Category Archives: Festivals and events

Difference Between Halloween and Day of the Dead in Mexico: Where to Celebrate It?

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Halloween and Day of the Dead are two distinct celebrations that might seem similar on the surface. Mainly given their proximity in date. However, they actually hold different cultural meanings. While Halloween is widely celebrated in many parts of the world, Day of the Dead is a unique Mexican tradition with deep roots in pre-Hispanic cultures. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two celebrations. Additionally, a great idea for your Mexico retirement experience: When and where to live and enjoy the richness of the Day of the Dead in Mexico. Particularly in the enchanting Riviera Maya.

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The Best Festivals in the Riviera Maya

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Whether you’re a full-time resident of Mexico or a snowbird that flocks to escape the freezing winters of the north, it’s good to know what’s going on around for you to enjoy. The Riviera Maya and the whole Yucatan Peninsula are increasingly booming when it comes to art and culture. Because of this, many festivals and events have started to take place annually. So, get out your calendar and start marking the dates to attend these amazing festivals year-round.

Spring and Autumn Equinox Festival

Equinox Chichen Itza

Each year, attendees can observe an extraordinary manifestation at Chichen Itza in the Yucatan Peninsula. This happens during the first few days of spring, as well as fall, when the descending sun casts a shadow of a giant serpent alongside the corner of the renowned Kulkulkan Temple. The shadow gives the impression of a snake gliding down the staircase. It then fuses with a large stone serpent head at the base of the pyramid.

This commemoration rejoices the progressive zodiacal prodigy of the Mayan culture with a variety of concerts, sounds and bright light displays on the consecrated archeological site.

The Riviera Maya Film Festival

The international film industry puts on a festival to celebrate cinema through contemporary films every year. Producers screen Mexican and foreign movies throughoug different spots in the Riviera Maya, from Cancun to Tulum, during six days. It’s a great event for film lovers and a great way to get to see your favorite actors, directors and industry big names in person.

In Playa del Carmen, award-winning films are featured in remarkable outdoor locations such as the beach, as well as inside reinstated theaters. In Cancun they have a drive-in cinema, as well, which is one of the most popular events they host. The festival has attracted over 80,000 visitors over the past five years and has featured close to 1000 free screenings.

Festival of Life and Death at Xcaret

Day of the Dead

The Festival of Life and Death takes place over four days starting on October 31st at the Xcaret eco-park. Inside the festival grounds you can enjoy delicious foods such as tamales, cochinita pibil and other traditional Mexican tasty treats. You will also be blown away by the many decorations and lights within the park.

This is a truly Mexican experience you won’t want to miss if you’re visiting at the time. The festival features musical performances, theater, comedy, equestrian shows and a lot of culture. It is suitable for families with children of all ages. With plenty of flowers, candles, and beautifully-decorated altars, you won’t even know you’re in Mexico’s most touristic destination.

Riviera Maya Jazz Festival

Perhaps the best thing about the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival besides the stellar line-ups, is that it’s completely free. The even takes places on the beaches of Playa del Carmen and it is one of the longest-running festivals to take place here. Thanks to its world-class entertainment and gorgeous setting, it is a favorite amongst locals and foreigners alike.

Even if you’re not a jazz fan, it is great to appreciate the music as they bring plenty of big-name artists. The setting is quite enjoyable, too. Many people bring food and drinks and make their own beach picnic while listening to the music. It runs through the night.

International Festival of Caribbean Culture

The International Festival of Caribbean Culture is a six-day festival in the Riviera Maya with events held mainly in Cancun during the month of November. This festival is popular amongst people who enjoy salsa music and poetry. There is always plenty of dancing, amazing Caribbean artists and a lot of fun to go around.

Make sure you plan your visits to Mexico or your general calendar around these amazing festivals so you can enjoy the most cultural activities around. The Riviera Maya is growing ever-so-rapidly and more and more of these festivals are now taking place here. Mark your calendars and enjoy!

Mayakoba Playa Fest 2017

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Mayakoba Resort celebrates the second edition of the most dynamic and fun event: Mayakoba Playa Fest 2017.

