Mexi-Go! Magazine July 2012

REAL ESTATE | LIVING | TRAVEL | RETIREMENT

ISSUE 5 VOL 2 JULY 2012 WWW.MEXI-GO.CA

Summer fiestas Eco-resort in the Baja Dining out in Puerto Vallarta

Travel to Mexico! Retire in Mexico!

L I V E YO U R T R O P I C A L D R E A M! September 7 th & 8 th | 10-6pm Va ncouver Convention Cent re Ac ross from the Jack Poole Pl a z a Join Mexi-Go! this September 7 & 8 th at the first Mexico only travel and business expo in Vancouver, BC. Held during MexicoFest, the Mexi-Go! Travel & Trade Expo features 2 days of educational seminars, cultural events, exhibitors and much more...

SEMINARS - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

O pen to the p u b l i c !

Only $5/day admission with a percentage of proceeds donated to support the Lorena Ochoa Foundation to educate children in Mexico.

Pre -Register online for your free two-day pass.

mexi-goexpo.com

In partnership with:

Living in Mexico, Retiring to Mexico, Visas, Opening a business in Mexico, Healthcare, Buying Real Estate, Travel Tips, Destination Weddings, Mexican Cooking Demonstrations, Travel deals, Prizes, Tequila, live music and more... all while you browse our exhibitors to learn more about what this amazing countr y holds for you!

T R AV E L

RETIREMENT

INVESTMENT

R E A L E S TAT E

Editor-in-Chief

Madeline Milne

Editor

Moralea Milne

CREATIVE

MADELINE MILNE Editor-in-Chief, Art Director

MORALEA MILNE Editor

GARY R. BECK Food in Mexico

Madeline’s expertise in real

Moralea lives in Metchosin BC

First visiting Puerto Vallarta

estate marketing and passion

where she is an elected council-

in 1979, Gary has maintained

for life in Mexico is the founda-

lor, respected volunteer for

meticulous notes on every

tion on which Mexi-Go! is built.

local environmental groups and

dining experience he’s had in

Art Director

Madeline Milne

Living full time in Mexico brings

frequent contributor to the local

the past 30 years in Vallarta.

experience and real life skills

paper. When the rain and wind

Gary is a regular contributor

Brad Hopwood

to the creative process. When

get to be too much, Moralea

for many local Puerto Vallarta

Contributors

Gary R. Beck

she’s not exploring new parts of

heads to Mexico, where she

newspapers and websites as well

Mexico, you can find Madeline

finds pleasure in the unique flora

as Sunset Magazine and Zagat.

Madeline Milne

under her palapa, poolside, with

and fauna, the beaches and the

Gary publishes the popular PV

Wendy Rains

a good book and her posse of

highlands and in the warmth and

Restaurant Guide, Beck’s Best.

Chihuahuas. She divides her time

comfort of the Mexican culture,

“Exploring Puerto Vallarta’s rich

Linda Neil

between Vancouver, BC and

food and people.

array of eateries is exhilarating.”

David MacLean

Beck says.

Photography

Joel Hansen

Madeline Milne

Moralea Milne

Mexico.

Distribution

Maxwell Hansen-Milne

ADVERTISING AND SALES Garth Watson | Sales Director garth@mexi-go.ca Gabriel Jones | Riviera Nayarit gabriel@mexi-go.ca Sandra Reed | Yucatan & Riviera Maya sandra@mexi-go.ca

WENDY RAINS Contributor

DAVID MACLEAN Contributor

JOEL HANSEN Contributor

Internationally noted Architectural

David is a Toronto based real

Living in Mexico has provided

Designer, Journalist, and

estate agent. Previously he

Joel with the opportunity to

Environmentalist Wendy Rains has

enjoyed success as an actor and

golf badly and surf even worse,

made her home in Todos Santos,

stand-up comedian. He has

but he gets to do it all with his

B.C. S. for the past ten years. She

toured Canada and the States,

family, while living in the country

currently hosts the popular Cabo

and travelled as far as China,

he loves. His ten year old son’s

Mil radio program, Todos Santos

where he acted as on-board host

smug ability to learn Spanish

Today, and her digital newsletter,

and entertainer for a cruise down

has encouraged him to learn the

Baja Tips Weekly, touts “Solid

the Yangzee River. Like many

language, and he continues to

Advice and Tips with a Twist”.

others, David has fallen in love

struggle towards that modest

www.buildinginbaja.com,

with San Miguel de Allende, and

goal.

www.wendyrains.com,

he presently conducts real estate

www.facebook.com/mexi-goproperties

facebook.com/todossantostoday,

and cultural tours of the area. For

www.twitter.com/mexigoproperty

www.LTECO.org

more info: www.livinginsanmiguel.com

4 Mexi-Go! July 2012

Joel Hansen | Business Development joel@mexi-go.ca MARKETING AND PR Veronica Rivas

veronica@mexi-go.ca

CONTACT US! info@mexi-go.ca

www.twitter.com/mexigomag www.mexi-go.ca Mexi-Go! is published by Mexi-Go Properties Inc. Copyright (2012)

Upcoming Events!

Across Mexico there are exciting cultural, travel, food and investment events that are worth a visit. Here are some of our top picks!

FIESTAS DE LA VENDIMIA AUGUST 2-19,2012 The 22nd Annual Wine festival takes place in Ensenada, Baja For nearly three weeks every August, wine aficionados will attend wine tastings, savour gourmet meals and attend workshops and concerts. The two century long wine tradition of the region is the focus of this event. The Guadalupe Valley is just one of seven valleys between Ensenada and Tecate that are dedicated to the cultivation of grapes.

The valleys produce 90% of all Mexican wines. It’s a time for celebration and‌ wine tasting!

MARIACHI AND CHARRERIA FESTIVAL AUG 29-SEPT 9, 2012 Serenading mariachis and charros (cowboys) scattered across Mexico and the world return to the motherland, Jalisco state, for the annual Guadalajara International Mariachi & Rodeo Festival. Admire their typical wide-brimmed hats and fine regalia at concerts, parades and contests. The National Charro Championship reveals Mexican cowboy skills such as cattle herding and astonishing lasso feats.

