A new marina and golf course has entered the Mexico East Cape real estate scene in La Ribera - a small fishing village located on the Sea of Cortez in the Baja.  Cabo Riviera is a master planned community centralized around a marina and golf course offering 400 waterfront homesites and a secure place to park your boat.  The project is expected to be completed in 2011.  Two major five-star resort hotels will also be part of the master plan at Cabo Riviera.  The Mandarin Hotel has signed an agreement to build one of the hotels, but the other site has yet to be claimed.

In an effort to harmonize with the natural environment, these resort hotels will be limited to three stories and will incorporate the surrounding geographic elements.  Features such as fresh water estuaries and walking trails will highlight the low density site plans.  200 villas will be built in addition to the hotels.

There are only a few remaining homesites available in Phase One.  Prices range from $230,000 to $650,000 depending on golf course versus marina locations.  Phase one property owners will receive a developer incentive including 50% discounts on greens fees and 25% discounts on marina services.  Permanent owners will have the ability to leave up to 100 foot boats moored along the channel.  Vacation owners will be able to call the marina to have their boats taken out of dry dock and moved to their moorings to be ready in advance of their stay.

Please contact Alfredo Cristo for more information about this exciting new East Cape real estate opportunity.

La Paz real estate heats up as Phase II swings into action at the CostaBaja Resort and Marina.  Phase II includes the development of both the VistaMar and Las Colinas neighborhoods as well as the new Gary Player-designed golf course.  VistaMar residences will be situated high above the Sea of Cortez on the bluffs while Las Colinas homes will be nestled in and around the golf course also featuring views to the Sea of Cortez. 

Home ownership provides full access to all the resort’s facilities such as: the CostaBaja Beach Club, Pueblo Marinero - the marina village, a fitness center, outdoor amphitheater, a sea view trail system, the Espiritu Spa, golf course and the Marina itself with 250 boat slips. 

Phase I is completely sold out and Phase II homes are in high demand.  This first class community offers the finest in resort amenities, a private Sea of Cortez beach location and the convenience of a short five minute drive to historic La Paz making it a one of a kind opportunity!

Relocating to the Baja?  Please contact Alfredo Cristo for help with real estate options.

Search for available properties in La Paz, Los Barriles, Loreto, Mulege, Baja Sur - Mexico

Mulegé is a wonderfully small Sea of Cortez beach town located approximately two hours north of Loreto, Mexico.  It is a place where locals still often head out to catch their dinner - an eight street town with no stoplights and a myriad of empty beaches hidden amongst beautiful coves.  It is true authentic Mexico remaining untouched by the development creeping up Mexico’s East Cape coastline.  Loreto, a charming town in itself, has hit the scenes with its own airport, golf courses, shopping malls, nightclubs and more.

Mulegé has about 4,000 residents, many of which live near the palm tree-lined estuary (an arroyo - basically a run off basin for seasonal water drainage) emptying into the Sea of Cortez.  The desert-tropic feel provides the perfect environment for just about anything: kayaking, snorkeling, diving, hiking, biking, bird watching, fishing - you name it!  The marine life in and around Mulegé is absolutely fabulous.  Mulegé’s coves are surrounded by many small islands which provide lots of natural reefs for sea life to thrive.  Mexico big game sport fishing is also abundant in this region.  Natural hot springs and indigenous petroglyphs can also be found throughout the region.

To get to Mulegé you can fly into Loreto and make the two hour drive north via Highway One.  You can either rent a car or take a shuttle bus - the trip is easy and the roads are well maintained.  Be prepared for a military check point along the way where you may be asked to submit to a car search.

For now, Mulegé remains undiscovered - no chain stores, no time-shares, no beach vendors - completely quiet.  Not even many tourists have discovered the region.  Time will likely change this picture, but for now you can find your own little piece of Mexican paradise in Mulegé.

Relocating to the Baja?  Please contact Alfredo Cristo for help with real estate options.

