How to open a mexican bank account? Merida Yucatan.

There are many banks to choose from in Mexico. The largest are Scotiabank Inverlat, Banamex/Citibank, BBVA-Bancomer, and HSBC. Take a look at the links we have listed for you:

Scotiabank Inverlat
Banamex/Citibank
Bancomer
HSBC
Banco Inbursa
Banco Regional de Monterrey
Banco Santander Mexicano
IXE
Banco Afirme
Bansi
Banorte
American Express Bank (México), S.A
Banco del Bajio
Export Import Bank, financial assistance.
Mexican Stock Exchange
Foreign Exchange Rates: Mexican Peso
Opening an Account in Mexico

Mexican banks offer foreign individuals bank accounts both in Mexican pesos or dollars. These accounts range from regular checking and money market accounts to certificates of deposit. The peso checking and money market accounts are called cuentas ejes or “central accounts,” whereby the account holder is able to transfer to other accounts in Mexico or worldwide, transact business in the country, or have access to investment packages or invest in the Mexican Stock Market (Bolsa).

In order to open a bank account in Mexico you will need the following:

* A valid passport
* FM2 or FM3
* Bank and/or credit reference (Mexican or foreign)
* Proof of address (i.e. bill from the telephone or utilities)

Credit Card

The Mexican institution that holds your account can also issue your credit card in Mexico. The requirements are the same as above plus proof of income. Some banks will require you to have your account with them for at least 6 months and a balance of $50,000 pesos before issuing you a credit card if you do not have credit references.

Business hours are normally 9 am to 4 pm.

Filed under: Uncategorized on March 28th, 2010 | No Comments »

I would like to visit Mexico As a businessperson, business visitor, consultant, or intercompany transferee, for non-remunerated activities:

I would like to visit Mexico

If you are a citizen of:

  • Andorra
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • Czech Republic
  • Chile
  • Costa Rica
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • Iceland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Latvia
  • Lichtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxemburg
  • Monaco
  • Norway
  • New Zealand
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • Slovenia
  • Slovakia
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • The Netherlands
  • United Kingdom
  • Uruguay
  • United States of America
  • Venezuela

You can enter Mexico without a visa showing your passport and the “migration Form for Tourists, Transmigrants, Visiting Businesspersons, or Visiting Consultants”, which you can obtain from travel agencies, airlines, or at your point of entry into Mexico.

You may stay in Mexico for up to 180 days. if you need more time, you must visit any National Institute of Migration office

(http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php?page/MEN_DIRECTORIO) to obtain form FM3.

This option also applies for permanent legal residents in the USA, Canada, or Japan regardless of nationality.
Under an agreement with Canada and the USA, those countries’ citizens may prove their nationality with a passport or other public documents, such as:

  • Certified copy of birth certificate.
  • Voter registration card.
  • Naturalization certificate.

If any of these documents lack a photograph, travelers must prove their nationality with another official identification:

  • Driver’s license.
  • Identification issued by a state or official agency.

Although Canadian and US citizens do not need a passport, the National Institute of Migration recommends one to expedite passage through the point of entry.

To enter Mexico as business, the persons, the citizens of countries different form the list above, must go to the Embassy or Consulate of Mexico to obtain a migratory form FM3.

* Chinese citizens with passports issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

IMPORTANT: From January 23, 2007, american citizens who travel to Mexico, to return to united States airway they will have to present an in force passport.

yucatan progreso

yucatan progreso

Filed under: Uncategorized on January 10th, 2010 | No Comments »

Loltun Caverns In Yucatan…

This cave is located 110 km from Merida via federal highway 31 in the State of Yucatan, Mexico.

Only 4.3 miles from Oxkutzcab and 15 miles northeast from Labna ruins.

Loltun Caverns are one of the biggest known from the huge cave system that covers a great territory in southern Yucatan. They have been arranged for a safe tour, approximately a 500mts of illuminated paths, in which we can admire huge and excellent chambers with stalactites, stalagmites and interesting petro glyphs and rupestrian paintings.