Mayakoba Playa Fest 2017 will be an amazing event surrounded by crystal-clear waters, mangroves and the beautiful Caribbean Sea. The stunning turquoise water and the white sandy beaches highlight each of the activities performed in this event.

This festival will take place in Mayakoba, a paradise located in the heart of the Riviera Maya. On September 15 to 17, Mayakoba Playa Fest will celebrate this amazing party. This huge event expects around 250 people. Every guest will enjoy this unique event and its beautiful location in the recently inaugurated Andaz Mayakoba.

Here is the schedule for the Mayakoba Playa Fest activities:

  • Opening Cocktail: To start with this event, we will celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day at Mayakoba’s Pueblito (little town). This party will be open for the public and it will be the perfect moment to celebrate with family and friends.
  • Mayakoba Challenge: This is the most challenging activity. This event includes Yoga, a 5K race and a SUP race- 1K into the sea.
  • Sunrise Yoga: An inspirational yoga session in front of the beautiful dawn at Andaz Maykoba beach.
  • Stand Up Paddle Race 1K y 5K: One of the most fun activities in the sea, led by a Stand-Up Paddle expert.
  • Jet Surf Mexico demonstration: A sport that mixes surf, motor sports and entertainment.
  • Aqua Forza: A great experience with a new exercise trend that combines yoga positions, resistance and elasticity.
  • Yoga and Kite Surf: Additionally, during this weekend you can take courses of Yoga and Kite Surf. Relax and have fun at the same time.
  • Award Ceremony at Andaz Mayakoba beach: To award the winners of the “Mayakoba Challenge”, they will offer an exquisite lunch. Chef invited, Paul Bentley and the culinary Andaz Mayakoba team will create an extraordinary menu. Their delicious food will delight all the guests with Mexican food and margaritas, accompanied with the best music.
  • Closing Dinner at Casa Amate: To end on a high note, Mayakoba will host a splendid dinner. Vincent Wallez, the executive chef at Andaz, and Chef Paul Bentley will create a banquet. This delicious dinner will take place at the Insignia Restaurant in Andaz Mayakoba.

Don’t miss this amazing event! Mayakoba Playa Fest 2017 will reiterate the beauty and greatness within a resort like no other.

More about Mayakoba:

The Riviera Maya is home to this beautiful resort that takes only a 15 minute drive from Playa del Carmen. Mayakoba is an eco-friendly development on the Mexican Caribbean beaches. Also, natural beauties, such as lagoons, mangroves and white sandy beaches sorround this luxurious resort. On the other hand, Mayakoba is home to 4 luxury hotels: Fairmont Mayakoba, Rosewood Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba and Andaz Mayakoba.

Another spectacular feature Mayakoba Resort offers, is a spectacular 18-hole golf course; where the OHL Mayakoba Classic takes place each year. This course is surrounded by 13 km of lagoons and fresh water channels that lead to the turquoise Caribbean Sea.

For more information about this event, visit Mayakoba’s website.   

 

Maya Theme Park in Cancun to Open in 2017

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Museo Maya Cancun

A new theme park will soon be added to Cancun next year, dedicated to exploring the world of the Mayans. The ‘Parque Maya’ is a private investment planned to be ready for winter of 2017 with the intention of promoting cultural tourism in the city. Cancun and the Riviera Maya have already had tremendous success with the Xcaret adventure parks, which were named among the world’s best theme parks earlier this year and recently saw the opening of Xenses, a new park on the same grounds, but this new park will be dedicated to promote the cultural tourism in the area.

August 15 will see the laying of the first stone, while work will be expected to take 12 months in order to bring this project to life. “The concept behind it is of the Mayan universe” said Francisco Córdova Lira, an investor of the Park. “We already have all the permissions and licenses to carry out the Park.” He stated that they are currently in the phase of accreditation for a bank loan, although some investments have already been made.