Search for available properties in La Paz, Los Barriles, Loreto, Mulege, Baja Sur - Mexico

Thinking of heading to the beautiful East Cape towns or into historic La Paz for some Mexico sport fishing?  Well, now is a great time - here’s a bit of news from the locals…

East Cape Fishing:

Tuna in the 20 pound range are finally starting to turn up under the porpoise and even a few larger have been hooked slightly north of Cabo Pulmo.  You’ll find Wahoo off the south end of Cerralvo Island.  Striped marlin and sailfish are lurking on the drop off - five to eight miles out.  With several boats reporting hookups in the morning hours before the afternoon winds picked up.  Thirty to forty pound durado can be found near the shark buoys of Punta Pescadero, while inshore schools of jacks have  been providing some fun action up and down the coastline.  Roosterfish seem to be plentiful inshore - try using mullet pattern flies.

Herring have been schooling south from El Rincon Bay to below Cabo Pulmo and north from Punta Pescadero to Muertos Bay.  Mullet can be found in the La Ribera area.  Last week the Margarita pulled in a 528 pound blue marlin!  The sound winds have picked up bringing cooler temperatures and some rough water - but the fish don’t seem to mind.

La Paz Fishing:

Prominent winds from the south have made it tough to get to spots with the bigger fish such as durado and billfish this last week.  Resulting swells also churned things up a bit producing off color waters.  However, during the calms the sagasso paddies between the islands were gold for big bulls, sailfish and marlin.  Inshore was great for roosterfish, pargo, jack crevalle, pompano and cabrilla.  Some wahoo were hooked, buy not many made it to the ice chests.  Some small durado made an appearance in a spot between the peninsula and Cerralvo Island.

Get out there and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of the Mexico East Cape!

Thanks to local fishing outfits:

Rancho Leonero Hotel
www.ranchleonero.com

East Cape Tackle
www.eastcapetackle.com

Jonathan Roldan’s Tailhunter International
www.tailhunterinternational.com

Following along in the footsteps of many US localities, the Mexican Federal Government recently "officially" announced a nationwide prohibition against smoking in enclosed public buildings, restaurants and bars.  The new law will go into effect on September 1st, 2008.  Smoking areas that are physically separated from non-smoking areas will need to be designated by walled off or glassed in areas.  New regulations mandate that non-smokers will not even have to walk through such areas - so they should be outside of the normal flow of the floorplan.  Government buildings, hospitals and schools will be entirely smoke-free zones while universities will be allowed to create their own smoking areas. 

Owners of restaurants and bars will have a 180 day cushion after the September 1st cutoff to comply with the new law and remodel their establishments.  This should be an interesting transition period for many local businesses.

Relocating to the Baja?  Please contact Alfredo Cristo for help with real estate options.

Search for available properties in La Paz, Los Barriles, Loreto, Mulege, Baja Sur - Mexico

Mexico consumer spending is still strong - supporting the economy despite lower US demand for industrial exports.  Domestic consumer spending is being fueled by readily available credit cards and other types of loans.  This confidence is expected to keep Mexico’s economy growing all year.  Banamex, the largest bank in Mexico, recently reported that it expects a 2.5 percent rise in same store sales for dominant retailer Walmart de Mexico.  So far there are no signs of an unfavorable impact from the US economic slowdown. 

Consumer credit in Mexico has only emerged in the last 10 years.  The lending industry is steadily growing and will help to continue economic growth.  With the free-flowing availability of credit, households can maintain a higher level of consistent spending.  Unlike the US however, interest rates in Mexico are extraordinarily high.  Individuals and companies can expect to spend anywhere from 25-63% to get a loan!

A healthy economy means Mexico real estate will remain strong.  Take a look at the beautiful East Cape locations if you’re looking for your Mexico getaway!

Relocating to the Baja?  Please contact Alfredo Cristo for help with real estate options.

Search for available properties in La Paz, Los Barriles, Loreto, Mulege, Baja Sur - Mexico

Now you can explore the entire Baja (Baja California and Baja California Sur) with the help of National Geographic!  Soon to be released is a Baja Geotourism map highlighting environmental attractions, geographic sites, cultural events, festivals, unique restaurants and resorts, and ecotourism tips for visiting certain regions. 