At Loltun, the visitor can learn the natural and cultural history of the Northern Maya Lowlands within a 10,000 years period, from the late Pleistocene to Contemporary times. In one of its cavities, locally known as “Huechil” (from the Maya “Huech”: armadillo), archaeological excavations were carried out, and in one of its lowest levels, extinct animal remains were found: mammoth, bison, feline and other animal bones, indicating a colder climate period with a different environment to that of the present. Man made stone tools appeared in a superior level, probably produced by th first Peninsula’s inhabitants.

Other material remains have been found in this and other parts of the grout including pottery, marine shells, stone artifacts, bas-relief carvings,  petro glyphs and mural paintings, corresponding to the distinct development stages of the Maya Culture. From the Formative period (600 B.C. – 150 A.D.) stands out the bas-relief carving known as “The Loltun Warrior”, located in Nahkab (beehive) entrance, presenting inherited traits from ancient Olmecs. From Classic (150 – 900 A.D.) and Post classic (900 A.D. to 16th century) can be observed cultural features such as mural paintings representing hands, faces, animals, geometric motifs and  inscriptions; “haltunes” or artificial containers carved in the rock for gathering natural dripping water (suhuy-ha); as well as many petro glyphs, standing out those with flower motifs, which gave the name to the cavern. There are also 19th century barricades constructed by rebel Mayas who sheltered in this and other southern Yucatan caves during the so called “War of Castes”.

Loltun Caves

Loltun Caves

Visitors can also admire many natural lime stone formations with capricious and suggestive forms that popular imagination have baptized them with peculiar names such as “Cathedral”,
“Grand Canyon Gallery”, “Ear of Corn”, Stalactite Rooms”, and so on.

It’s important to notice the “musical” columns, formed by the union of stalactites and stalagmites, that produce sounds with different tones when they are knocked; or a magnificent gallery with its collapsed ceiling, with descending tree roots and sun rays…

Loltun Caves

Loltun Caves

FACILITIES & SCHEDULE

  • Parking lots, beautiful gardens and green areas, restaurants and toilettes.

  • Daily guided visits are provided at: 9:30, 12:30 and 15:30  hrs. in Spanish & 11:00 and 14:00 hrs. in English.

Filed under: Where to go in Yucatan on January 10th, 2010 | No Comments »

ELTON JOHN – Concert in Chichen Itza April 3rd, 2010 at 8 Pm


Don’t miss this unique opportunity: On April 3rd, 2010, Elton John will perform in Chichen Itza Archaeological Zone, so  plan a fabulous weekend to enjoy a great performance, a magical night, and a fabulous weekend stay at  Chichen Itza, Yucatan.

Tickets have gone on sale for the Elton John concert at Chichen Itza. They are currently only available in Mexico and only by telephone, (+42) 999/942-19-33 and (+42) 999/942-19-31. The prices for tickets are similar to October’s Sarah Brightman concert, $10,000 (Mexican pesos), $7,500, $5,000, $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000.

Filed under: Helpful Information, Uncategorized on January 10th, 2010 | No Comments »

Mexican Fiesta.

While many visitors come to Mexico just to enjoy the beaches and resorts, Yucatan  is also a destination for relaxing, celebrating life’s milestones, and when finished with the 9 to 5 rat race, it is a delightful (and affordable) place to retire.

When it comes to kicking back and relaxing, nothing beats a soothing spa, and Yucatan has some wonderful ones, everything from low-key saunas with a few extra services to high-end destination spas with all the perks (and staff) designed to comfort and thoroughly rejuvenate the spirit. Depending on the spa, massages, facials, manicures and pedicures are all standard fare.

Getting married? The big events in one’s life only come along so often, and celebrating a wedding in Yucatn  is a once in a lifetime experience. Imagine standing barefoot on a beach with sand as soft as talcum powder, the azure Gulf of Mexico stretching as far as the eye can see, the sun slowly setting over the horizon, the last of the day’s yellow sun melting into cool evening, and saying, “I do.” It does not get more memorable than that.

