In a celestial spectacle that dazzles skygazers worldwide, Mexico is the primary host for the highly anticipated total solar eclipse 2024. Scheduled for April 8, 2024, this astronomical phenomenon promises awe-inspiring moments across all 32 states of the country.
In our ongoing series, “Beat the Heat,” we explore ways to stay cool and comfortable during the hot summer months in Mexico. With the scorching summer heat in full swing, finding ways to stay cool and comfortable is essential. Don’t miss our following blogs as we keep sharing creative ways to beat the heat and enhance you Mexico retirement journey.
In this article, we’ll discuss the power of plants in providing natural shade and keeping your Mexican home fresh, indoors and outdoors. Not only do these plants offer respite from the scorching sun, but they also add beauty and enhance the ambiance of your property.
The Cenote Route in Puerto Morelos is located in the beautiful Riviera Maya region of Mexico, this stunning route takes you through a series of cenotes while immersing you in the exuberant jungle of Puerto Morelos. In this article, we will provide recommendations of 3 cenotes perfect for your weekend getaway journey. Additionally, we will highlight the Mexico real estate opportunities in the area.
Keeping your house cool without skyrocketing energy consumption can be challenging in the scorching heat of a Mexican summer. At places like Merida Real Estate, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum Real estate, the temperatures often exceed 90°F (32°C) during the peak summer months. Therefore it’s crucial to find effective cooling solutions that are both environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
While unfortunate, it is a reality that thousands of Americans lose their passport every year. When it comes to matters of security and personal safety, passport loss is a hot button. Although it is barely 2% of American passports in circulation that are lost, it is still a considerable amount. Losing anything of value is never easy to deal with. If you lose your passport in Mexico, it is necessary to contact the right people so nobody can use your personal information. Identity theft is a pressing issue around the world, so make sure you act quickly as soon as you realize it is missing.
Photo: sipse.com
When you know for certain that your passport is missing, you should report it right away. You will have to report it to different sources such as the local police and the U.S. State Department – or your home country department. They will issue a new passport for you. When filing a report with the local police in Mexico, it is in your best interest to bring along a friend or someone who speaks fluent Spanish if you don’t. Many Mexican officials speak some basic English, but they won’t be able to fully explain the situation to you.
At the police station you will sign many documents to report the lost or stolen passport. You will need to get a duplicate copy of them all as you might need them further down the road. You can always also contact the consulate in order to figure out the best way to go about this process. The most important thing is to keep calm. A stolen or lost passport is an annoyance, but not something you cannot deal with timely. Once your report has been registered, you will need to apply for a new one.
This process can take anywhere between 10 to 15 days for an emergency replacement. If you have upcoming travel plans, you need to take this process into consideration. In some cases – and very unique emergency situations – the consulate can provide you with a new passport quicker than the stipulated times. However, you will need to schedule an appointment for this as there are no walk-ins allowed.
Should you ever lose your passport, there is no need to panic or worry. Both the police department in Mexico and the U.S. Consulates will provide you with support through the process. The best thing to do is to act right away. The sooner you do it, the faster you will receive your emergency passport to carry on with your travel plans. Following the necessary steps will make the process easier.
However, we highly recommend avoiding all of it completely by always keeping your important documents in a safe place – like home. If you live in Mexico, you should walk around with your temporary or permanent resident ID instead. If you are visiting – and thinking of purchasing a home here – we recommend you keep your passport always in a pocket with a zipper that is hard to reach for pick-pocketers.
Finding someone – anyone, who doesn’t like Mexican food is a rather difficult task. One of Mexico’s biggest contributions to the world is its culinary delights! Everyone in North America knows how delicious Mexican food is. Can you think of very many places that you have visited where you can’t get Mexican food? And we are not talking Taco Bell. Mexican food isn’t just tacos, burritos and tamales. It also includes fully prepared dishes that use fresh fish, pork and chicken as the main ingredient/course.
Mexico is noted on CNN’s Top 10 World-Best-Food list. CNN Travel boast that they “Celebrate the best cultural foods and lambaste the others”. Mexico’s unique cuisine is not only tasty, but quite healthy as well. By using such ingredients as peppers, avocados, limes and plenty of beans provide you with an abundance of antioxidants, proteins and other nourishing vitamins and minerals. It “Tastes great and is good for you!” What more do you need?
Anyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to try ‘real’ authentic Mexican dishes are missing out. You won’t get them from corporate chains or fast food joints. You need to search out places that are not so popular or not-so fancy looking buildings. Although, the best option is to visit Mexico itself. Mexican families who own or operate restaurants are the ones who usually prepare the most unique and authentic Mexican food.
CNN Travel site rated Tacos – soft shell, and Fajitas – mixed meats, being among India’s Masala Dosa (crepes), the UK’s Fish & Chips and Pecking Duck from China as some of the best foods in the world. However, Mexico has many prepared foods that most people have never tried let alone heard of. Such dishes as:
The above are only a few popular dishes that are “Must try” cuisines. The more common Mexican foods we are familiar with are tamales, tostados and guacamole. Mexico uses all the food groups to create their delicious dishes. In addition, poultry, pork and seafood seem to be the most popular choices.
