Monthly Archives: June 2013

Mini World Cup Expat Soccer Tournament 2013 in Playa del Carmen

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There was plenty of fun and excitement last weekend in Playa del Carmen at Mamitas Beach where the 8th Annual “Mundialito de Playa” was held. The Mundialito, or mini world cup if you will, was a special soccer tournament for locals and expats from all over the globe who are living here and like to play.  Check out this slide show with some of our pictures:

 

beatlo's Mundialito Playa del Carmen - Final Game album on Photobucket

(If you’re reading by subscription, or can’t see the slideshows, click here to go to the blog and see the pics!)

We visited all three days of the tournament to watch, take photos and cheer on our own home countries. It was really quite an event! Teams included were from Mexico, USA, Italy, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Spain, Uruguay, France and Switzerland. Each team was made of expats from each country!

Here’s the women’s soccer:

The event was a lot of fun and we even saw some visitors from some of the professional teams come out to cheer for their own. In addition to the soccer tournament, the event also included a men’s and women’s rugby expedition. There were plenty of fans and some vibrant cheerleaders who came out to cheer on their team as well.

 

I’ve never seen rugby on a beach before, but it’s something else:

 

beatlo's Mundialito 2013 Rugby album on Photobucket

 

The tournament included two full days of matches between the 10 teams followed by the finals in the last day. Who won? While each country did a fantastic job we must give our congratulations to the Mexican team for taking 1st place in the tournament! The most important thing, however, is that all participants from every team had fun and played great!

 

This event was great for any age group and families as well. It was so nice to see so many people from all over the world get together to play together. While there are many expats who love Mexico and love living in Playa it is always important to show pride for the place you came from. This was clearly and event that showcased that kind of pride.

 

While we were there we got to talking with some of the fans who were watching the games. There were definitely plenty of locals that came to cheer on their family and friends but also there was a nice tourist crowd. For those who love soccer and love the beach this was a special treat! This event is held yearly so if you didn’t get the chance to make it out this time it’s definitely worth it to mark it down for next year!

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Livin' Playa video interview

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – on the Beach! #throwbackthursdays

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Take a look at the difference in style over the last century or so:

 

Imagine wearing what looked somewhat like a very high waist bottom or even a swimsuit that looked like a dress to the beach? Can we say tan lines? But none the less this was the style and had an appealing flare for women. These days however we are going with the “less is more” approach.

And luckily for the suppliers they are saving a lot of money on fabric these days now that bare bottoms have taken over the beach! Fashion is always moving and evolving so what could be next for trendy ladies swimwear?

Top Mexico would love to hear from you! What was your favorite style? Can you think of a year when you owned your favorite bikini or bathing suit? If you have lived through years of evolving styles, what do you think of the styles today? Do you like it? Do you think it’s shocking?

Let us know what you think. Find us on facebook at Mexico Real Estate to communicate your story. Mention key phrase “Girls just wanna have fun!”

-by Bea Lozano

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Calling all Divers to Cozumel!!!

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Among the many possibilities you have here in the Riviera Maya to explore beauty and nature you have diving.

 

While some prefer to do a small snorkel, there are a ton of die-hard diver fans out there that travel from all over to arrive here to the Riviera Maya and Cozumel where you can experience the second largest coral reef in the world. There are even many expats living here just for this reason along with many tourists who flock here to explore the beauty and magic under the surface of the sea.

 

If you are one of these people then this may interest you:

 


June 24th-30th 2013 (that’s NOW!) is Diver’s Week in Cozumel where many hotels, restaurants and merchants will be offering great discounts for you divers out there who are participating in underwater activities during this time.

 

Along with a great diving experience and a nice vacation to boot, you can be part of some of the ongoing festivities including a special gala dinner, various parties and conferences. Also, you can search some special sales on your diving equipment! If you are already here and you love to dive this can be an incredible excuse to spend a few days in Cozumel, get underwater, meet other fellow divers and take advantage of great deals!

 

For more details about the event click here.

 

– by Bea Lozano

 

Mexico Insurance Kit

Celebrate the Beginning of Summer in Mexico and around the World!