Live and love Yucatan

Live and love Yucatan

And toward the other end of life, when it comes time to retire and starting enjoying life, there is no better place to do it than Yucatan. The cost of living is roughly half of that in the U.S. and Canada, and there are several towns that have a large expatriate retiree contingent, making the transition that much easier.

Retirees can live for 6 months in Mexico before having to exit and re-enter the country, or they can apply for an FM-3 visa and remain in the country year-round. Expats can also buy real estate and not have to worry about the government taking it away. The lifestyle is leisurely; the health care is adequate; the people are friendly, and the Margaritas never stop flowing.

Want to Know more about where to retire in Mexico?

Visit  yucatanbestliving.com and see our photo galery.. amazing pictures of The Yucatan!!

Filed under: Uncategorized on October 7th, 2009 | No Comments »

Why live in Yucatan, Mexico?

When people first think of Yucatan, their thoughts may turn to Cancun or a dimly remembered geography class from high school. But this Mexican state has far more to offer, especially for people seeking a real estate investment.
Yucatan’s first economic boom

Yucatan is famous for its Spanish colonial architecture, found in abundance in such cites as Izamal, Valladolid, and the state capital, Merida. Merida is also known as “The White City” because of the all-white mansions that line many of the major streets. These mansions were built after an economic boom that hit the Yucatan in the form of a single plant: henequen.

Henequen was in high demand at the beginning of the 20th century. It was a strong, breathable material that was best used for sacks, ropes, and twine, and Yucatan had a lot of it. During that time, Yucatan became the world’s top henequen producer and exporter.

The subsequent economic boom made some families very rich. The nouveau riche decided to hire a French architect and build an avenue in Merida reminiscent of Paris´s famed Champs-Elyssee. In the 1920s, there were more millionaires per square meter in Merida than any other city in the world.

www.yucatanbestliving.com

www.yucatanbestliving.com

Yucatan today

Now, the entire state of Yucatan is experiencing its second economic boom. Merida and its coastal surroundings have become a magnet for American and Canadian baby boomers seeking a better quality of life at a reasonable price.

This area is ideal for active retirees. The Yucatan coast, only 30 minutes from Merida´s International Airport on a four-lane highway, is similar to the beaches and water of Southern Florida, as they both border the Gulf of Mexico.

Foreign buyers are rapidly purchasing these coastal properties because they understand the value of Yucatan real estate. For example, prices for beachfront property in the neighboring Caribbean state of Quintana Roo have risen astonishingly in the past five years, where one can easily spend $275,000 and up for a 20-meter lot without electricity or a paved road.

Yucatan is poised to catch up with Quintana Roo in economic value. However, unlike its sister state, Yucatan’s appeal is less touristy. Yucatan has positioned itself as a more relaxing community with several scheduled signature golf courses and residential neighborhoods.

Another benefit to Yucatan is that it’s an older, more established state that has been developed over the years by a conservative, wealthy citizenship. Because of their influence, Yucatan has the second lowest crime rate in all of Mexico, along with some of the country’s best hospitals and a noted university community with high standards for education and culture.

And finally, Merida houses practically all of the North American-style shopping malls and familiar franchise outlets. It’s any shopper’s dream.

Bottom line: What is the draw?

Every person has their own reasons for wanting to live and invest in Yucatan real estate. However, there are some key reasons that people turn to Yucatan for its beachfront property.

Accessibility: Houston, Miami, and Atlanta have direct flights to Merida every day, and flights to Yucatan are usually no more than three or four hours, what you could expect on a domestic flight. After a relatively short flight and a 30-minute taxi ride, you can be at your Yucatan beachfront property.

Culture: All those who visit Merida, the capital city, absolutely fall in love with it. They see it as a great convenience to live so close to the beautiful White City, with its parks, colonial mansions, avenues, and most importantly, the kind and inviting people. The numerous museums, zoos, and cultural events, like the annual international arts and culture fair that Merida hosts, ensures that even the most sophisticated people will have plenty to sate their cultural appetites.