Mexico’s world renowned cookeries started out over 7,000 years ago. Several Mesoamerican communities – tribes such as the Mayans, Olmec, Huastec, Zapotec and Purepecha to mention a few – are responsible for these now favorite cuisines. The Aztec Empire brought all these multi-ethnic societies together along with their culinary creations. Even though wheat and rice where introduced to Mexico’s culture, corn and chili peppers stayed as the main ingredients.
Enjoying authentic Mexican food either abroad or in your home town, its a unique and tasty experience. Every cuisine has a complimentary cordial that accents the experience. Mexico also has several adult beverages that are very popular and that’s cerveza – beer, and tequila. Add all these elements together, along with the colorful ambience that the Mexico’s culture brings and you have a perfect dining experience. “Disfruta!” (Enjoy).
Day of the dead is a big holiday we celebrate in Mexico. Some people even celebrate it in different countries all over the world. The day of the dead is exactly how it sounds. Mexicans take a day to remember all their loved ones that have past away. This particular day of course is important everyday but, here in Mexico people like to denote one day out of all the other days to be extra special. There are many different festivities that go on in Mexico too during the day of the dead. This ritual has been going on for thousands of years already.
“On October 31, All Hallows Eve, the children make a children’s altar to invite the angelitos (spirits of dead children) to come back for a visit. November 1 is All Saints Day, and the adult spirits will come to visit. November 2 is All Souls Day, when families go to the cemetery to decorate the graves and tombs of their relatives. The three-day fiesta is filled with marigolds, the flowers of the dead; muertos (the bread of the dead); sugar skulls; cardboard skeletons; tissue paper decorations; fruit and nuts; incense, and other traditional foods and decorations.”
The day of the dead is actually a happy day here in Mexico. As a matter of fact, Mexicans celebrate all the fun events they had with their past ancestors and people they are remembering on this day. Many people bring their favorite food and beverages to the cemetery and say prayers. This helps to speak with the souls of the dead. They also drop of flowers and photographs and anything that helps represent their life. Most people on this day go to the gravesites and clean around their graves. Moreover, some people even spend the night next to their loved ones grave or have a picnic beside it.
In addition, Mexicans also prepare an ofrenda, which is an altar they dedicate to the person they are remembering. They decorate this altars with traditional food, candies, candles and more. In Mexico, ofrendas are so important and meaningful that there are even contests. Basically, people dedicate to decorate an altar with objects that symbolizes a person. The result is actually amazing and ofrendas are really beautiful.
Also, public schools and different government offices prepare different arts and crafts on this day. This day is a big day in Mexico and it should not go without some sort of applause to your deceased. Some locations around Mexico even dress up and deceased or they wear seashells on their clothes, because they believe they will wake up the dead. Each person has his or her own way to celebrate this day and it is a neat holiday to be in Mexico for!
This will be the final article in a series of “Things you need to know before moving to Mexico: Adjusting to your new lifestyle”
In this segment we will be talking about adjusting to a new lifestyle after moving to Mexico. Saying goodbye to your old life and hello to a new chapter can sometimes take a little time. After finding a new home and settling in, getting familiar with your surroundings and meeting new people can be a bit frightening.
In the beginning, taking baby steps leads to long and very rewarding strides. Don’t be afraid to go out during the day and explore your new neighborhood. Try shopping at a few local markets for your fruits and vegetables. If you live in town, there are a variety of grocery stores to choose from and yes, there is a Walmart. Shopping is actually a great resource to find other expats roaming the aisles. Don’t be afraid to go up and nonchalantly introduce yourself as being new to the community.
When cruising up and down the streets of Playa del Carmen, walk into places like salons or barber shops and get a feel for the stylist. Check out several medical and dental offices and speak with the physician and dentist. It is always a good idea to establish a local doctor. Ask about their fee schedules and hours. Doing this is the norm in Mexico and is expected. Especially in a place like Playa, where there is an extremely large expat community that also had to adapt to a new lifestyle.
Some of the most likely places to meet people are the local cafes, restaurants and bar & grills. Even if you don’t indulge in adult spirits, just order up your favorite beverage and strike up a conversation with other North Americans. We have found that these types of establishments are an easy way to develop friends and/or casual acquaintances. You can also get online and find out where many of the North Americans or expats frequent. Another good way to get to know people is by joining a church. There are several around Playa del Carmen that worship in English.
If you participated with an organization like the Kiwanis, Rotary or other international clubs back in the states, then there are probably extensions of them here in Mexico as well. The ‘Seaside Rotary Club’ is a very active association and could be another way of meeting other transplants. Meeting people is the quickest way to get acclimated to the area and have it start to feel like you are part of the community. You might want to consider joining an expat lunch or dinner club. Go online and search social media sites like Facebook or Twitter for more information.