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Summer is here! Woo hoo! While that may not be such a big deal to those who are already settling in the Caribbean, and get to enjoy nice weather all year, it is still a day of celebration and happiness all throughout the northern hemisphere of the world! It is a day to celebrate the sun and enjoy extended light and warmth. So what will you be doing to welcome the summer?

 

Here are some ideas of how many people honor and celebrate this day throughout the world:

 


Chichen Itza and its Mayan mysteries

Probably one of the most important and interesting things to do is to watch the summer solstice at the very moment it happens at Chichen-Itza. We are talking about the exact point where the sun seems to pause and highlight the north and east sides of the temple of Kukulcan while creating complete shade on the south and west sides. If you are in the Riviera Maya during this time this is a great opportunity to be a part of such a historical tradition.

 

It is very popular to go to Chichen-Itza, not only for the summer solstice but also for the winter solstice and fall and spring equinox. The Mayans were very intelligent and without any kind of technology or advancement, that we use today, they had to construct a way to know what day, month and season it was. They were able to use the pattern of light to determine the seasons.

 

Also, for those who did not know this already the Temple of Kukulcan has 91 steps on each of the 4 sides plus one last step up to the top of the platform to equal 365. This represents one step per day. Another thing worth noting is that each season is exactly 91 days apart except for the summer solstice which is 92 all adding up to 365 days. The Mayans were able to determine everything just by paying attention with nature and the sun. Many will flock to Chichen-Itza to watch and partake in celebrations of this wonderful day!

 

How about a little bit of yoga?
If you can’t make it to Chichen-Itza how about a little bit of yoga? I know, this might sound a little surprising if you aren’t already familiar with the summer solstice traditions but it is true that many people across the world gather for special yoga sessions on the morning of the summer solstice. These special yoga sessions are intended to honor the sun. Check out the local yoga studios in Playa del Carmen, Tulum and across the Riviera Maya to see how you can get involved in one of these special sessions. Not in Mexico? Check out New York City where they put on a huge yoga event right in Times Square including free classes, music, performances and lots of celebration.

 

Perfect day for a wedding!

 

This very day is actually one of the most popular days for weddings. June is believed to be a good luck month for weddings anyways but June 21st, or the day of the summer solstice, is referred to as the “wedding of heaven and earth” and draws much attention to those when picking out their special day. In addition, if your wedding is outdoors you can get the most out of your day.

 


Bonfire

 

Another interesting tradition is to hold a bonfire. Make a big fire, invite your friends, cook, and celebrate the day!! I think this goes along with idea and is a good excuse to have a nice gathering with friends and family. Make the most out of the longest day of the year and the sunlight by being outdoors and taking in all the day has to offer. Other traditions include festivals, parades and special ceremonies. Make your own traditions, have a BBQ, go to the beach. Whatever it is you decide to do, enjoy! Happy Summer everyone!

 

-by Bea Lozano

 

Mexico Real Estate e-book

A Large New Mayan Pyramid Site Discovered in Campeche

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While recently I wrote about the very sad situation of Mayan pyramids being bulldozed in Central America, here on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula we’re seeing  the opposite – discovery and preservation.

 

Just yesterday, Tim Johnson of McClatchy Newspapers wrote about a new discovery deep in the jungle of the state of Campeche, which share’s the Peninsula with Quintana Roo (where Cancun and Playa del Carmen are located) and Yucatan (where Merida is located.)  Here’s an excerpt:

 

Deep in the jungles of southeast Campeche state, archaeologists have discovered a significant new Mayan site, called Chactun, or Red Rock, that was thrived roughly from 600 to 900 A.D. The site, never reported previously, is “one of the largest sites ever registered in the Central Lowlands,” the National Institute of Anthropology and History said.

 

Led by Ivan Šprajc, a team of Mexican and foreign archaeologists and experts financed by National Geographic came across the ruin a few weeks ago after studying aerial photos. The expedition was also financed by the Austrian firm Villas and the Slovenian company Ars longa. That’s Šprajc in the photos, by the way. “It is one of the largest sites in the Central Lowlands, comparable in extent and magnitude of its buildings to Becan, Nadzcaan and El Palmar in Campeche,” said Šprajc, a Slovenian researcher.