Exotic beauty: The natural beauty and activity of the state is all around you, no more than an hour’s drive away, if it’s not already on your front porch. Explore the hundreds of Mayan ruins peppered throughout the state, including Chichen Itza, one of the seven modern marvels of the world. Swim through the underground river system in the nearby cenotes. Or, just enjoy the scenery while you’re working on your golf swing at one of the many new signature courses in Yucatan.

If you’re seeking an inexpensive second home in the Caribbean that offers the key to a historical and culturally enlightened community, then consider owning a piece of paradise here in the beautiful state of Yucatan.

Filed under: Helpful Information on October 7th, 2009 | No Comments »

Have you ever thought about retiring in Mexico?

How about retiring in one of its many lovely retirement heavens?

Merida and The Yucatan Peninsula most be the top of your list!  Here, you´re going to find many reasons why you´d love to live, love and retire to The Yucatan
The reason so many Americans and Canadians choose Mexico is because they can drive to Mexico in a car. A bigger reason is that Mexico is a bargain compared to the USA and Canada. But there are also a large number of Europeans in Mexico. Mexico is rich with history, steeped in culture, having perhaps a more pronounced culture than any other nation in latin America with the exception of Brazil and Argentina. Mexico has great food, great architecture and many areas with an excellent climate. Mexico is also modern, with better highways than many parts of latin America and an infrastructure that allows foreigners to connect via telephone and internet to the rest of the world. This level of infrastructure isn’t available in Nicaragua, nor in Guatemala, and this is a very important determining factor for the retiree who doesn’t want to be inconvenienced by inconveniences.
Mexico is also a healthier place to live because of the food. Fresh fruit and vegetables are always in season and taste so much better in Mexico that you eat more of them. In fact, unlike North American produce that is picked green and allowed to ripen in transit, Mexican produce is picked at its peak and sold in the market the very next day. And little or no preservatives are used in processed food which means you´re ingesting fewer chemicals.
You will find that life is so much more enjoyable because you finally have time to pursue your hobbies and develop your talents. People who move to Merida finally have time to prepare the recipes they´ve been saving from gourmet magazines, put the box of photographs into albums, or garden to their hearts´ content in this land where flowers grow all year long. Others develop new interests and discover latent talents when they take a ceramics or a salsa class. There are also innumerable opportunities for volunteer work. The expatriates maintain a school teaching English and computer skills, manage english libraries  in town for foreigners and mexicans, do real estate business, are webmasters, run a housing facility for the elderly, and assist children who were born with handicaps.
For people who love to socialize, there´s probably no better place in the world to make friends. People who don´t work have more time to party! But, even more than that, expatriates, because of their adventurous natures, seem more gregarious than their American/Canadian counterparts. Then, too, expatriates find themselves thrown into a world where they must cooperate and share information in order to survive.
There´s less stress in Merida and the rest of The Yucatan Peninsula too. If you can adjust to the “manana attitude” and remember that manana doesn´t necessarily mean tomorrow, it just means not today, you will realize that everything will eventually get done that needs doing and with far less frustration. Rather than worrying, go to the beach -by the way, just 20 minutes drive- sit on a bench, and watch village life pass before your eyes. You will see a family out for a stroll, a little boy riding on his father´s shoulders while Mom buys her daughter a balloon, you´ll notice the teenage girls going one direction in the plaza while the boys pass the other way, all of them casting furtive glances at the ones they like, and you´ll see old friends who will sit down with you for a chat because they´re in the plaza doing the same thing you´re doing – enjoying life!
We´d love to know your story! How and  when you moved to The Yucatan and how it has changed your live
SHARE YOUR EXPIRIENCE…

Merida and The Yucatan Peninsula most be the top of your list!  Here, you´re going to find many reasons why you´d love to live, love and retire to The Yucatan