DISCOVER CENTRAL MEXICO Affordable Luxury Homes | Tropical Gardens Perfect Climate | Romantic Village Charm Come Join 10,000 Canadians Who Make Ajijic Their Home TRUDIE NELSON - YOUR CANADIAN REALTOR

Trudieannenelson@yahoo.ca www.eagerrealty.com

MEXI-GO! TRAVEL & TRADE EXPO | SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2012 Co-produced with the Mexico Tourism Board and ProMexico, this event will bring the best of Mexico to Canada in a two-day event at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

A perfect opportunity to learn more about travel destinations, business opportunities, real estate, culture, food and music. More information and details at www.mexi-goexpo.com

CERVANTINO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OCTOBER 3-21, 2012 Often claimed as the most important cultural event in Mexico, the Cervantino International Festival in Guanajuato features avantgarde artistic performances and exhibitions of fine, classic and modern art. Countries from around the world are represented, with over two thousand national and international artists. You will find classical music and electronic rhythms, along with folkloric and contemporary dance, as well as plays and multimedia shows. Cinema, visual arts, workshops and activities for the kids can also be enjoyed throughout the festival. www.guanajuato.travel/Cervantino

www.mexi-go.ca 5

CONTACT US! Do you have comments? A story to share? Have you made the move to Mexico and want to let us know how great it’s been? Share your wisdom with us! By all means - send us an email - we’d love to hear from you!

Magazine@Mexi-Go.ca

Hola!

July in Mexico is a hot mess. Its rainy and muggy and the mosquitoes seem to be more aggressive than usual. Roads are washed out and plazas are flooded. Tourists tend to stay home and even the expat community heads north for some relief from the weather. I’m not going to lie - some days are frighteningly hot and humid and accomplishing much after 10am seems impossible. But the rolling thunder storms and the lightning displays are surreal. Mother nature puts on a laser show nearly every night - and usually only at night.

The mornings start fresh and the hillsides are smothered in lush green jungle, overflowing with plant life and an abundance of birds, bees and butterflies. The baby Geckos start to emerge and make their unique chirping noises. Mangos and bananas ripen in our back yards and the garden patch produces cucumbers and tomatoes and onions by the salad bowl full.

facebook.com/MexiGoMagazine twitter.com/MexiGoMag

If ever there was an Eden of abundance it is in the mountains outside of Guadalajara. The farmland on the drive between here and Puerto Vallarta have a range of greens that Crayola can’t compete with. Everything has come back to life and is intensely vibrant.

Despite the rain and the heat, the summers in Mexico are gorgeous and for those of us not in a hurry, can be an excellent, slower-quieter time of year to explore this country. Many tourist destinations offer big discounts or locals’ pricing. There are fiestas around the country and the warm waters in the Sea of Cortez and on the east coast bring an abundance of fish and sea life to explore.

For many in Canada, summer has barely started, I know first hand of some people who have lit their wood stoves as late as July 15th this year. Brrrr.... perhaps a discounted vacation to Mexico will bring you some much needed melatonin!

If you can’t make it to Mexico this summer but you are in Vancouver, BC this September stop by the Mexi-Go! Travel and Trade Expo for information on some great destinations, travel deals and real estate opportunities. We have confirmed San Miguel de Allende, Sonora, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit already! www.mexi-goexpo.com If we don’t see you here, we hope to see you there!

COMING SOON! This July/August we will relaunch our real estate listing and rentals site with information on travel, real estate and living in Mexico. Stay tuned! www.mexi-go.ca

Safe travels, Madeline editor@mexi-go.ca

TRAVEL & TRADE EXPO

SUBSCRIBE TODAY Love the feel of paper in your hands? The ease of reading a magazine on your deck? Then subscribe to Mexi-Go! Magazine today and enjoy the real thing!

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6 Mexi-Go! July 2012

SEPTEMBER 7&8 VANCOUVER BC Join us in Vancouver this fall for a 2 day expo that brings you information on Mexico for travel, for retirement and for investment.

More information at: www.mexi-goexpo.com

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MEXI-GO! ONLINE MAGAZINE @ www.mexi-go.ca www.mexi-go.ca 8

Magic & Culture

IN OAXACA DE JUAREZ

O

axaca City is the capital of the state with the same name.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, the historic center and the archeological zone of Monte Alban offer a cultural experience rich in colours, flavours and textures. Sitting over 5,000 feet above sea level, Oaxaca is surrounded by lush green jungles. The first Spanish expedition arrived in 1521 and the city has enjoyed a position of power since.

Nicknamed “la Verde Antequera” (the green Antequera) due to its prior name (Nueva Antequera) and the number of streets and buildings built from a local green Cantera stone, the city’s main attractions are the verdant landscapes of the Oaxaca Valley, and the architectural and cultural charms of the city itself. There are major festivals throughout the year that attract both foreign and Mexican tourists.

The most prominent cultural event in the summer is the month long festival of Guelaguetza, also known as the Fiestas de los Lunes del Cerro (Festivals of Mondays at the Hill). The “Hill” or teocalli is the Cerro del Fortín, which was the scene of the annual rites to the goddess Centeótl, or goddess of Corn. The ritual would end with the sacrifice of a young maiden chosen to represent the goddess. This rite was prohibited by the Spanish after the Conquest, who also destroyed the teocalli. In its place, they constructed the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmen, now known as Carmen Alto.

The festival grew over time to be the largest and most anticipated for the town. In 1932, during the 400th birthday celebrations of Oaxaca City many regional festivities were combined, adding traditional dances, music, regional cuisine and Margarita Santaella as the first Miss Oaxaca, in addition to the religious rites. This first Guelaguetza was such a hit that organizers decided to repeat it every year on all the Mondays of July. On the streets of Oaxaca City, there are parades with children and giant paper mache puppets. It is a time of great celebration, with large crowds of tourists and Oaxacans who have moved away return for the festivities.

On December 23rd every year another very popular traditional event, albeit a bit a little odd, is Noche de Rábanosor (Night of the Radishes).

Artisans create designs carved into large radishes, often decorated with other plant materials. The event only lasts a few hours but draws most of the city’s population to the main square to look at the fabulous vegetables.

The event is derived from a Dominican Christmas tradition, when the Monks would prepare a large dinner on the night of December 23rd.

9 Mexi-Go! July 2012

To decorate the tables, servants of the monks would carve radishes and adorn them with flowers and other plants. This grew in popularity until a special market came about to sell the radishes. Now sponsored by the city, the Radish Market has grown into a major cultural occasion and includes a competition in which the best radishes are judged on originality, technical skill and beauty.

While the city is famous for it’s many Colonial buildings, one of the most impressive is the Basílica de la Soledad. The Basílica is the religious center of Oaxaca, and its Virgin is the patroness of the entire state. Adjoining the church is a former convent with a small but charming museum in back. A huge celebration on or around December 18th honors the Virgin, attracting penitents from all over Oaxaca. With a high Baroque facade and its heavily gilded interior, the concave facade of the church projecting forward from the building is unique in Mexico’s religious architecture.