 

And, a couple more amazing pictures:

 

Mayan pyramids in Mexico

 

Mayan Pyramids in Yucatan

 

Read the full article here.

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Mexico Real Estate e-book

A Romantic Gondola Ride through the Canals of … Cancun?

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Now imagine relaxing in a gondola, with a drink in your hand, music in the air, with not a worry in the world.  Where would you imagine you are?  Probably not Cancun … but something like this could be reality here some time soon.

 

I just read that Xcaret, the company that already has 2 amazing culture and nature-focused theme parks in the area, is planning to create a replica of Mexico City’s Xolchimilco in Cancun over the next few years.

 

But wait a minute – what’s Xolchimilco?

If you’re not familiar with Mexico City, you may not know about the beautiful canals in a very quaint and traditional group of villages nestled in the south of the city.

 

Back when I lived in Mexico City, it was one of my favorite outings, both to take friends and family who were visiting and just for  a relaxing weekend afternoon.

 

You might know that back a long time ago, Mexico City was in the middle of a lake. As the city grew and the lake was filled in, canals were left connecting various parts of the city.  Most are now gone, but the most connecting canals have survived are in Xolchimilco, which was only recently swallowed by the ever-growing city.

 

The wide canals, the greenery and colorful flowers surrounding them and the villages they go through offer a charming escape, a place where you really don’t realize you’re in the city.

 

 

Like in Venice, you can hire gondola-like – but far more colorful and cheerful – boats, called “trajineras,” which are pushed along by the driver.  Other boats go by selling drinks and food. There are mariachis.

 

Not all is romance …

On the other hand, there’s a very non-romantic side to the canals of Xolchimilco.   Just imagine enjoying a fine summer afternoon, with boat after boat going by selling beer and other drinks – and not a care in the world!  For this very reason, many of the locals have come to call the trajineras “trajinebrias“- “ebrio” is one of the words for “drunk.”

 

The boats are also larger than the gondolas and you can fit a little party onto them.

 

It’s pretty common that someone has a drink or two too many and takes a tumble into the water …

 

While the result is usually a good laugh – especially for those who didn’t fall in – the water doesn’t flow much and its not the nicest experience!

 

 

Romantic or party?  You can choose.  There’s enough space in the canals so all can enjoy alike!

 

New Canals Cancun?

One of the advantages to the replica to be built in Cancun is that I’m sure they will take waterflow into account. Combining the best beaches to be found with a beautiful resort city and a very charming and unique cultural feature from Mexico’s central heartland.

 

And besides that, it’ll be less than an hour away from home for me.

 

I don’t think it get’s much better than this!

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Mexico Insurance Kit

How Old Do You Have to Be to Retire … in Mexico?

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How old do you have to be to retire? How old do you have to be to retire in Mexico?

 

They are two distinct questions, and have two distinct answers.

 

We all know that in the U.S. and Canada retirement age is on the rise – often due to financial constraints.

 

In Mexico, there are several factors to consider:

 

  • The cost of living is lower, which makes it easier to retire sooner.
  • It’s easy to start your dream business; it costs less and there are fewer hurdles. Mexican bureaucracy can be a marathon, but outside of the government offices you’ll find that it’s easier to get things going. Most people running their business in Mexico just keep doing it – even if they’re financially ready; they just like it so much.
  • It’s easier to be healthy making it easier to choose to keep working or to have an active retirement otherwise.  Warm weather, good and affordable healthcare and easy access to fresh, healthy food have many advantages.

 

When it comes right down to it, you might not think of it in the same way as you do there.  You may just enjoy life here so much, that the distinction between work and retirement blurs and even disappears!

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

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Mexico Health Care Kit

“Where the Streets Have No Name …”

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Have you ever wondered what Bono was singing about in that song?

Maybe I haven’t discovered any in depth meaning to life from U2’s music, but I sure have found a few places where the streets have no name.

 

Consider this working-class community right next to downtown Playa del Carmen:

 

Just two years ago or so, they put up street signs on the 3 main roads.  The little side streets still have no road signs.  Sure, the streets do have names, but you won’t find them marked in any way – and, for the most part, people don’t use the names or often even know what they are.  Landmarks are the way to go.

