What's New In Yucatan-Life: Yucatan blogWelcome to our Blog on Yucatan life. We hope to provide you with a real look into life in Yucatan and what it means to retire for less in this wonderful, expat haven.
Check back often and read our Yucatan blogs' updates!
Merida English Library VideoTake a look at this great video about the Merida English Library which can be found in "el Centro" of Merida, Yucatan Mexico. They provide a lot of opportunities for you to get engaged in the local and expat communities. Yucatan Real Estate - Your Insiders GuideIn Yucatan real estate can come in many forms and what you decide to purchase or rent, while you are searching and developing you language skills, may be in the city, the jungle or on the beach. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Yucatan Real Estate - Your Insiders Guide" Free Calls to US! Good deal on Magic Jack
Sunset on the new Boardwalk in Progreso YucatanThese fantastic Pictures of the newly completed Melcon (Boardwalk) in Progreso Yucatan. Endeavour Space Shuttle Night Reentry 01-06-2011 Yucatan MexicoSuch clear nights without all of the light pollution in Yucatan, Mexico.
Trans-peninsular Train Approved from Merida to CancunPlans to construct a high speed railway for Merida to Cancun have been approved by the states of Yucatan and Quintana Roo. Once financing is approved by the Investment Unit of the Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) construction should begin by the end of this year or in the beginning of 2012. This will be exciting news for travelers between Cancun and Merida since direct international flights are seasonal and requires visitors to Merida to buy a very expensive flight from Cancun to Merida or to take The national ADO four hour buss between the two cities. They estimate that the train will travel at 120 km per hour. Hardly high speed by Japanese/Chinese standards but much faster than other local trains and yes you can drive faster on the cuota/toll road but you would avoid the checkpoints, driving after a long day of travel or having to go to the central bus terminal in Cancun. The American and Canadian expat community, I believe will utilize this train often as will the frequent visitors to Cancun. Additionally, travel to Merida, which has been somewhat isolated from much tourism since the reduction of direct flights occurred years ago, should benefit from visitors from Cancun. The train will seem much less daunting to tourist than attempting to maneuver through the complicated bus system. Additionally, travel for locals should increase with the reduction of travel time since the cost of using the cuota road can be expensive for them and therefore they tend to still use the dangerous old road with all of the stops in every village and town with their topes/speedbumps. This will depend on the cost of a train ticket. Rio LagartosRio Lagartos is located on the Gulf of Mexico in the north east corner of the state of Yucatan and near the state border with Quintana Roo. It is a 30 minute drive north from Tizimin. The Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve is the main destination of the American Flamingos heading east from Celestun and points in between. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Rio Lagartos" Discover Ek BalamEk Balam, Black Jaguar, has come a long way since my first visit in 1987. These ruins are north of Valladolid, Yucatan and offer the adventurer a chance to experience ruins many retirees or tourists may not see. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Discover Ek Balam" Moving to Mexico? How to Ship Your Belongings AbroadDecided to ship your belongings abroad? Moving to Mexico? If you choose the long distance moving companies route, your cost may well vary... Permalink -- click for full blog post "Moving to Mexico? How to Ship Your Belongings Abroad" Tampa Progreso FerryIt is estimated the Tampa Progreso ferry will cost approximately $350 for a round trip with a cabin and meals but the company has not revealed how much it will charge to bring a car into Mexico... Permalink -- click for full blog post "Tampa Progreso Ferry" Mérida, Yucatán: Utilities and CommunicationsRead this great article from our friends at BicycleYucatan.com to learn more about Utilities and Communications in Merida, Yucatan. A fundamental shift has taken place in Mexico’s electricity sector in recent years. Although theconstitution guarantees a monopoly for the state in the sale of electricity to consumers, a number ofexceptions exist. Due to rulings during the 1990s, private companies and individuals can generatepower that is then sold to the CFE, the state monopoly, and then onto private customers. Also, privatecompanies can generate electricity for their own use without having to deal with the CFE (except interms of transmission and regulation). An example of this is Walmart of Mexico who announced in Mayof 2010 that power for 348 of its stores and restaurants in Mexico City, State of Mexico, and Morelos,would now be provided by a wind farm located in the state of Oaxaca. Yucatan Properties: Hot deals from our inside connections!See all of the hot Yucatan properties deals from our builders and other inside connections! Retirement or Pleasure? We are here to help you with both! Permalink -- click for full blog post "Yucatan Properties: Hot deals from our inside connections!" Advertise with Yucatan-Life.comAdvertise your business or real estate with us Yucatan-Life.com Permalink -- click for full blog post "Advertise with Yucatan-Life.com" Is Yucatan Safe?The question of safety continuously comes up when talking to my friends. Is Yucatan Safe? Yes I lecture about the benefits