What is Geotourism anyway?  Geotourism is the idea of sustaining or enhancing the geographical character of a place through your visits - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well being of its residents.  The idea is that visitors get actively involved rather than remain simple tourist spectators.  The map will help you to observe the environment without leaving footprints.  View breeding spots without damaging nests, visit a sea lion colony without being seen - become part of nature as an aware visitor.

You’ll find tips about visiting some of the East Cape’s natural attractions like volcanic islands such as Isla Coronados, Espiritu Santo Archipelago National Park, and Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park.  Mostly, it will open your eyes to the rich ecology and history that can be found everywhere in Baja California Sur!

The map is a collaboration of both US and Mexican governments, the National Geographic Society, the Sonoran Institute and the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature.  It is available now for PDF download, take a look!

Baja Geotourism Map Front
Baja Geotourism Map Back 

In November of 2008 La Paz residents will hopefully have access to a whole new shopping experience.  Walmart and its affiliates are coming to the area including Sam’s Club, VIPS restaurant and more movie theaters.  The Walmart Commercial Center project in La Paz proposes 1,500 new local jobs.  The building site is located on a plot of land near the well-known Whale Tail sculpture at the exit to the North.

Walmart will build its own sewage treatment center just like they did in Cabo and may also be open to building a new highway overpass in the area where the store will be located.  The Governor hopes the chain will also pledge to support local farmers and fisherman, buying organic produce from Todos Santos and squid from Mulege.  Can the store truly open in November?  We’ll see … they have some big shoes to fill!

For more information about the La Paz community please contact Alfredo Cristo

Expats in Mexico, especially in the Los Cabos and East Cape region, are quite common.  However, when you go from vacationers to residents there are certain things you should consider to help you adapt to your new "foreign" lifestyle.  Being a responsible global citizen is key to building your home in another country.  Mexico is no different.  Following are some small tips to help you along the way:

Follow the Golden Rule:  Treat people as you expect to be treated in your own country.  Be respectful!

Don’t necessarily do as the Mexicans do: If you see someone being disrespectful to property or the environment, don’t follow suit.  Just because it’s ok for locals does not mean it’s ok for you!

Respect the Environment:  Help to keep the environment clean!  Dispose of your trash in the proper manner.  Help with water conservation and clean septic systems.  During the dry season water can be in short supply, try to be thoughtful of usage.  Always put TP in the trash - Mexican septic systems are typically not built to handle paper products.

Respect Mexican Culture and Customs:  Ask permission to take digital photos of people or art.  Brush up on local customs to minimize socially incorrect behavior.  Try to learn some of the hidden local meanings of words beyond the obvious definitions.    

Pay for Services Accordingly:  Don’t overpay for services just because they seem inexpensive.  This behavior will only serve to inflate those services for others.  Negotiate a fair price and tip accordingly.

Pay it Forward:  Give Back to the community.   Look for ways to help volunteer your time to better the community.  Learn from those around you, reciprocate friendliness, help and good cheer.

Have fun in your new home, embrace the new environment - this is the best way to learn!

Relocating to the Baja?  Please contact Alfredo Cristo for help with real estate options.

Search for available properties in La Paz, Los Barriles, Loreto, Mulege, Baja Sur - Mexico

As soon as the property gets a face lift and a few public services installed, the beach in front of the ex-governor’s house in La Paz will be opened to the public.  The opening of the beachfront is scheduled to coincide with the completion of the new convention center in La Paz.  Both of these projects are part of a large scale improvement affecting various parts of the city.  Locally, the beach is known as ‘El Caimancito’(alligator).  Fences currently surrounding the property are scheduled to be removed soon.  Public services such as palapas, parking areas, showers, and an area for water toys will also be installed. 

Once the beach opens, it will provide access to the new condo development, Playa La Paz.  It will also open a pathway to the new aquarium - Las Californias Aquarium.  The official opening is scheduled for sometime in early August.  The new beach will be free and open to the public of La Paz.  We’re looking forward to the addition of another gorgeous white sand hot spot! 

Relocating to La Paz?  Contact Alfredo Cristo for more information about Baja Sur real estate.