The museum offers an interesting range of items from the highest quality to small trinkets perfect for souvenirs. The Basílica’s upper plaza has an outdoor patio and theater

OAXACA CITY

with steps that serve as seats. As an added bonus when visiting the Basílica, it is traditional to eat ice cream supplied by the many vendors in the lower plaza in front of the church.

If you wish to escape the crowds of the city, then a day trip to Monte Albán is a must! Only 9kms from Oaxaca, the impressive ruins of Monte Albán are visible from anywhere in the central part of the Valley. Monte Albán sits on the top of a mountain that rises from between two valleys. From here you can see all that lies between you and the distant mountains. Once a holy city of more than 30,000 Zapotecs, it is the area’s most interesting and extensively excavated ruin, yet it is estimated that only about 10% of the site has been uncovered.

Starting around 2000 B.C., village-dwelling people of unknown origin inhabited the Oaxaca valleys. Between 800 and 500 B.C., a new ceramic style appeared, indicating an influx of new societies, now called Zapotec. Around 500 B.C., these people began the monumental exercise of leveling the top of a mountain, where they would build Monte Albán. Very little of the original structures remain; they’ve either been obscured beneath newer construction or had their stones reused for other buildings.

Many of the artifacts excavated at Monte Albán in over a century of archaeological exploration can be seen at the Museo Regional de Oaxaca in Oaxaca City. The museum houses, among other treasures, many of the objects discovered in 1932 by Alfonso Caso in Monte Albán’s Tomb 7, a Zapotec tomb that was opportunistically reused for the burial of wealthy and prominent Mixtec individuals. Their burial was accompanied by some of the most spectacular burial offerings of any site in the Americas consisting of 500 pieces of gold, amber, and turquoise jewelry, as well as silver, alabaster, and bone art objects.

No matter the time of year or your budget, a visit to Oaxaca City and its surrounding towns and ruins will bring you a glimpse of the authentic, aboriginal Mexican culture, while offering you the finest in crafts, food and scenery.

TOP LEFT TO RIGHT: TOURISTS SHOPPING FOR THE LOCAL HANDICRAFTS; GUELAGUETZA; MONTE ALBÁN; MUSEO REGIONAL DE OAXACA

www.mexi-go.ca 10

BAJA ESCAPE

Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo & Waterfalls

by Wendy Rains

T

here’s a lot more to explore around the mountain village of Santiago than the little zoo. Rancho Sol de Mayo, located at an entrance to the Biosphere in the Sierra La Laguna mountains, is owned by a lovely gentleman named Prisciliano Elehazar de La Pena Ruiz. I visited the area with friends, Bryan and Sergio Jáuregui, from Todos Santos Eco Adventures, and we stayed in a most charming two bedroom “mud house”, a short drive from the trailhead. But don’t let that description mislead you. It’s quite a sophisticated design, loaded with delightful details and personality. Prisciliano built it himself. He mixed clay, sand, and water together on a sheet, and danced on it. When it hardened, he added some fiber - the remains of palm leaves. Forming balls from the mixture, he left them in the sun for five to six days. If they didn’t break when thrown against a hard stone, the bricks were ready to build with.

www.mexi-goexpo.com

TRAVEL & TRADE EXPO CONNECTING MEXICO TO CANADA

September 7TH & 8TH, 2012 Vancouver Convention Centre

Live Your Tropical Dream!

Travel to Mexico! Retire to Mexico!

Join us at the Mexi-Go! Travel &Trade Expo for 2 days of educational seminars on living in Mexico, retiring to Mexico, opening a business in Mexico and much more!

Enjoy exclusive travel deals, great prizes, food, tequila, mariachi, traditional dancers while you browse our exhibitors to learn more about what this amazing country holds for you!

Admission: $5 with $1 donated to the Lorena Ochoa Foundation. Register online for your free two-day pass.

In Partnership With:

MexicoFest

TRAVEL INVESTMENT RETIREMENT REAL ESTATE 11 Mexi-Go! July 2012

Prisciliano’s great grandparents, Abelino de la Pena, and Dona Lucrecia Lucero, emigrated from Spain to Santiago in 1910, and built the ranch.

There’s a restaurant and overnight accommodations walking distance to one of the most magnificent waterfalls anywhere in Baja. You might get lucky and experience little tilapia fish nibbling away the callouses on your feet!

Breakfast is served at the ranch’s restaurant, run by Cosme Gonzalez, whose family came over with the Jesuits between the 1600-1700’s. He was born and raised in nearby Miraflores.

There are guided horse tours for 250 pesos an hour, and tours to the top of the mountain where you can arrange in advance to have a pig killed and prepared at your campsite. We also learned about the horse races held every fifteen days in the area, and that the annual Santiago Festival is held July 25th, and the Miraflores Festival runs December 10th-12th.

Both are worth attending, in part to see the talented furniture makers in the area.

Sol de Mayo has accommodations for groups or individuals, with six separate pairings of casitas, consisting of one bedroom with bath, and separate kitchen casitas with roof decks for pitching tents or enjoying the views. They are immaculate and creatively designed by a team of architects from Guadalajara. There is another home available for rent, closer to the trailhead that was formerly the original restaurant. Beds and sheets are provided, but you must bring everything else. Each compound has an outdoor ramada –covered area for outdoor dining.

GETTING THERE AND STAYING THERE! www.ranchoecologicalsoldermayo.com soldermayo@gmail.com | (+1-52) 624-130-2055 Todos Santos Eco Adventures tosea.net | +1 619-446-6827 (USA number)

Pearl of the Pacific

By Sabrina Wang Mazatlán, otherwise known as the “Pearl of the Pacific”, is a city that has shed its military past and matured into a splendid resort town on the Pacific coast. Once a favourite destination among old Hollywood, Mazatlán has gone through periods of lull and boom to arrive at its golden status today. The key to its sweet success? A twenty km-long beach paired with a colonial-style city and all topped with an icing made of good old Mexican hospitality. Those who are not familiar with Mazatlán start their journey in the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) where tourist-filled shops, resort hotels and restaurants help you ease into the atmosphere of the city. In a way, Zona Dorada is a nice little appetizer, one that leaves you craving for more. The entrée is none other than the noble Pueblo Viejo (old town) where real life happens. Here, you’ll walk on cobbled streets lined with European-inspired buildings that command deep respect with the stories behind their crumbling façade.

The big crowd-pleasers here are your typical water-activities such as fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and jet skiing. To get away from the conventional, visit the Acurio Mazatlán (Mazatlán Aquarium) and watch the sea lion, diving and bird shows or sample fresh brews at the Pacifico beer brewery. On days when you don’t feel like taking to the water, why not watch local clavadistas do so in dramatic cliff diving performances?

