and is easily accessible by land and air. That is why it is one of the destinations with greatest potential.”

Good Year for Mexican Wine and Tourism Business

According to a Mexico Today article, Mexican wine production has increased almost 40 percent over the years. Over the summer, the Vendimia harvest festival in Baja California, where 90 percent of Mexico's wine is produced, was a testament to this. At the annual wine festival there were more than 30,000 attendants, 40 concerts, wine tastings as well as fun contests for connoisseurs to participate in. Did you know? Mexican wine consumption has doubled in the past 10 years and Mexico’s National Wine Council predicts it will double again by 2015. Explore Mexico Today for stories on interesting trips to Mexico's best wineries.

Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park is New Home to Gulf Grouper

For those fish and marine lovers, a new study has shown that the National Marine Park in Mexico’s Gulf of California, has seen the total amount of its denizens more than quintupled in the past 14 years.

A 1.2-meter-long gulf grouper (Mycteroperca jordani) is among the new inhabitants of the park as one of the largest predators that have returned to Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park after a long-time fishing ban. The park has also witnessed Pacific tunas, sharks visiting to dine on the park’s reef fish.

Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park is situated where the Gulf opens into the Pacific and is a widely-known tourist destination in Mexico, due to its great diving and snorkeling.