The plan for the park is to have three zones that are united together, including El Rey, archeological ruins that few currently visit but will now be promoted, and the Mayan Museum which opened to the public in 2012. The Park will be located facing the Museum and is designed for visiting families to learn about the Mayan culture and also have fun at the same time. There will be zip lines, rope bridges, along with replicas of relics and Mayan architecture. They will be distributed among the three worlds that make up the Mayan universe.

Getting to this point has come at an investment of approximately 50 million pesos. The development project was submitted twice to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), but due to the lack of appropriate permissions it was put on hold, but will now see the beginning of the construction.

The investors believe that the concept will appeal to tourists, since the Cancun hotel zone will be providing more places of recreation and culture. Given the tremendous success that Xcaret and other adventure park have had in recent years, along with the continued boom in tourism for Cancun and the Riviera Maya in general, the opening is likely to be a big success.

If you’d like more information about Playa del Carmen or are interested in purchasing property here, we invite you to visit our main website where you can search further. Please get in touch with one of our agents who will gladly assist you in any questions you might have.

And remember, at Top Mexico Real Estate…

we make it happen!

The Riviera Maya Film Festival is Bilingual!

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Living in Mexico can be a challenge if you don’t speak the language, and this can have an impact in your entertainment options. Even in a town like Playa del Carmen, which has a big expat community and where, in general, it is very easy to move around and communicate in English, most of the times the entertainment and cultural events are targeted towards the local community, leaving you with few options to attend.

An exception for this is the Riviera Maya Film Festival 2016. We have been attending some of the screenings and it’s been very refreshing to see that the movies in Spanish include subtitles in English, while those films in a language different to English or Spanish include subtitles in both languages, making it easy for the expat community to be part of this festival and enjoy the events.

Take a look at the program and feel free to attend these events, knowing that you’ll be able to enjoy the movies.

In Playa del Carmen the events are being held in the Teatro de la Ciudad, Cinemex (movie complex in Centro Maya shopping mall), and some at the beach. There are also events scheduled in Tulum, Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres. If you’re interested in knowing more about the Riviera Maya Film Festival 2016, you can see the full program here.

Besides the availability of English subtitles and the variety of venues and schedules, there’s another very interesting detail about the RMFF: all the events are for free! So all you need to do is to get there on time to be able to get a seat.

Please be aware that both the opening and closing ceremonies are really popular. There’s a red carpet and many guests, usually actors, actresses and directors, both Mexican and non-Mexican attend these ceremonies. If you choose to attend any of these events, consider that even getting there early doesn’t guarantee being able to access the venue. So, unless you have a special pass, we would recommend you not to attend these ceremonies, and just enjoy the regular program.

Check the Riviera Maya Film Festival website to see the details, movie synopsis and much more.

Enjoy the festival!

Now if you want to learn more about property in the Riviera Maya or any of the TOP MEXICO REAL ESTATE properties we have listed anywhere throughout Mexico, please feel free to contact any of our Top Mexico Buyer’s Representatives and we will be glad to help you find your very own piece of paradise.

And remember, here at Top Mexico Real Estate…

We make it happen!

Fashion in Tulum, a series of runway shows from May 12th to the 14th

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All this trendy and exclusive fashion runways we see on TV are mostly just that: a show to watch from your comfy home and not really living it… but have you thought about a more natural and wild fashion show situated in one of the best towns in Riviera Maya? Tulum has it, and for its five consecutive year, Fashion Tulum will impress many people from around the world in order to promote this awesome destination from May 12th to the 14th of 2016.

What’s the main goal of the event? Bring people into the city, activate tourism and most of all, build a fashion trendy site out of Tulum and out to the open world. Government tourism area has design not just Fashion Tulum this time, but even more events in order to create a big and great promotion campaign to increase the incentives into this specific industry in the area.

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The state of Quintana Roo has also plans to turn Tulum into a national and international referral in the fashion industry, this way, the whole Riviera Maya can grow even bigger in tourism and society and local business can get the best out of it with thousands of visitors this kind of expos and events can provide.