The turbulent sea is a great stage that will generate one gasp after another.

http://www.gomazatlan.com

www.mexi-go.ca 12

Life In The Sun

By Kristina Hewlett and Dr. Steven Gordon

Top 10 products and medical laser treatments recommended for the prevention and treatment of sun damage: Whether you are enjoying the summer sun at home or investing in year-round sunshine in a tropical paradise, here are a few truths about sun protection and a few tips to keep your skin healthy:

SPF Coola Mineral SPF 30-45

“I use sunscreen every morning, I’m protected” Even broad-spectrum sunscreens that claim to be long lasting provide protection for only two to three hours. Sun protection needs to be reapplied regularly throughout the day, and more so when sweating or playing in the water.

Colorescience SPF 30 Sunforgettables Mineral Powder Dermaquest Tinted ZinClear SPF 30 Keys Island Rx SPF 30

“It’s cloudy, I don’t need sunscreen” Up to 80% of UV rays can travel through cloud, fog and haze.

Sunburn, free radical production and photo aging all still occur on overcast days.

TOPICAL ANTIOXIDANT SERUMS (free radical scavengers)

“I tan easily, so my skin is safe in the sun” A tan does little to protect against sunburn or skin cancer — tans and sunburn are sun damage. A deep dark tan is only equivalent to an SPF 4 sunscreen, which does nothing to protect you from long-term damage.

“Sun exposure is needed to absorb healthy Vitamin D” The skin can only make a limited amount of Vitamin D and after 10 minutes it is saturated. “For a healthy immune system I recommend all my patients take 2000 IU of liposomal Vitamin D with K2 year-round and limit their sun exposure to a few minutes daily.” says Dr. Katie Branter, ND of Clear Skin Victoria Laser & Wellness Group.

Dermaceutic Serum C25 Vitamin C , A, E, B, B5 & Polyphenols Dermaquest C-Lipoic Antioxidant Serum

MEDICAL TREATMENTS Cutera LimeLight – an IPL device for the treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions.

“Skin cancer is not a major risk.” One in eight people in Canada will get skin cancer in their lifetime.

It is one of the most common forms of cancer. When skin cancer is detected early, it is not necessarily life threatening, but surgery can leave disfiguring scars. If left untreated squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma can spread and become deadly.

Cutera Laser Genesis- a laser device that protects the epidermis, targets microvasculature and stimulates collagen production.

“How can I enjoy the sun and have healthy skin?” The first is to stay covered. Clothes provide chemical-free and inexpensive sun protection. Most important is a wide-brimmed hat that keeps the sun off your face and ears. It is important to remember that the sun is the strongest and most harmful between 10 am and 4 pm, so covering up and seeking shade when possible is the best protection.

Cutera Pearl Fusion- an ablative laser therapy combination that results in epidermal renewal and dramatic reduction in wrinkles as well as treating uneven skin texture, pigmentation and sun damage.

Secondly, invest in quality sunscreen or sunblock with “broad” or “full spectrum SPF of 30-45 (higher than SPF 45 just means more chemicals and a false sense of protection) and use them every day. These will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. (UVA breaks down the collagen and skin structure yearround, even through windows even during the winter months and UVB causes sunburn predominantly during peak summer hours).

Topical Metvix® in combination with Aktilite® -an LED red light technology device for the treatment of actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell carcinoma.

13 Mexi-Go! July 2012

For more information on products or treatments contact us at 250.590.4295 or www.clearskinvictoria.com

INTRODUCING:

Café con Leche

By Laurie Roberts I love Mexico and as you’ll find out, I have connections that run very deep with Mexico’s beauty and diversity. I look forward to sharing a variety of themes from my years of living in Mexico as a Canadian who was married into a Mexican family.

My first visit to Mexico was when I was 15 years old. I was with my parents on a Sun Tour through the United States with a half day cross over to Tijuana for shopping. It was, for many, just another shopping day, but for me it began a love affair with a people and country.

A few years later, when I returned home from Costa Rica, I met and married my Mexican husband who was delighted with his blond Canadian wife who could speak his language, eat chili, dance salsa and loved to entertain and cook together. Our lives were transformed when our little daughter, Ieesha, made her entrance and we left for Mexico as soon as possible to show her off to his family who hadn’t seen him for years.

While caring for his father and hearing his daily pleas for his son to return “home” (even though he had been in Canada for over 20 years) we decided to move to Mexico full time. Our daughter began her bicultural, bilingual education from birth and being somewhat of a cultural anthropologist-sociologist-linguist type I took notes and documented many interesting developmental processes as I watched her growing up.

Café con Leche comes from one of my favorite experiences with my daughter. After being in Mexico a few months, I noticed that she was coloring the people’s faces and hands brown which she had never done before. One morning she looked up at us and asked, “What color am I?” Without missing a beat, Papa answered, “Oh mijita, eres mi café con leche mi amor”. (Oh my little daughter, you are my coffee with milk.)

She was totally thrilled with that answer as she loved dipping her bolillo (crusty bun) in his morning coffee.

I wish our world was so pure as children’s hearts who paint and dream without the pain and judgment of prejudice. I love my dear friend Jerry Goebel’s phrase: “Prejudice cannot withstand relationships”.

My hope is that I can inspire you and build relationships through stories about the country I love here at Café con Leche!

Laurie Roberts lives in the Lake Chapala area and is the Executive Director of ESC WORKS! International Inc. a local language school www.escint.com Laurie will write a column in each issue of Mexi-Go! on life in Mexico. If you have questions or comments for Laurie you can reach her at laurie@mexi-go.ca

www.mexi-go.ca 14

Dining in Puerto Vallarta

By Gary R. Beck

M

ost travelers explore the region’s offerings for dining experiences in various cuisines. Puerto Vallarta has slowly risen to the top in culinary opportunities throughout Mexico. Many surveys rank the Bahía de Banderas area second only to the capital city, passing Guadalajara. Here we are blessed with an array of cultures and cuisines ranging from traditional Mexican to gourmet Mexican, Spanish to Italian, Japanese to Indian, South American to German, Austrian and Swiss.

That is only the beginning. Prices range from budget like taco stands, street vendors and small cafés to reasonable and moderate, found much lower in price than comparable cities throughout the world. Expensive restaurants in the Puerto Vallarta area offer much more than food; rather an entire evening experience: many places glowing with ambiance, decorated with beautiful local art accentuated by talented performers offering fine music, resulting in a most pleasurable event at prices lower than one has been accustomed.