 

Now take a look at this place in Chiapas:

Here, you might actually have trouble finding any name – official or otherwise – for this road!

 

So, living in Mexico, you will most certainly find places where the streets have no name.  But, unlike Bono, I’m sure you actually will find what you’re looking for.

by Thomas Lloyd

Mexico Insurance Kit

Akumal is Everyone’s Beach!

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The Riviera Maya is known for its beaches, so it’s no surprise that everywhere you go you can find cool fresh white beaches of sand and awesome green blue water. But my favorite stretch of beach is called Akumal.

Akumal is about 30 minutes from Playa del Carmen and about 10 minutes from Tulum. It’s a small little beach town that sports only a few restaurants and cabin-like hotel rooms. It’s a perfect spot for a relaxing quiet beach day.

 

The Best Thing about Akumal

Well there are a few things, but first, it’s a great place to go snorkeling. You can swim right off the beach and find turtles and fish within seconds. And not just little turtles and fish, huge ones!

 

Secondly, the beach is spotted with palm trees, so it makes finding a shady spot easy. I love just taking a sarong and sitting under a tree reading a good book or listening to some music.

 

Another great thing is that it is a bay, so the waves are calm and don’t knock you over. You can sit in the water and enjoy the gentle rock of the water.

 

A Place for Everyone

Retirement living in Akumal, MexicoAkumal really is a great place to enjoy the beach on any day. I guess the only negative thing is that on Sunday it’s the place to be and can get a little crowded. You can find all the locals enjoying their surrounds as much as any tourist. The whole family comes down to the beach, with coolers full of drinks and lunch for everyone.

 

It really is nice to see that Akumal is not only a touristic place but also home for so many. Take a trip and enjoy!!!

 

-by Bea Lozano

 

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The Pricing Factor – The Even Cheaper Parts of Mexico

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Retirement living in Mexico

The colonial town of Valladolid – not far from Cancun, Playa or Merida

Here’s something that may or may not surprise you; regardless of which retirement location you choose in Mexico, regardless how low the cost of living, there are probably many parts of the country that are even cheaper!

 

So, why don’t you pack up and move to one of those places?

 

Well, the answer to that is usually fairly obvious; the more popular expat and tourist locations usually have more modern services, more people that speak English, better airport and highway access, etc. And they’re already so much cheaper than what life back home was.

 

Yet, there are several benefits to these very low-priced parts of Mexico.

 

Travel

 

While you’re home base will be Playa del Carmen or Puerto Vallarta, you can hop on a nice coach bus or rent a car and head out to visit nearby villages. The cost of everything from hotels to icecream to taxis will be low, even compared to the surprisingly los prices you were just getting used to in your new home town. For example, about 2 hours from Playa del Carmen is the charming – yet all but unknown – town of Valladolid.

 

retirement living in MexicoThis makes it easy to spend retirement years traveling, seeing new sights and having new experiences, even if you’re on a tighter budget. One couple who headed out for a trip through some of these quieter villages told me that there full vacationing expenses – hotel, bus, restaurants, etc., – cost them less than their regular expenses would’ve been for the same amount of time back in Canada. Mind you, this couple likes to “rough it” a little, but they fully enjoyed all aspects of the trip.

 

Affordable Help

 

One of the many advantages of retiring in Mexico is that you can afford to hire a maid, a gardener, a handyman for maintenance, etc. and not bust the budget. People coming into the more economically thriving areas from the villages are part of what makes this possible. For them, even the wages which already seem surprisingly low to us seem quite high. Many of them send part of their wages back to the farm where the cash goes a long, long way.

 

Of course, we want to give back to our new communities and not take advantage, but paying the going wages or a bit higher will go a long way for these people. Hiring them offers a double benefit; it’s good for you since it offers you a more comfortable lifestyle for a much better price. It’s good for them because it gives them access to cash and a better life that otherwise they wouldn’t have.

 

So, yes, there are most certainly places in Mexico that are cheaper than the expat town you chose. No, they probably wouldn’t be appealing for you to live in, and yes, there are ways which you can both enjoy the benefits of the low costs there and contribute to the lives of those who live there.

 

-Thomas Lloyd