The reason so many Americans and Canadians choose Mexico is because they can drive to Mexico in a car. A bigger reason is that Mexico is a bargain compared to the USA and Canada. But there are also a large number of Europeans in Mexico. Mexico is rich with history, steeped in culture, having perhaps a more pronounced culture than any other nation in latin America with the exception of Brazil and Argentina. Mexico has great food, great architecture and many areas with an excellent climate. Mexico is also modern, with better highways than many parts of latin America and an infrastructure that allows foreigners to connect via telephone and internet to the rest of the world. This level of infrastructure isn’t available in Nicaragua, nor in Guatemala, and this is a very important determining factor for the retiree who doesn’t want to be inconvenienced by inconveniences.


Mexico is also a healthier place to live because of the food. Fresh fruit and vegetables are always in season and taste so much better in Mexico that you eat more of them. In fact, unlike North American produce that is picked green and allowed to ripen in transit, Mexican produce is picked at its peak and sold in the market the very next day. And little or no preservatives are used in processed food which means you´re ingesting fewer chemicals.


You will find that life is so much more enjoyable because you finally have time to pursue your hobbies and develop your talents. People who move to Merida finally have time to prepare the recipes they´ve been saving from gourmet magazines, put the box of photographs into albums, or garden to their hearts´ content in this land where flowers grow all year long. Others develop new interests and discover latent talents when they take a ceramics or a salsa class. There are also innumerable opportunities for volunteer work. The expatriates maintain a school teaching English and computer skills, manage english libraries  in town for foreigners and mexicans, do real estate business, are webmasters, run a housing facility for the elderly, and assist children who were born with handicaps.


For people who love to socialize, there´s probably no better place in the world to make friends. People who don´t work have more time to party! But, even more than that, expatriates, because of their adventurous natures, seem more gregarious than their American/Canadian counterparts. Then, too, expatriates find themselves thrown into a world where they must cooperate and share information in order to survive.


There´s less stress in Merida and the rest of The Yucatan Peninsula too. If you can adjust to the “manana attitude” and remember that manana doesn´t necessarily mean tomorrow, it just means not today, you will realize that everything will eventually get done that needs doing and with far less frustration. Rather than worrying, go to the beach -by the way, just 20 minutes drive- sit on a bench, and watch village life pass before your eyes. You will see a family out for a stroll, a little boy riding on his father´s shoulders while Mom buys her daughter a balloon, you´ll notice the teenage girls going one direction in the plaza while the boys pass the other way, all of them casting furtive glances at the ones they like, and you´ll see old friends who will sit down with you for a chat because they´re in the plaza doing the same thing you´re doing – enjoying life!

We´d love to know your story! How and  when you moved to The Yucatan and how it has changed your live


SHARE YOUR EXPIRIENCE...


Filed under: Helpful Information on September 10th, 2009 | No Comments »

Why retire in Merida, The Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico? Things you need to know about buying real estate property in Mexico.

Your best life has just begun.. Mexico has a lot to offer potential retirees. Weather, culture, stability, safety, and low cost of living are big draws, but so is its proximity to the U.S and Canada for those who still want to stay close to family. From much of Mexico, going “home” could be as close as a day’s drive. But even for those who live further away, or who don’t have a car, or who don’t want the long drive, all major airlines fly directly to most North American cities from the big Mexican airports.

The list of resources for Mexican retirement is immense, and I will cover specific topics relating to moving, buying property, pensions, taxes, and others in future posts. But I wanted to focus today on one specific region of Mexico that I have found attractive as retirement destinations.
You have a couple of general options. First, expatriate communities have sprouted up all over Mexico….small areas with a high concentration of American, Canadian, and, to a lesser extent, European, expats who have gathered together in communities that resemble small American suburbs. If that works for you, there is a lot of online data available to you.  For many people it provides the familiarity they need to feel comfortable. These small communities offer all the amenities of home at a fraction of the cost. If this idea appeals to you, you HAVE to check out  Yucatan!
Progreso Yucatan

