Mexico Ranks High on Best Places for Retiring Abroad

Mexico has many attractive features for retirees, from the inexpensive real estate to the warm weather year-round. MexicoToday writes about why Mexico is widely hailed as a great option for retiring abroad.

Socializing in Mexico, One Expat's Experience

I came across a blog post detailing one expat's experience about socializing in Mexico. It's a great read and touches upon the differences between socializing with other expats as opposed to the locals. Take a look at this post written by "An Alaskan in Yucatan." The post evokes feelings of why Mexico is a wonderful place to retire.

Cost of Vegetables in Mexico

Countdown to Mexico gives readers a glimpse of how much vegetables cost in Mexico, particularly Mazatlán, Mexico. Knowing basic everyday costs such as food really helps to get a sense of your budget for retiring abroad.

Video: How Do Retirees Spend Their Time in Mexico

This video focuses on the one retiree's experience of the many activities available for retirees in Mexico: fishing, yachting, surfing, relaxing on the sunny beaches, restaurant hopping, wine tastings, cultural events, art galleries, shopping, expatriate community gatherings, etc.

In Rosarito, Mexico, the expat community numbers around 15,000 people and is consistently showing growth as more people discover the high quality of life available in Mexico.

Recycling Remains a High Priority on Mexico's Agenda

Mexico's attitude towards recycling has given the people an influx of recyclable bags and new recycling policies that are benefiting the economy, the job sector, and the environment. Recycling is now an every day practice in Mexico. This is great news for retirees as it shows that Mexico is concerned with the environment its citizens live in and the future of the country.

Picture credit: TreeHugger

A Glimpse of Mexican Culture - Family Values

If you retire abroad, you can only enrich your experience by learning some of the values of the country you'll be living in. Here is an intro to some Mexican family values:

• The family is at the centre of the social structure.
• Outside of the major cosmopolitan cities, families are still generally large.
• The extended family is as important as the nuclear family since it provides a sense of stability.
• Mexicans consider it their duty and responsibility to help family members. For example, the will help find employment or finance a house or other large purchase.
• Most Mexican families are extremely traditional, with the father as the head, the authority figure and the decision-maker.
• Mothers are greatly revered, but their role may be seen as secondary to that of their husband.

"Loving New Retired Life in Mexico"

An American expat retired in Mexico, tells her story of retirement abroad and how she found the perfect place that keeps her happy and healthy in her retirement years. Her name is Pat Cornwell, and at 74 she can proudly say that she has made an important leap to health and happiness in Mexico: "In 2005, Pat [...] bought an affordable three-story house in Coatepec, Mexico, a small coffee-growing town about an hour west of the Gulf of Mexico. There, she says, she’s able to enjoy a slower life with less distraction. “I have time for friends, reading, gardening and health, though not in that order.”

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro - World Heritage Site

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, also known as the Silver Route, was used as a trade route for 300 years, and was responsible in many ways for creating a sociocultural bind between Spanish and Amerindian cultures. It consists of 55 sites and extends from Mexico City into the U.S. Read about why this route is so important to Mexican culture and how you can visit it.

1st Arts and Craft Fair in Oaxaca, Mexico

Photo courtesy of planeta

Among the wide variety of events in Oaxaca this July is an arts and crafts fair, starting tomorrow, July 16th, that will offer a variety of things to see like typical clothing from the region and silver jewelry.

Top 10 Colonial Cities to Visit in Mexico

Mexico is probably the country in Latin America with the most beautiful colonial cities. I bet you'd like to know the 10 ten best colonial cities to visit in Mexico. According to International Living, San Miguel de Allende, or San Miguel for short, stands out as the number one city for its fun, dynamic ambiance, full of history and culture. See what other beautiful colonial cities made it on the list.

The Art of the Huichol Community

If you want to get a sneak peek at the Huichol art available in the Riviera Nayarit region, take a look at this online gallery. It has beautiful images of Huichol artwork, accompanied by an in- depth introduction on the culture and additional resources for those that want to learn more about the Huichol, a people known for living in "Responsible ecstasy".

The Beautiful Weather of Puerto Vallarta

Did you know that Puerto Vallarta has well over 300 days of sunshine per year? Like most tropical climates, there is a dry season and a rainy season. The dry season, which coincides with the high season for tourism, lasts from November until May. The weather during this time is about as close to perfect as you can get; clear blue skies, warm days, cool breezy nights, and little to no rainfall are the norms. Click here to get average temperatures for all seasons and even what the temperature is like right now in Puerto Vallarta.

Don Pedro's: Sayulita's Laid Back Luxe

If you want a local spot to go for a beautiful meal by the beach, go to Don Pedro's in Sayulita. The restaurant bar that also is a hotel, offers a wide variety of food to suit all tastes. Go to the website to see what Don Pedro's offers. Also, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how Don Pedro's gives back to the community of Sayulita. The restaurant, owned by two Americans, is the largest employer in Sayulita and employs at least one member of every family in Sayulita.

Common Sense Tips for Traveling Abroad

Whenever traveling it's good to keep in mind that we are in an unfamiliar place and should take extra precautions. If you're thinking of checking out your future retirement spot with a vacation, here are are a few good measures, based on common sense. They will come especially in handy for foreign countries that require a little extra attention and care, but can also be applied to trips in the States.

-Avoid revealing large sums of cash in public places. This can be applied to any city in the world really.

-Don't wear clothing items that scream “tourist.” Also, looking upwards and side to side the entire time you're walking is also a instant give-away that you're just visiting.

-Use small bills whenever possible to pay for purchases, especially with vendors in the street. It's probable that they may not have enough change if you pay with a very large bill, which can create an uncomfortable situation.

-When in a crowd, pay attention to the people around you. No matter where you travel, the people that look distracted are the ones that pickpockets go for first.

-It's never a bad idea to leave important documents, unneeded credit cards, and cash in the hotel safe.

-Be watchful of your belongings and keep bags and especially any electronic devices close to you.

Sininen and Lunazul

If you're wondering what to do with the grandkids on a beautiful day in Nayarit, take them to explore the best two surf shops in Sayulita: Sininen and Lunazul. In my post with a link to a live web cam shot of Sayulita's beach, you'll see the beach from Lunazul's surf shop.

Sininen and Lunazul, are both located by the main town beach, and offer shortboards, longboards, and stand-up paddleboards for sale as well as for rent by the hour, day, or week. Even if your grand children are expert surfers, it'd be a better idea to stop at one of these surf shops to rent a board and gear, since it can cost up to 75$ each way to bring a surfboard on the plane with you.