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Can you imagine? The best models from all around the world along with the top kind of clothes and trends all gathered in just one place for three awesome days… yeah, Tulum. Get your things, start marking this on your calendar and get on with your fanciest clothes, we’re all going to Tulum for an enjoyable fashion event at the best beaches in the Mexican Caribbean.

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If you are interested in exploring properties in the Riviera Maya contact a Top Mexico Buyers’ Representative today.

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BPM Festival: Bigger Than Ever

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With the arrival of the New Year in Playa del Carmen comes one exciting event that attracts thousands of electronic music lovers: the BPM Festival. For the ninth occasion since its launch, this unique electronic music festival returns to the Riviera Maya with a fantastic line up and a lot of promise.

Founded in 2008, the festival has grown into an international gathering of DJs and electronic dance music fans. The festival not only offers an amazing dance music experience, but it also puts you in the perfect winter getaway destination in the picturesque Caribbean coastline.

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The festival runs for ten days straight with a one-of-a-kind musical program full of amazing events and a total of 375 international artists present. According to their website, over 60,000 people from 60 different countries attended the festival last year, and with their ever growing worldwide presence, that number is sure to keep increasing. The festival puts Cancun and Las Vegas to shame.

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The BPM festival puts you in the scenic Riviera Maya where you can also enjoy wonderful touristic recreational activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, visiting ancient Mayan ruins and absorbing the breathtaking natural landscapes of the region. It is the perfect way to kick off the New Year – there is no stopping the party.

Artists such as Yoshitoshi, Luciano & Friends, This is the End and Vatos Locos will be playing for the crowds from January 8th to January 17th. Blue Parrot Beach Club, Canibal Royal, La Santanera, Jungle, Tribeca, La Salsanera, Wah Wah Beach Club and Martina Beach Club will be the official festival venues this year. Tickets can be purchased directly through the BPM Festival website, although only 10-day passes are now available for $929.99 USD.

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Thinking of the Riviera Maya

The BPM Festival is an eco-friendly, green festival. This is something to highlight due to the amount of effort put into the conservation of the Riviera Maya’s ecosystems and nature. Attendees are asked to lend a hand in the keeping of the beaches and venues by picking up after themselves. “Green Team Stations” will be installed in all their venues to facilitate recycling. In 2015, they collected 185 tons of non-recyclable waste and 4,755 kg of recyclables.

Additionally, this year they are introducing a new BPM crest which spotlights the Black Jaguar (or panther) in an effort to raise awareness of its endangered status.

Join the thousands of artists, music fans, tourists and locals for a 10-day festival in paradise. The BPM has been successful since 2008 and plans on continuing its expansion putting the Riviera Maya in the world’s spotlight.

Top Mexico Real Estate can help you find your holiday accommodation for the BPM Festival. Contact one of our Top Buyer Representatives who will gladly guide you through the purchasing in Playa del Carmen, the Riviera Maya, or all of Mexico.

And remember, here at Top Mexico Real Estate…

We Make It Happen!

New Year’s in Playa del Carmen

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We have quickly approached that time of the year when everyone is wondering where the time has gone. The end of December if fast arriving and soon we will be saying goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016.

The popular tourist destination of Playa del Carmen is soon to be swarmed by thousands of tourists and locals alike wanting to give a good farewell to the year in paradise. Who can blame them, really? There is no place like the Riviera Maya for a good meal, a good party, a good time and an amazing location to start the New Year.

Whether you have already landed or are just about to hop on a flight to this gorgeous beach town, here is a list of things you can expect to do to celebrate the arrival of the new year.

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Fine Dining

Playa del Carmen is many things, but it certainly is nothing short of hosting an array of amazing and finger-sucking, delicious restaurants. Whether you want to spend your last day of the year eating Mexican, Italian, French, or a mixture of different culinary styles, you are sure to find something to satisfy your cravings.

Go big or go home: Fifth Avenue is known for featuring restaurants upon restaurants serving delicious New Year’s meals. This is your chance to spur a little on the cash for an amazing meal and a night to remember.

Heads up: reserving a table a few days in advance is mandatory if you want to secure a place. Remember that thousands of tourists flock south at this time of year and restaurants are sure to sell out.