It is not uncommon to enter a small eatery and discover the chef/owner Stay & Play Partners

velasvallarta.com

36 Hole Complex Jack Nicklaus Signature Tom Weiskopf Signature

18 Hole Complex Joe Finger Design grandvelas.com

hotelcasavelas.com

crownparadise.com

marriott.com

marival.com

Host site NCAA Team Championship 2001 EMC World Cup 2002 Champions Tour Blue Agave Classic 2006 Taylormade / Adidas international Pro Ams 2001- 2011 Bridgestone Pro Am 2001 - 2011

15 Mexi-Go! July 2012

marivalresidences.com

/marinavallartaclubdegolf /vistavallartaclubdegolf

www.vallartagolfclubs.com

sunsetplaza.com.mx

is from Italy and he makes his own pasta and pizza dough. Very fresh local ingredients are used in every creation, from fruits and vegetables to meats and seafood, adding a vibrant explosion of flavors and smells.

All ingredients are made safe though washing in purified water. Support is extended to the Jaliscan farmers who work long hard hours under the blazing sun, producing crops as their families have done for many decades.

For diners who have an interest in learning more about the cuisine of Mexico, consider branching out from the usual tacos and enchiladas when visiting the myriad of places offering good home-cooked traditional food. Have you sampled gringas, sopes, volcanes, molcajete dishes, enmoladas, chilaquiles and molé?

NotMagazine all chiles are hot and Mexi-Go! hotter. Poblano [as in chile relleno] and smoky chipotle [especially in a cream sauce] are ranked on the mild side, yet enhance the preparations with unique flavor. Menudo and pozole are two popular creations enjoyed by the locals and daring gringos.

In addition to hundreds of locally grown vegetables, observe the fruits available for snacks, garnishes, salads, smoothies and desserts: mango, papaya, pineapple, pear, guava, strawberry, cantaloupe, watermelon, lime, apple, banana, coconut, passionfruit, starfruit, tamarind, orange, tangerine, coconut and guayaba. Carmen Miranda’s hat is plenty packed.

Perusing Italian menus one finds pastas including: fusilli, fettuccine, linguine, lasagna, rigatoni, tagliatelle, pappardelle, spaghetti, cannelloni, seashell, butterfly, gnocchi, tortellini, vermicelli, many of which are made in the restaurant’s kitchen. Various breads as baguettes, ciabatta and focaccia may be freshly baked.

Banderas Bay is one of the world’s largest bays, measuring 26 miles from east to west and 20 miles from north to south. The bay starts to the North in Punta Mita which is also the end of the Sierra de Vallejo mountains and, to the south, ends in Cabo Corrientes, part of the foothills of the Sierra del Cuale mountain range. Logically, Puerto Vallarta teems with fresh fish and seafood. Often found are: tilapia, huachinango [red snapper], dorado [mahi mahi], sea bass, eel, marlin, oyster, clam, mussel, trout, salmon, octopus, crab, lobster, langostino [crayfish], halibut, squid, scallop, tuna and shrimp. Whether eaten raw, grilled, broiled, baked, smoked or sauced with anything from a creamy cilantro to ajillo garlic chile, the freshest fish available is a treat to the taste buds.

There is no need to subsist on “United States-style” hamburgers and pizza. When visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, relax and explore the vast array of surprising treats right here at your fingertips.

RETIRE IN PARADISE! CLIMATE IS PERFECT | LOW COST OF LIVING GOLF 12 MONTHS OF THE YEAR JOIN THE OVER 10,000 CANADIANS ALREADY HERE!

SANDI ALLIN BRISCOE

1ST CHOICE HOMES LAKESIDE SALLIN@LAGUNA.COM.MX MAKE ME YOUR LAKE CHAPALA CONNECTION! WWW.AJIJICCHAPALA.COM.MX

www.mexi-go.ca 16

Enjoying income from Rental Properties

by Linda Neil

Many hotel-condominiumum residences, such as Marival Residences in Nuevo Vallarta offer benefits for full ownership and rental pool properties.

Be sure to ask your real estate agent for more details.

Everyday more and more foreigners, people from the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, have found Mexico to be an ideal location for healthy retirement. Others have come to Mexico as a result of job transfers.

Others still, taking advantage of electronic and wireless communications, seek out delightful areas in which to live and work from their in-home offices and studios.

Many newcomers prefer to rent or lease a house or an apartment while they shop for the ideal location and home for purchase. This increase in demand for housing has made the acquisition of rental properties an increasingly attractive investment. What better and more secure income can be found than a house or apartment complex which will produce rental income for many years? Especially when it is most likely increasing in value at the same time!

Investors can pay all cash, use funds from IRA accounts or even, possibly, negotiate seller financing to establish solid long-tem gains.

Rental contracts can be simple and should always contain an arbitration clause. Just as in a rental in the U.S. or Canada, a security deposit is a good idea. For the real estate investor who is thinking of acquiring properties for rental there are a couple of important considerations: one is the way to hold title and the other is how to declare and pay taxes on income.

HOLDING TITLE: A Mexican Corporation can be established to hold title to all NONresidential property. This can mean apartments and houses which will be used entirely for rental and/or commercial purposes. The expense involved in accounting and maintaining a corporation is substantial, however and may be too expensive if the investor has only a few properties. For properties owned by the corporation an IVA tax of 15% of the value of the construction is charged at acquisition, in addition to the 2% acquisition tax. Corporate tax declarations must be filed monthly and estimated taxes paid monthly. Property taxes will be charged at a rate for commercial not residential properties, as will utilities. Stock in the corporation, if sold or transferred, is subject to an income tax (ISR) similar to that paid by an individual on the gain on the sale of a house.

The alternative to the Mexican corporation is that the buyer hold title in fee simple, or in trust (fideicomiso), if the property is located in the restricted zone. In fee simple, property will need to be registered with the Secretary of Foreign Relations but has no additional annual title fee.

In the trust, the annual cost to hold title will be the trustee fees.

Utilities and property taxes will generally be charged at a residential rate, rather than a commercial rate.

a place to visit... a place to call home.

Hotel Villa Amor Sayulita 17 Mexi-Go! July 2012

MX (011-52) 329-291-3010 CAN&US +1 (602) 748-4144 reservations@HotelVillaAmorSayulita.com www.HotelVillaAmorSayulita.com

Annual maintenance, fees for accounting and legal services, as well as taxes, will generally be less for up to seven properties in fee simple where permitted, or in trust (fideicomiso) than the costs generated by the properties held by the Mexican corporation.

paid.

PAYING TAXES:

It has never been simpler to enjoy a return on investment, monthly income and pay taxes in accordance with the law.

Mexico’s tax law is patterned after those of the United States and Canada and states that: “Physical persons (individuals) and legal persons (companies) who are residents of Mexico and who receive income in this country, are obligated to register with Hacienda, declare their income and pay their taxes, regardless of the source; and......... “Physical and legal persons who are residents in a foreign country (outside Mexico) must declare their income and pay their taxes on all income generated in Mexico”.........