Getting to know the town of Playa del Carmen and its people really isn’t any different than doing the same thing back in the United States. The Mexican people are very friendly and willing to help in any way they can. It will be a little awkward in the beginning. You might at one time or another second guess your reasons for moving abroad. But when things do start to fall in place and you adapt to your new surroundings, you will wonder why you didn’t do this sooner. Choosing a new lifestyle is always a good idea!
“Settling in and finding your perfect home in Mexico”
After moving to Mexico and starting your new life, getting settled in will take a few weeks or possibly months. Looking for your first real home in Mexico will require you to search out an area that you feel works best for you and any accompanying companions. Talk with your Top Mexico realtor regarding your wants and needs. They will show you properties that will fit within your criteria.
It is very easy to get lost in the moment, especially in an unfamiliar environment and culture. Steady yourself and try to understand that selecting a home in a foreign country is much different than in the United States. It is highly advisable to spend a month or two renting in an area that you could be considering. Get to know what is available in the neighborhood. Establish communication with a few of the locals and most of all, make sure it fits your lifestyle.
After getting comfortable with your surroundings and you are ready to take the next step, here are several basic options to consider when purchasing a home in Mexico:
Playa del Carmen has plenty of surrounding communities and neighboring towns that have lots of new developments. Buying new construction does have its benefits. You can select your own colors, fixtures and in some cases, make minor changes to the floor plan. Preconstruction sales can also offer discounts that can equate to more bang for your buck. Your agent should have insight regarding new construction going on or planned in your desired area.
If you like a particular area and there really isn’t any current developments happening, there might be some new – unsold homes/condos not listed yet. Sometimes there are some finished properties that the sale(s) have fallen through and will be back on the market. Developers want to quickly unload them so they can move on to other projects. Again, your real estate agent can help you locate these types of homes/condos.
There are always plenty of well-built and establish homes/condos throughout the area. If you are somewhat open on a style and floor plan, there is a wide variety of inventory to choose from. Most of them come furnished, updated and turnkey. All you have to do is add bits and pieces of your own personality and ‘voilà’, you have a home! Buying in an established community can offer mature landscape, plenty of added amenities, and neighbors who can lend a helping hand getting you settled into your new neighborhood. This is a good recommendation when moving to Mexico.
No matter if you choose a home or condo, it will be the beginning of your new life. The tropical weather, beautiful Caribbean water brushing against white sand beaches, the swaying palms, and a lower cost of living will pamper anyone’s dream of utopia. You are almost there. Reach out and grab ahold of a piece of paradise. You will not regret moving to Mexico!
The third in a series of topics: “What to do with your current home and belongings”
Before retiring and moving to Mexico from your present homestead, lots of difficult decisions will need to be made. One of many is what to do with all your worldly possessions. If this includes owning a property, you need to decide if you are going to sell, rent or keep it for when you visit family and friends. I would suggest to sell it, especially if you are looking at purchasing a home in Mexico.
If you’re moving to Mexico and you make the decision to sell your current home, then hiring a good realtor should be on the top of your list of ‘things to do’. Having a “to do list” is another highly recommended element for a successful relocation. Once you find a qualified buyer, then the real work begins. But first, you will need to place your proceeds from the sale of your property into an account that will guarantee easy accessibility. When you arrive in Mexico and your dream home suddenly appears and falls directly into your lap, your money will need to be readily accessible.
The time has come for you to choose what or what not to keep. This includes, but is not limited to furniture, housewares and other miscellaneous items. Economically speaking, shipping furniture abroad usually doesn’t have any financial advantages. If you have any heirlooms of substantial size, it is recommended to pass them onto family members. You will most likely want to purchase stylish furniture that will coordinate with your newly acquired Mexico home.
Many of your kitchen ware and cooking aids that you are currently using in the United States aren’t always readily available in Mexico. So keep this in mind when selecting certain items like specialized utensils, thermometers, and pots and pans. I would suggest to pack and ship most of these types of things. But don’t go overboard by taking everything including the kitchen sink! If you have taken the time to shop in or around the Playa del Carmen area, you should have a good idea what is available.
If you are moving from a multi seasonal climate and have an abundance of cold weather clothing, leave it at home or get rid of it all together. Playa del Carmen has two temperatures and they are warm and hot. Heavy footwear or boot type shoes are also not necessary. A pair of tennis shoes, casual dress shoes, and plenty of flip flops and sandals are the norm. If you do get chilled in weather that dips slightly below 80 degrees, then a light hoody will be more than adequate for those ‘cooler’ tempered nights.
There are always a few knick knacks, personal pictures and crafty hobby materials that mean more than life to you. If they fit into a suitcase and stay within the given weight limit, then pack it and take them with you. You will probably have a surplus of inventory that needs to be transported. Take time to decide which items have first priority and take them on the first go ‘round. Usually 4 to 5 pieces of luggage per trip are manageable. Most people normally have to return back to the states for one reason or another. During this second trip, have your remaining items either boxed up or in suitcases and bring them back with you. Always check with your airline to be sure you know the exact size and weight limits. Just don’t stand there, get packing! Your new life is waiting for you!
Don’t forget to read our second series of topics “Making sure all your paperwork is in order”