Progreso Yucatan

Your second option is to dive into the local culture and retire somewhere that isn’t a carbon copy of your current situation. There are expats everywhere, so you can still get your “fix”, but this option opens you up to a whole new world of experiences, and it is this option that I will explore in detail in future posts.
For now, I will briefly outline the areas that I have found most attractive based on the criteria I have set forth before. The top three on my list are:
1. Merida the main city of the Yucatan  and vicinity on the Yucatan Peninsula. The Yucatan is still relatively isolated from the rest of Mexico, Cancun is near, as are the ruins of Chichen Itza, real estate is a bargain and readily available, it’s a booming city with lots of culture, night life, and infrastructure that rivals North American standards. Plus, it’s near the ocean.
2. Puerto Progreso, 15 minutes away from Merida, 3.5 hours away from Cancun, even close to Cuba! ha! Progreso, as it’s known locally, is a quaint fishing village. Living here would mean doing without some of the amenities you are accustomed to, but the charm and beauty far outweigh any negatives. Cost of living is extremely affordable here, and the locals are some of the friendliest in the nation.
3.Cancun. I would not normally recommend a resort town, but Cancun  is different. You have to do a bit of shopping to find real estate bargains because it is a resort town, but if you can find them it’s definitely worth it.
Remember, for any of the above choices you don’t actually have to live right in the city. The surrounding areas offer much of the same, and their proximity to these cities offers the dual advantage of small town living with big city amentities and attractions a short drive, or bus ride, away!

According to the Canadian Real Estate Magazine, retiring to Yucatan, Mexico can be a wonderful lifestyle experience. Buy purchasing an affordable Yucatan retirement home in one of the top rated North America retirement areas, you can live the life of a king and queen with pleasurable amenities and services at your beck and call. A tropical climate, a modern environment and a relative proximity to Canada are all factors that make Yucatan real estate and retiring in Yucatan appealing to Canadians. For Baby Boomers approaching retirement and looking to convert their Canadian real estate equity, there are many financial incentives and tax benefits involved in buying a retirement investment home or vacation property in the Yucatan real estate market. Here are some of the main incentives for purchasing a the best Yucatan retirement home or vacation property in North America. Said to be one of the most welcoming environments for Canadian retirees and pensioners, Yucatan resort retirement communities offers a variety of incentives to entice property investors, including Canadians. These include: foreigners such as Canadians can buy Yucatan retirement homes and property with the same rights as nationals. Tax on transfer of a real estate property in Yucatan retirement communities, approximately 2% are paid by the seller. Yucatan retirement properties are to be found  between $35,000 US to $350,000 USD.

It will all depend on what you are looking for, you can start your own restoring project or find a gorgeous

Real Estate Properties
Real Estate Properties

colonial or beachfront house ready to move in. To find the house of your dreams, visit yucatanbestliving.com or write to info@yucatanbestliving.com.

Filed under: Uncategorized on August 23rd, 2009 | No Comments »

Cost of Living in Merida, Mexico.

THE COST OF LIVING IN MERIDA MEXICO

The cost of living ranges are set within the costs for a middle to upper class family lifetsyle, which considers a $1300 to $17400 USD monthly income. Included in the costs are: Housing, Food, Education, Transportation, Clothing, Recreation, Health, Furniture and Appliances, and Personal Use. Monthly rents are taken for the average for each city, and may vary according to market situation. Prices are in USD, based on an exchange rate of 11.5 pesos to the dollar. Which is way down to what it actually is. (between 12.8 and 13.5)

Merida Yucatan:

Cost of living range:

High: 5417usd

Low: 950usd

Monthly Rent (average): 435usd

Mexico is a widely diverse country that offers many different types of living environments. You can choose to live in: a coastal town with ocean view and access to a tropical beach, or a ‘real’ Mexican colonial town with culture, authentic cuisine, art and history, or an urban city with modern facilities and a buzzing lifestyle, or you could even decide to live in the rural countryside with waterfront lake views! You can find all these options here in The Yucatan Peninsula. To see a wide variety of properties visit: yucatanbestliving.com

Determining Your Cost of Living in Mexico

The cost of living in Mexico or any other country/town depends a lot on the person. What is your cost of living now? Are you planning on maintaining the status quo, simplifying your lifestyle or do you want to live more extravagantly? Obviously, establishing a cost of living is an individual matter.