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Party ‘till the sun comes up

It is no secret that Playa del Carmen is giving Cancun a run for its money when it comes to the party scene. Year long, people visit from around the world to experience the amazing nightlife that this paradisiac coastal town has to offer. Many people have said that Coco Bongo, one of the biggest and most famous nightclubs in the Riviera Maya, puts Las Vegas nightlife to shame. There is nothing like celebrating New Year’s here.

Coco Bongo throws one heck of a party for $150 USD; if you are not too keen on paying too much, you can always head to one of the smaller (and significantly cheaper) bars and clubs on 12th street. Either way, you are sure to have the night of your life.

Heads up: Even though Playa del Carmen has an amazing nightlife, it’s quite limited to 12th Street. This means that the area will be overcrowded and clubs might be hard to get into if you arrive late. Be patient and go with the flow.

Beachin’ it

It is a common thing to celebrate the arrival of the New Year by the beach. Many beach clubs, such as Zenzi Beach Club, Fusion or Canibal Royal, host special New Year’s Eve dinners right on the beach with live music, party favors and a chilled crowd. Places such as Canibal Royal will bring on international DJs to set the music mood, as well.

After dinner and welcoming the New Year, head out to one of the public beaches to witness the first sunrise of the year. The sun will light up the gorgeous Caribbean Ocean for the first time in 2016.

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Coincidance Beach Festival 

From December 30th to January 2nd, the Coincidance Beach Festival will feature international DJs for an electronic goodbye to the old year. On the 31st, at Coco Maya, you will be able to dance the night away to DJs such as Robert Babicz and Harold Tellez, amongst many others.

The four-day pass is available for $165 USD and it will be hosted in La Santanera, Coco Maya, Reina Roja and SacBe Jungle.

There are hundreds of options to celebrate New Year’s Eve in this beautiful paradise beach town. Be sure not to miss out on any of them, because this is a unique life experience. Happy New Year from the Top Mexico Real Estate team!

 

Top Mexico Real Estate is an American-owned real estate company catering to Americans and Canadians looking to relocate to the Riviera Maya or anywhere throughout Mexico. Browse through our thousands of property options and contact one of our Top Buyer Representatives who will gladly guide you in the journey to becoming a homeowner in Mexico.

And remember, here at Top Mexico Real Estate…

We Make It Happen!

Cozumel Scuba Fest 2015

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Living in the Riviera Maya is such a wonderful experience. You are surrounded by natural beauty, mild weather and with a cool mix of residents from all over the world. Something special about living in the Riviera is the variety of World-class events like music, fashion, movies, and theaters to sports events and specialized forums such as the Cozumel Scuba Fest 2015.

For years Cozumel has been one of the Top 5 Scuba destinations, and it is especially popular among North America due the proximity and low cost. Imagine getting access to places of extraordinary beauty for a fraction of the cost; no one can resist that! Cozumel has experiences for all levels, from introductory level to advanced routes, all in one place.

On this occasion Cozumel is host one of the most anticipated events of the year: Cozumel Scuba Fest 2015. This event brings together the best Scuba specialists, trainers and fans in order to share experiences, learn about new products and techniques and practice scuba diving.

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The event is started on December 8, 2015 and will end on December 13th. There are so many exciting conferences and workshops it´s like a feast for both scuba fanatics and the general public.

Cozumel Scuba Fest 2015: Experience amazing Scuba routes

The Cozumel Scuba Fest 2015 is not only about the keynote speakers and the Expo, there is also the opportunity to experience the best Scuba adventures. These spectacular experiences will make you wonder and make for amazing lifelong memories.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Route

Advanced divers route

Yucatan Peninsula Route:
9 days 4 Days 8 days
9 dives/ 1 night dive 8 dives / 1 sinkhole dive 4 days in Cozumel/ 4 days in the Yucatan Peninsula
429 USD 560 USD 1010 USD
Includes equipment, certification and official logbook. Includes equipment, OWD certification is Required

 Includes: night stays in Valladolid, Merida, Tulum and Cozumel; as well as equipment, certified guides, snacks and drinks.