If the properties are held in a Mexican corporation, the Mexican accountant will prepare the monthly declarations and estimated taxes will be

If in a bank trust, a Mexican accounting firm can perform all necessary tax and accounting services including the monthly filings, tax payments and can provide the foreign owner with accounting and documents for obtaining tax credits on U.S. or Canadian taxes.

Linda Neil is founder and CEO of the settlement company®, consultants and land use professionals specializing in legal and tax matters affecting real properties in Mexico. The company provides escrow services and supervises the transfer of titles. Ms. Neil, a California licensed real estate broker with more than 35 years experience in Mexican real estate, is a member of AMPI, NAR and FIABCI. Ms. Neil is also the founder and CEO of LindaNeilProperies, a full-service real estate office in La Paz. For further information, e-mail: info@settlement-co.com or info@lindaneil. com or visit us at: www.settlement-co.com or www.lindaneil.com

www.mexi-go.ca 18

PUERTO VALLARTA, RIVIERA NAYARIT, SONORA & SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE are confirmed destinations at the Mexi-Go! Expo.

Other Exhibitors and Sponsors include: • Mexico Tourism Board • GoldCorp • ProMexico • Vancouver Sun | Canwest News • Air Transat • Flight Centre • Signature Sunwing • Westjet • Velas Vallarta | Puerto Vallarta

19 Mexi-Go! July 2012

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Grupo Del Mar | Nayarit Pacific Boutique Properties | Nayarit The Fives Residences | Playa del Carmen Paradise Village | Puerto Vallarta CostaBaja | La Paz Allende Properties | San Miguel de Allende AMPI National Association Int’l Surgical Association | Medical Tourism Maz for Sale and Rent | Mazatlan Ventanas Residences | Los Cabos I Go Yucatan | Merida And many more...

LEARN MORE ABOUT MEXICO FRIDAY AND SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH & 8TH Vancouver Convention Centre Downtown Vancouver | Waterfront Station

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES for real estate agents and the travel industry to meet with representatives from state tourism agencies, developers, hotels, and others in the promotion of Mexico.

OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC $5 admission or pre-register for a free ticket online at www.mexi-goexpo.com

Seminars held hourly on a variety of topics.

Check www.mexi-goexpo.com for updates as we get closer to the event.

www.mexi-go.ca 20

Keith Miller’s San Miguel: A PLACE TO CALL HOME

By David MacLean

Canadian born painter Keith Miller came under San Miguel de Allende’s intoxicating spell early on. Hearing about San Miguel’s reputation as “an artist’s town,” he embarked on an investigative journey here in 1984. “I was very attracted to the fact that people came here to live, and to practice their art,” he said, describing his immediate affection for Mexico’s colonial jewel. But then San Miguel has had a long history of being “artist friendly.” American Stirling Dickinson adopted it in the 30’s, founding an art institute, and U.S. vets were welcomed here after the Second World War to take free art classes.

Asked if he was smitten with “San Miguel fever” Miller replied, “I guess I didn’t realize it at the time, but clearly the town stayed in my mind, and I decided I wanted to come back here for good.” The affable Miller returned in 1990 to put down roots. In those early days real estate could be had for a song, and Miller acquired two

houses. He eventually sold one, but still lives in the other, which also houses his studio.

An artist who exhibits internationally, Miller is known for his stark and beautiful still life paintings. “I’m interested in natural things from the environment, in landscapes and botanical subjects” he explained. And San Miguel’s lush countryside provides no end of inspiration. “Here in San Miguel, the countryside comes right up to the town.”

A seasoned world traveler, Miller could have settled anywhere, but he chose San Miguel. “It has a Spanish speaking culture, which I was drawn to,” he explained, “but it’s not completely foreign, as there’s a large English speaking community here.” Miller is referring to the fact that San Miguel is home to more than 10,000 expatriates. And as with many Canadians, the opportunity to escape the bitter winters was also motivation. “I knew that San Miguel had this amazing climate; it’s truly perfect here.”

The town is also famous for the alluring, pastel coloured homes that line its cobblestoned streets. Mysterious beauties that conceal their secrets behind glorious, iron framed doors. “I love that idea,” said Miller, “that you can go into your house, many of which are behind high walls, and you can cocoon. As an artist, having that peace and quiet is ideal.” But Miller is conscious solitude here is but one option. “I live in the Centro (centre of town),” so it’s easy for friends to visit, and for people wanting to come by to see my paintings.

And there are many galleries in town, where I show my work.”

But then San Miguel is anything but retiring. “It’s a big party town,” he said. And the artist’s annual soiree for patrons and friends assembles some of San Miguel’s A-Listers, such as The House Doctor’s Ann Maurice, whom I overheard at the party I attended discussing real estate with one of Miller’s colourful guests.

www.mexi-go.ca 21

Miller didn’t need any prompting in extolling the positive aspects of life in San Miguel, especially for anyone thinking about retiring here. “There’s very good health care services, and the cost of living is quite moderate, compared to retiring in Canada,” he said.

And while the town feels peaceful and remote, it sits in close proximity to other main centres, and to several international airports.

“Mexico City is not too far from here, which has lots of great museums and galleries,” he points out.

Of course, the dominant story we hear in the media about Mexico is one that consistently references violence, which irks Miller. “To me it almost feels like they’re talking about another country, because it feels very safe and secure here. And that’s very annoying to me, that this kind of talk discourages visitors from coming here.”

After having lived in San Miguel for over twenty years, Miller speaks excellent Spanish which he feels has made his life more enjoyable. “To have Spanish, you can have social connections and good friends in the Spanish community.” This last point seems a key one for Miller. “After all,” he says, “it is their community, and we’ve just adopted it. But in reality,” he muses, “It’s really us who have been so graciously adopted by them.”

MEXICO

Top to Bottom: El Chorro, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, watercolor Amarylis, Calla Lilies, Hibiscus For more information visit: www.keithmillerart.com

real estate, property development, custom homes

Lots of Mayan inc. canadian's building affordable custom homes in the magical puebla of izamal, in the state of yucatan, mexico we are offering properties and opportunities to those seeking out a unique, environmental lifestyle in the ancient land of the maya prices starting at $ 56,800.00 u.s.

come & join us in the budding international community of izamal

MEXI-GO.CA

website: www.lotsofmayan.com telephone canada/usa: 01152 1(988) 105 6410 email: lotsofmayan@hotmail.com www.mexi-go.ca 22

DOS CASAS | RANCHO DEL ORO | AJIJIC ~ LAKE CHAPALA AN INSPIRING SANCTUARY. A special home offering privacy & seclusion, just minutes to everything in Ajijic. Offered for the first time, the main home has 2 master bedrooms each with their own ensuite and walk-in closets. Living spaces include a welcoming reception hall with bar, lounge with boveda ceiling, niches & indirect lighting, spacious covered terrace with spectacular fountain, large separate dining room, impressive chefs' kitchen, huge pantry, den, office and library, indoor bodega & workshop. Impressive street frontage with secure video entry. "Dos Casas" combines a focus on quality with an immaculate presentation.