Homes in Merida Yucatan Mexico
Homes in Merida Yucatan Mexico

Cost of Living in Mexico Largely Depends on your Lifestyle

In general, the estimated cost of living for a reasonable lifestyle can range from $1,200 to $3,000 US a month depending on your personal lifestyle, whether you are single or a couple and whether you own or rent. Obviously if you rent, you need to include the cost of renting in this number. To determine the cost of Renting or Buying Real Estate, check out the ‘Real Estate’ section in  yucatanbestliving.com. Within that section you will also find a page for Real Estate Listings with a search engine to search all the MLS listings available. I will caution you that it is difficult to get a true feel for values when you don’t know the locations or condition of the properties. However, it will give you a bit of insight.

Your cost of living in Mexico largely depends upon where you settle. The more expensive spots are Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende, Cuernavaca, and the fancier neighborhoods of Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City. Expatriate neighborhoods typically have more conveniences and luxuries, thus raising prices. In nearly every part of Mexico, you can find an affordable rental and a cheap neighborhood market. In general, living near the U.S.-Mexico border will cost more, but if you plan on traveling to the United States frequently, you will save money in transportation costs.

An excelent option is  The Yucatan Peninsula, you can find almost everything, fancy neighborhoods, colonial houses, beach front properties,  historical places, culture, one of the new seven wonders, rivers underground and Cancun 3 hours away from Merida just  as an  example.   Definitely, Merida is not an expensive City, it´s safe, quiet and affordable and at the same time  has all the luxuries convinieces and pleasures of living in a Colonial City and modern in one.

Be assured that whatever monthly income you have for living, it will likely go further in Mexico. Food, labor and goods manufactured in Merida for example are extremely affordable. For instance, you can have a maid or gardener for the equivalent of US$2.50 to $3.50 USD an hour. A man can get his hair cut for about $5.00 USD, you can have high speed broadband for approximately $30 USD a month and, best of all, property taxes range around $50 to $200 USD per year! Transportation is another real bargain with bus fare in Merida around $5 pesos ($0.38USD). And, if you don’t like to cook, eating out is also a real bargain. You’ll have to see it to believe it. When you come on to Merida we take you to different restaurants for every lunch and dinner so you can enjoy the variety, quality and low prices of the restaurants in the Beachfront area. Where else can you find an Argentinean 27-oz filet for two for around $170 pesos! Come join us and we’ll tell you where you can find that treat!

Health care in Mexico is a bargain by United States standards, and you can find mexican medicare coverage. A doctor’s checkup in most of Mexico will cost about $30, without insurance. Fresh local fruits and vegetables are extremely cheap compared to those in the United States, but processed foods are more expensive. Household help, such as maids, gardeners, cooks and nannies, is affordable in Mexico. Wages are around $20usd per day, depending upon the region. If you’re addicted to cheap Chinese imports, though, Mexico will be a surprise. Tariffs make many common household goods quite expensive. It is cheaper to find handmade, and often better-quality, items made in Mexico.

Seasoned travelers, expatriates and snowbirds in Mexico share their insights on how to discover if Mexico is affordable and right for you. They recommend doing extended tours of the regions in which you are most interested. While in Mexico, connect with other members of the expatriate community, and ask them about living expenses. Also visit online forums and  groups that discuss the cost of living in Mexico.

For more information visit: yucatanbestliving.com

Filed under: Helpful Information on August 18th, 2009 | No Comments »

Tour To Chichen Itza

chichen_itza__mexico

Chichen Itza is the best preserved of the many Mayan ruins in Mexico and Central America.

