Rancho La Puerta: World-Class Spa Destination in Mexico

As I wrote about on my blog in July, the readers of Travel and Leisure magazine honored the spa Rancho La Puerta as the World's Best Destination Spa both this year and last. As retirees, it's still nice to take some time to rest and relax. In fact, it's the best way to stay happy and healthy. If you're looking for a spa vacation in Mexico, Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Baja California is the place to go. As the general manager states, “Our business model is taking care of the body, the mind and the spirit. And even though right now that is a trendy way to say it, it’s something we’ve been exercising since the early 1940s.”

The Rancho La Puerta spa is ranked highly for the quality of accomodations, treatments, service, food and value. In this Mexico Today article you'll see what you can experience among Rancho La Puerta's 3,000 private acres of garden, mountains and meadows. Check out the video below as well to learn more.

Retirement Resource: "Retire in Mexico"

If you're looking to retire abroad, here is a great resource that includes monthly updates on the subject of retirement in Mexico. It offers seniors key information before making the big move as well as meet-up dates that provide an interactive, group-setting for those wishing to find out more about what it's really like to live and retire in Mexico.
Already, there are millions of North Americans that have chosen Mexico as their retirement haven, due to the increased value of the dollar there.
Click here to take a better look at this resource for those, like you, considering retiring in Mexico, where you can also sign up for their free informative monthly newsletter.

Important Tips to Safely Beat the Heat

With excessive heat warnings in effect this week for more than 30 states, health officials fear that susceptible older Americans may be at risk for illness or death. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 40 percent of heat-related deaths occur in those 65 and older, and men account for two-thirds of these deaths in all age groups.

Here are some very important tips via AARP for anyone that's going to be in hot areas of the Americas this summer.

Campeche: Carnival!

Courtesy of International Living, here is a video that explains what Carnival is like in the city of Campeche, Mexico. It also covers the wide variety of food and fresh produce you can find in the city for very inexpensive prices.

Video of San Blas, Nayarit

As I mentioned in my previous post, one of the most lovely places to go to in Nayarit is San Blas...I wrote about literature and music inspired by El Muelle de San Blas or the San Blas Wharf in Nayarit and if you watch the video, you'll see what an amazingly tranquil, beautiful place it is.

If you've ever been to San Blas, what would you say was the best thing about it? The spot in town with the most charm? The nicest meal you had?

Post your useful comments below. I'd love to hear them!

6 Steps to the Perfect Complaint

AARP Travel expert Peter Greenberg fills us in on his travel secrets quite frequently, but it's not so common for us to hear the steps on how to make a complaint from a travel expert. Many times, taking the right courses of action is the key to getting a problem fixed.

See this article for how to complain in a way that will get any problem taken care of.

Travel Etiquette 101

Have you ever been to a foreign country where you were new not only to the language, but to the culture as well?



When we travel abroad, especially to the East, it's easy to find ourselves stuck not knowing right from wrong in terms of etiquette.


Have you ever found yourself wondering what's polite and what's not? This is an article that I've always wanted to see on etiquette in a variety of countries around the world.

Swimming with The Whale Shark

Watch this cool video of visitors of Isla Mujeres swimming with whale sharks (as big as a city bus) and see the beautiful natural life of Isla Mujeres.

How to Plant Tomatoes

I was interested in growing fresh vegetables myself and I found this great article on how to plant tomatoes. Tomatoes are a vegetable that thrive in warm weather and they give off a large yield, so it's always rewarding. It's also a fun, easy way to start planting vegetables because you don't even need a garden - you can start from seeds in plantable pots or use a ledge or the railing of a balconette.

I definitely recommend trying it, home-grown tomatoes taste delicious and are a great way to start a garden! Click here to find out more about tomatoes.

Guanajuato, An Alternative to San Miguel de Allende

If you plan to spend time in Mexico and want to look beyond San Miguel de Allende, consider renting a property in Guanajuato, the state capital.

The capital of the state with the same name, Guanajuato was named a World Heritage site in 1988 and has a vibrant feel. The state is located in the North-Central Mexico.
Guanajuato is located between the arid north of the country and the lusher south, and it is part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, the Mexican Plateau and the Sierra Madre Oriental. It was initially settled by the Spanish in the 1520s due to mineral deposits found around the capital city of Guanajuato.

With all of the riches this city has to offer, what's the best part? Guanajuato rentals generally cost you less in San Miguel.

Read this article published in International Living about the beautiful city of Guanajuato.

What Will Air Travel Look Like in 2050?

In this article by the Guardian, you'll see Airbus' concept cabin for 2050. It's said in the article that this type of air travel will be exclusively for the rich. What do you think?
Read the brief article and take the poll.

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.

Great Book for Inspiration: Retirement Tales

Retirement Tales: Two Gringos Living in Mexico by Charlie Montemayor

Join Charlie Montemayor and his wife Carole in his Retirement Tales - Two Gringos Living in Mexico. Charlie and Carole moved to Guanajuato, Mexico in 1995. From the time they start to pack for their move to Mexico, until the present, Charlie makes it a point to send stories to family and friends in the States through a newsletter that chronicles their adventures. The family and friends start passing the newsletters around to share the interesting and funny anecdotes with friends and soon the newsletters become something that all of the readers treasure.

Retirement Tales- Two Gringos Living in Mexico is a collection of the best of the articles from their newsletter. Not only is the book amusing, but it provides practical information on living in Mexico, the experience of building a house in Guanajuato, living costs and government regulations, things you need to know, all done with insightful wisdom about the country, and a friendly view of our neighbour to the south. This book is deemed instructive, interesting, and hilarious.

7 Ways to Keep Retirement Exciting

Here is an interesting article on how the new set of baby boomers are enjoying their retirement. A few ideas are continuing your education and learning a new trade. Over a quarter (26 percent) of affluent baby boomers plan to go back to school in retirement. Many colleges provide discounted or even free tuition to residents above certain ages.

Click here for the full list of ideas that will keep your retirement exciting.

Live Shot of Sayulita from Sayulita Surf Shop Web Cam

Catch a live shot of Sayulita's beach here!

Click here to see a shot of the beach in Sayulita

The Cost of Private and Public Health Care in Mexico

Over the past few decades, Mexico has been making a very strong effort to modernize its healthcare system, with a combined effort from the government and private investment, both national and international. A growing number of Mexico’s top-rate hospitals are gaining international accreditation. While the results have provide Americans and Canadians enjoying Mexico retirement with a very high quality of equipment and service, and non-existent waiting lines, prices in Mexico remain considerably lower than those of the U.S.

A number of American retirees also choose to take advantage of Mexico’s public insurance system, which has it’s own hospitals, with some experts estimating that the numbers run into the thousands. The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) offers a health care plan with no limits, no deductibles, free medicines (and even vitamins if the doctor feels they’re necessary), tests, X-rays, eyeglasses, even dental work for a single annual fee of about $250.

Click here to find out more.

The Real Deal on Retirement Abroad

Recently published on Smart Money.com, this article on Expat Daily News will give you wonderful insight into things to think about when planning to retire, especially if it's abroad. Find out more about what you need to know if you're looking to retire abroad to make your savings go farther.

Where to Find Vegetarian Food in Nayarit? Quetzalcoatl, Claro.

For a variety of vegetarian Mexican cuisine and at affordable prices, you can go to Quetzalcoatl, a local Nayarit restaurant. Pronounced Ket-Zal-Coa-Til, it's rumored this local vegetarian restaurant is where you'll have the best veggie burger in town.

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.