Lot: 1,994m² Const. 918m² Asking: $890,000 usd

Alix Wilson

Office: (376) 766-2612 (13) Toll free: 1 (866) 377-4632 Mobile: (+52) 1 331 265 5078 wilsonali@century21accessmex.com www.century21accessmex.com

NEXT TIME YOU VISIT AJIJIC - SPOIL YOURSELF! Call: +52 1 331 350 6764 Email: casatresleones@yahoo.com

www.mexi-go.ca 23

www.casatresleones.com

VISTA DEL LAGO | LAKE CHAPALA PROPERTIES

EASY ACCESSIBILITY ON ONE LEVEL CASA LEACH

3 bed | 3 bath | 4,498 sf $395,000 USD

Built in 2007 for handicap accessibility on both levels and tastefully furnished this custom built home that has it all. Walled for privacy and security with parking for 3 cars and convenient elevator to the main floor. Large terrazza offers 180+ degree unobstructed view of both Scorpion and Mezcala Islands.

Bonus! A one bedroom casita on the lower level with its own courtyard and lake view.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SEE VIDEO TOURS CLICK HERE: www.accesslakechapala.com/2011/11/09/casa-leach/

www.casasajijic.com

Ten minutes east of town, Vista del Lago is home to the Chapala Country Club with a challenging nine-hole golf course overlooking the lake. Beautiful private homes surround the course. Conveniently located with easy access to Chapala and all the amenities of a large Mexican town, this community is made up of mainly expat Americans and Canadians many of whom live year round in this paradise. With near perfect weather, excellent golf and stunning lake and mountain views Vista del Lago offers many types of homes and lots to fit any budget. As a long time resident of Vista del Lago and an avid golfer, John can help you with any of your Lake Chapala questions.

Call or email him today!

Check out www.casasajijic.com

JOHN CEARNAL Hernandez Realty Group Ajijic, Jalisco Mexico Toll Free: (817)350-4325 Local: (376) 763-5304 harlanwood@aol.com

UNDER $100K SINGLE LEVEL HOME WITH 2 CASITAS

READY TO RENOVATE INTO YOUR DREAM HOME

CASA POIRIER

ON THE 3RD HOLE

4 bed | 5 bath | 6,338 sf $399,000 USD

2 bed | 2 bath | 1,592 sf $99,000 USD

Located on the second fairway with spectacular views this renovated house includes 2 casitas set on a beautifully maintained property. Enjoy your large terrazzo that spans entire living room and master bedroom. Downstairs are 2 one bedroom casitas. Time for a round of golf? Your new homes includes a golf cart and golf course access!

A LITTLE SLICE OF HEAVEN. Located on the 3rd green at Chapala Country Club. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath is its own little oasis. Living room has gas fireplace and covered patio covers full length of the house. House is being sold furnished and is move-in ready. Although this is an older and smaller property in Vista del Lago with a little TLC and a few upgrades it’s a great value.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SEE A VIDEO TOUR CLICK HERE: www.accesslakechapala.com/2011/11/09/casa-poirier/

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS CLICK HERE: http://chapalamls.com MLS ID No. RC1CJ521

SOLD UNDER $100K ALL THE AMENITIES FOR A FRACTION OF THE COST!

A LITTLE TLC AND THIS HOME IS A WINNER!

CASA MADILL

GREAT DEAL!

3 bed | 3.5 bath | 4,971 sf $299,900 USD

5000 sq. ft. home with panoramic views of Lake Chapala and the mountains from the vast covered terrace. This home offers generous living and entertaining areas with open concept living and dining room along with separate office/den. Lots of features in this home including: Walk-in closets, fireplace, salt water pool with swim-up bar, new windows and doors, 2 car garage and access to the second fairway.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SEE MORE PHOTOS CLICK HERE: http://youtube/Psdwtxuv9lQ

1 bed | 1 bath | 1,377 sf $97,800USD

One Bedroom, one bath, partially furnished, near the entrance inside of Vista Del Lago. Wow! You even have your own swimming pool. Large covered patio with mountain views. Enjoy golf course living from under $100,000.00 USD. The house is currently rented.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SEE MORE PHOTOS CLICK HERE: http://chapalamls.com MLS ID No. RC1CJ656

www.mexi-go.ca

TRUDIE NELSON YOUR CANADIAN REALTOR!

MEXICAN REAL ESTATE FOR CANADIAN BUYERS

BRIGHT AND SPACIOUS

FRIENDLY GATED COMMUNITY

VILLA EL TORO

$525,000 USD

La Floresta, Ajijic,

3 bed | 3 bath | 4455sf

CASA LOLA

$379,000 USD

Riviera Alta, Ajijic

3 bed | 2.5 bath | 2518sf

Enter the courtyard and flow thru grand entry with domed ceiling. Flow out to huge covered terrace with view to pool & garden fountains. All rooms flow off terrace. Glamorous master suite separate private from guest suites. Gourmet kitchen with custom cabinets. All move in condition. Spacious 2 car garage

Enter the domed foyer with views across the lake. Open concept home with living, dining and den with 11’ ceilings. Open to terrace and the low maintenance garden with charming fountain. Chef’s dream kitchen features new high-end stainless steel appliances. Recently updated bathrooms. For comfort and privacy the master suite is separate from the guest suite.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SEE MORE PHOTOS: www.ajijicvillagehomes.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SEE MORE PHOTOS: www.ajijicvillagehomes.com

AJIJIC VILLAGE ON LAKE CHAPALA www.ajijicvillagehomes.com AFFORDABLE LUXURY HOMES 10,000 CANADIANS MAKE AJIJIC MEXICO THEIR HOME. You can too!

Los Sabinos, Ajijic

$285,000 USD

3 bed | 2 bath | 2234sf

Lock and go! Knowing it will all be perfect upon your return. Modern open floor plan dramatic domed ceiling, large living and dining area flow to covered terrace, perfect for entertaining. Kitchen with granite counters and stainless appliances.

Master with en-suite bath, private guest bedroom and separate study. Amazing club house facilities include huge pool & Jacuzzi. Stress free living.