Deep within the jungles of Mexico and Guatemala and extending into the limestone shelf of the Yucatan peninsula lie the mysterious temples and pyramids of the Maya. While Europe was still in the midst of the Dark Ages, these amazing people had mapped the heavens, evolved the only true writing system native to the Americas and were masters of mathematics. They invented the calendars we use today. Without metal tools, beasts of burden or even the wheel they were able to construct vast cities across a huge jungle landscape with an amazing degree of architectural perfection and variety. Their legacy in stone, which has survived in a spectacular fashion at places such as Palenque, Tikal, Tulum, Chichén Itzá, Copan and Uxmal, lives on as do the seven million descendants of the classic Maya civilization

he Maya are probably the best-known of the classical civilizations of Mesoamerica. Originating in the Yucatan around 2600 B.C., they rose to prominence around A.D. 250 in present-day southern Mexico, Guatemala, northern Belize and western Honduras. Building on the inherited inventions and ideas of earlier civilizations such as the Olmec, the Maya developed astronomy, calendrical systems and hieroglyphic writing. The Maya were noted as well for elaborate and highly decorated ceremonial architecture, including temple-pyramids, palaces and observatories, all built without metal tools. They were also skilled farmers, clearing large sections of tropical rain forest and, where groundwater was scarce, building sizable underground reservoirs for the storage of rainwater. The Maya were equally skilled as weavers and potters, and cleared routes through jungles and swamps to foster extensive trade networks with distant peoples.

Around 300 B.C., the Maya adopted a hierarchical system of government with rule by nobles and kings. This civilization developed into highly structured kingdoms during the Classic period, A.D. 200-900.

Their society consisted of many independent states, each with a rural farming community and large urban sites built around ceremonial centers. It started to decline around A.D. 900 when – for reasons which are still largely a mystery – the southern Maya abandoned their cities. When the northern Maya were integrated into the Toltec society by A.D. 1200, the Maya dynasty finally came to a close, although some peripheral centers continued to thrive until the Spanish Conquest in the early sixteenth century.

Top 5 must-see Chichen Itza  attractions

El Castillo

This structure (see photo above) is by far the tourism star of Chicken Itza. This high pyramid temple dominates the entire site and has become the visual symbol of Chichen Itza. The name El Castillo (the castle) was bestowed by the 16th century Spanish conquistadores. The ancient name is Kukulcan.

Templeof  the Warriors

A striking forest of stone columns surround this large structure. It is decorated with relief carvings of warriors.

Ball Court

Without using their hands or feet, players had to fling a ball through one of the stone rings attached high on the wall. Pictorial evidence suggests that the team captain was sometimes beheaded, but doesn’t indicate whether he led the winning or losing team.

Cenote

A cenote is a sinkhole. The one named Sacred Cenote is remarkably wide and deep. This circular pit served as a water source for the population. Treasures (and perhaps humans) were tossed into the cenote’s pool to win the goodwill of the gods.

El Caracol

An astronomical observatory with a circular tower. Its functions included identifying the precise time of the equinoxes for religious and agricultural purposes. I will also remember waking up early one morning and seeing El Caracol dramatically framed by my hotel-room window.

Runners-up

Other worthy Chichen Itza must-sees include the Nunnery, High Priest’s Tomb, and Temple of the Jaguars.

Tips & Insightson Chichen Itza

Name& pronunciation

Chichen Itza  means “Mouth of the well of the Itza people”. This ancient name is pronounced: chee-kehn’ eee-zuh’

Golden Age

Many scholars believe that Chichen Itza thrived from about 200 AD to 1000 AD (and perhaps into the early 1200s).

Climbing prohibited in 2006

Tourists are no longer allowed to climb the steep steps to the top of El Castillo for the spectacular view of the Chichen Itza complex. This rule was implemented in March 2006 because the ruins are deteriorating. Another reason is it that the steep and narrow steps are hazardous – and have scared the daylights out of many tourists who looked down the 365 precipitous steps after scaling the monument.

At night

You can attend a narrated Light & Sound presentation in the evening.

Filed under: Where to go in Yucatan on August 6th, 2009 | No Comments »

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