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Cozumel Scuba Fest 2015: Keynote Speakers

The Cozumel Scuba Fest 2015 has a plethora of world-wide renown specialist, ready to share their expertise and knowledge not only of scuba diving but also about conservation, the experience of diving in underground rivers and sinkholes,  the importance of preserving the environment and the healing power of Scuba.

The Scuba Fest has a multidisciplinary team leaded by: Guillermo de Anda, Sergio Zambrano, Sylvia Earle and Jean-Michel Cousteau. If you want to know more about these experts, have a look at their bios here. This is a great opportunity to hear these professionals speak even if you are not a Scuba fan.

Cozumel Scuba Fest 2015: Expo and Trade Fair

On top of the amazing events programmed for the Cozumel Scuba Fest 2015 there will be an Expo Trade Fair with a complete exhibition of specialized articles, accessories and providers for scuba services. This will give visitors the opportunity to learn more about the latest in technology, diving equipment, underwater photography equipment, materials dive shops, and more.

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The greatest thing about this event is the opportunity to meet like-minded people as well as diving friendly organizations, institutions of environmental protection, specialized hotels and tourist destinations.

So, if you are already living in the area, do not miss the opportunity to see living legends like Jean-Michel Cousteau about talking his favorite topic: the sea. Cozumel is so much more than scuba and cruises: find everything that makes this quaint island an excellent retirement haven.

Contact our Buyer’s representatives or check out the amazing properties on our website to learn more about purchasing Real Estate in Mexico in a safe, legal manner. Here at Top Mexico Real Estate we are with you every step of the way, from dreaming about your new home all the way to helping make it a reality.

Top Mexico Real Estate, We Make it Happen!

Los Cabos Film Festival Returns for a 4th Edition

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Another edition of the Los Cabos International Film Festival has come to an end. The 4th edition wrapped up after several fun filled days of work and play which saw the best talent from the film industries of North America converge on this beautiful location. Not only did it feature a lot of national and international premieres but it was a great location to enjoy a festival and get some business done in one of Mexico´s top destinations.

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Among the talent on hand were: Liam Neeson, who spoke about his latest acting performance in Silence, the newest film from acclaimed director Martin Scorsese; Ewan McGregor, who was there to receive the Protagonist Award for his years of excellent acting; Oscar-winner Jared Leto, who helped honor director Jean-Marc Vallee with a career tribute award; and Alexander Skarsgard, who presented his new film The Diary of a Teenaged Girl. 

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Not only is Cabo a great place for a film festival and a vacation spot for celebrities, it’s the perfect location to retire outside of the United States. If you are want to enjoy your retirement years living in luxury here are a few reasons why you should choose Cabo.

  1. The oceans provide many activities to engage in and keep you active, including fishing, sailing and whale-watching.
  2. The Weather is beautiful almost all of the time. Except for the chance of bad weather during hurricane season you can expect to have consistent weather that boasts around 350 days of sun. The sunsets and sunrises are also spectacular – and you get to experience them every day.
  3. The people in Cabo are friendly and fully support and embrace tourism and foreigners living in their town. Many Mexicans settle in Cabo for the same reasons retirees do, and have thriving business that sell arts and crafts as well as restaurants that will ensure you eat well on a regular basis.

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The lifestyle offered in Los Cabos is first-rate, with opportunities to live modestly away from the tourist bustle. The peninsula has communication routes by land, sea and air, with some people using their own boats to find easily accessible ports. The proximity to the United States of Los Cabos is great for American retirees, with Los Angeles only a 2 hour flight from here. This is a place where a retiree can enjoy an excellent quality of life among some well established expat communities who can offer support and advice. Many are involved in sports, hobbies, and even business investments, so rest assured that you will stay active.

It is for all of the above and more that Los Cabos will remain as one of the most attractive places in Mexico for foreigners to come and enjoy their retirement. For more information about purchasing property in Cabo contact Top Mexico Real Estate. And remember…

 

We make it happen!