TRUDIE NELSON Your Canadian Realtor trudieannenelson@yahoo.ca www.eagerrealty.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SEE MORE PHOTOS: www.ajijicvillagehomes.com

ROMANTIC VILLAGE HACIENDA

LUXURY NEW HOME $499,000 USD

VILLA MIRADOR

$750,000 USD

3 bed | 5.5 bath | 9888sf

La Floresta, Ajijic

3 bed | 3.5 bath | 5682sf

VILLA NICOLAS BRAVO Ajijic Village

CHIC GATED COMMUNITY CASA DIONNE

Enter to find a tranquil oasis surrounded by beautiful stone walls. Each room of the house flows out to L shaped covered terrace with views to the tropical garden and opulent pool and fountain. Incredible space complete with BBQ area. Two master suites on ground floor are very private. Open plan home with large kitchen that flows through to dining and living room.

Luxury new home private and secure. Designed to embrace the moderate climate with outdoor living. Walled gardens with a pool, bbq and outdoor kitchen. Great floor plan with all rooms flowing out to huge covered terrace Guest floor with kitchen. Tropical landscaping is easy to maintain.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SEE MORE PHOTOS: www.ajijicvillagehomes.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SEE MORE PHOTOS: www.ajijicvillagehomes.com

www.mexi-go.ca

Artfully uniting extraordinary homes with extraordinary lives

SPECTACULAR CABO VIEWS

CABO SAN LUCAS

EN LAS CASITAS DE LAS FLORES

CASITA AZUL, CAREYES

Maraluna Residential. Located 10 minutes from downtown Cabo, with spectacular views of Land’s End and the Sea of Cortez. Three and Four bedroom with ensuite, upgraded finishings, rooftop terraces, starting at $300,000 usd pre-construction prices.

Casita Azul is a unique opportunity, located in the middle of the bay in the exclusive Costa Careyes. This unique property is designed for outdoor living with exceptional terraces to appreciate views of the Pacific Ocean.

Starting at USD $300,000

Price USD$3,800,000 US +52 (33) 3627-6437

The house has 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, infinity pool, tropical garden and all the amenities needed to enjoy a space of this level of luxury satisfactory.

Contact: lcinfo@sirmexico.com US+ 205-277-6454 +52 (624) 172-6555

ENDLESS VIEWS

SAN JOSE DEL CABO

Alegranza. Ground floor, exceptionally beautiful new 3 bedroom/3 bath condo.

Expansive views of the Sea of Cortez, fully furnished. Upgraded with private gateway to pool area. Two garden spaces, fully fenced for your pet.

FOUR FLOORS OF OCEAN VIEW

Contact: lcinfo@sirmexico.com US+ 205-277-6454 +52 (624) 172-6555

Price USD$ 530,000 US +52 (33) 3627-6437

LOS CABOS

Club Polo Cabo. Located just 7 minutes north of the sparkling Bay of San Lucas, this luxury Polo Country Club now under development delivers the polo lifestyle to Cabo’s already luxurious ambience. Four polo fields, home sites starting at $69,000 usd.

Contact: lcinfo@sirmexico.com US+ 205-277-6454 +52 (624) 172-6555

QUINTA SERENA

|

Contact: gdlinfo@sirguadalajara.com www.sirguadalajara.com

TEPOZTLÁN, MORELOS

A beautiful contemporary Mexican country house with the perfect balance between the traditional and the comforts of a modern life style. Quinta Serena has 3 spacious bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, spa with temazcal, a beautiful and extensive wine cellar and a lovely swimming pool among the gardens of the residence. Located a few steps from the riverbed, it has a beautiful view of the valley, and the mountains surrounding the village.

Price MXN$ 7,734,000 US +52 (33) 3627-6437

s i r m e x i c o.com

ICEBOX HILL, MAZATLAN

Enjoy entertaining with three bedrooms, three full baths, and custom gourmet kitchen. Built in 2008, on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean this home was designed by a California architect, but is distinctly Mexican in character. deceptively modest from the front, the ocean side reveals four levels, each with a spacious terrace and magnificent views, and the lower one includes a lap pool.

Luxury details throughout include travertine marble; quarry stone, stainless steel railings. bronze glazing and more.

Price USD $675,000

LUXURY HOME SITES

Contact: gdlinfo@sirguadalajara.com www.sirguadalajara.com

info@sirmexico.com

Each Offi c e i s I n d e p e n d e n t l y O w n e d a n d O p e r a t e d

Contact: gdlinfo@sirguadalajara.com www.sirguadalajara.com

CASA MARGARITA DEL CIELO

RENTAL OR SALE, SAYULITA

CASA CHACHACHA

RENTAL OR SALE, SAYULITA

4 Bedroom, 4½ bath, pool, a.c., internet, ocean view

3 Bedroom, 3 bath, pool, internet, dvd, ocean view

RENT from $3,200 usd/wk

RENT from $2,000 usd/wk

Enquire for SALE price

Contact: rentals@avalosrealty.com

Contact: rentals@avalosrealty.com

Mexico 52 (329) 291-3122, US (310) 341-3377

Mexico 52 (329) 291-3122, US (310) 341-3377

CASA AGUA AZUL

RENTAL OR SALE, SAYULITA

Enquire for SALE price

RENT from $800 usd/wk

Contact: rentals@avalosrealty.com

Contact: rentals@avalosrealty.com

Mexico 52 (329) 291-3122, US (310) 341-3377

Mexico 52 (329) 291-3122, US (310) 341-3377

CASA DESTINO

RENTAL, SAYULITA

2 Bedroom, 2 bath, shared pool, a.c., dvd, sat. tv, internet, secure

3 Bedroom, 2 bath, near beach, pool, a.c., internet RENT from $1,500 usd/wk

CASITA ENCANTADORA

Enquire for SALE price

RENTAL, SAYULITA

CASA REDONDA

RENTAL OR SALE, SAYULITA

2 Bedroom, 2 bath, pool, dvd, internet

2 Bedroom, 2½ bath, splash pool, a.c., dvd, partial views

RENT from $900 usd/week

RENT from $1,000 usd/wk

Contact: rentals@avalosrealty.com

Contact: rentals@avalosrealty.com

Mexico 52 (329) 291-3122, US (310) 341-3377

Mexico 52 (329) 291-3122, US (310) 341-3377

Enquire for SALE price

R E A L E S TAT E

LIFESTYLE

RETIREMENT

TRAVEL

Connecting Canadians to

Mexico

Your best source for Canadian information in Mexico Subscription and online magazine available now. w w w. m e x i - g o . c a

www.mexi-go.ca 29