of living in Yucatan, Mexico. I love the Yucatan and make no apologies... Permalink -- click for full blog post "Is Yucatan Safe?" Quick, One Day, Spring Break Tours Worth Doing!Check out www.Yucatan-Life.com for more specific information. -Mayan ruin exploration of Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza, Ekbalam are very doable daytrips. -You can scuba dive off the coast on the Great Meso-American Barrier Reef. -Visit Isla Mujeres, an island next to Cancun to the north that has great family friendly activities. -Swim-snorkel on the Garafon Reef of Isla Mujeres. -Swim with dolphins and turtles. -Spend the day on Cozumel. -Go swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving in one of the many Cenotes in the area. -Visit the Colonial City of Valladolid and experience the real Mexico. -Spend the day deep sea fishing. -Swim with the whale sharks. -Go for a day cruise on a boat. -Parasailing 2012 at Chichen Itza!We all know how difficult it is to "Reserve time to see our Grandchildren"! Modern life can be difficult. How do you compete with 4 sets of grandparents? Grandma#4 and I have reservations for the Mayan "apocalypse" on Dec. 21, 2012. My plan is to be at Chichen Itza on that date and to either experience the end of the world or be part of the best party in the world celebrating the next millennium. Definitely something for my granddaughters to talk about. Yucatan Fishing TermsThe following is a limited list of Yucatan fishing terms that the Non-Spanish speaking angler may find helpful. Fish commonly found along the coast of Yucatan allows for a variety of fishing... Permalink -- click for full blog post "Yucatan Fishing Terms" Linea Peninsular: Moving to MexicoLinea Peninsular has been in business since 1984, specializing in the transport of all types of cargo to and from the Yucatan Peninsula. We are a full service shipping company that offers... Permalink -- click for full blog post "Linea Peninsular: Moving to Mexico" Yucatan SportsWhile researching Yucatan sports for our website, quite often I run across people asking what there is to do in Yucatan. It brings a smile to my face each time. The list of things to do is unending Permalink -- click for full blog post "Yucatan Sports" Merida continues to be a great boxing venue!On August 23, 1975, Tio Pepe Machain Esquilante, my future brother in law Alejandro Lopez Machain and I went to the WBC Championship Title Fight of the World and witnessed the defeat of OPBF champion Jiro Takada by 11th round TKO. Since that time the Parque de Kulkulkan was completed and became the sports venue of Merida. The Parque de Kululkan is a very large sports complex situated on the eastern side of Merida along the Circuito Colonias Oriente. The Kukulkan Stadium, on the Circuito Colonias Oriente is easy to find. The Circuito Colonias, was literally a circular road built around the city to relieve some of the inner city traffic. The city quickly overgrew the road. Eventually, the Anillo Periferico/ Peripheral Ring Road was built and it too is now being over-run by the city on the northern side. Merida continues to be a great boxing venue! The Poliformo is a world renowned boxing venue. Gilberto Keb Baas born in Hunucma, Yucatan and fought Omar Nino Romero at the Poliforum Zamna on Nov. 6, 2010 won a majority decision and is the current WBC Light Flyweight Champion WBC Light Flyweight World Champion Gilberto Keb Baas and his challenger WBC former world champion Jose Antonio ¨Jaguar¨ Aguirre are in training for their match on February 26, 2010 at the Poliforum Zamna in Merida, Yucatan. The event is billed as Prueba de Fuego/ Proof of Fire! Mexico Sports Fishing: Enjoy the ActionThe Mexico sports fishing waters of Yucatan is rich with a variety of sport fish such as Marlin, Wahoo, Dorado, Tuna, kingfish, and Barracuda. Every port along the coasts provides sport fishing... Permalink -- click for full blog post "Mexico Sports Fishing: Enjoy the Action" Isla Mujeres - Memories on this beautiful island!Have you ever been to a place that tends to stick in your mind and pop up when you think of past times? Isla Mujeres Mexico is that place for me. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Isla Mujeres - Memories on this beautiful island!" Retirement In Mexico - Find Out How Others Do It!Wow! You really are thinking of retirement in Mexico! What next? I know it’s scary. The way past those doubts is to educate yourself! Permalink -- click for full blog post "Retirement In Mexico - Find Out How Others Do It!" Telecommunication Services and MailingAlmost everything you need to know about keeping in touch with family and friends using mailing, telecommunication, skype, and more. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Telecommunication Services and Mailing " Driving in Mexico; From Michigan to Brownsville TX to Yucatan!My real experience of driving in mexico with my family to Merida, Yucatan. Mexican Auto InsuranceToday, Mexico still does not require you to carry Mexican auto insurance but in an accident, you are expected to have the where with all to cover damages and expenses. Hence, buy insurance! Permalink -- click for full blog post "Mexican Auto Insurance" Valladolid YucatanThe market area of Valladolid Yucatan is the perfect place for tourist to obtain classical Mayan wares at the best price and Valladolid is one the best jumping off places to the Mayan experience! Permalink -- click for full blog post "Valladolid Yucatan" Take Pets To Mexico... How To and Common Worries...One of the major questions confronting the prospective retiree to Mexico is whether they can take their pets to Mexico. The answer is... Permalink -- click for full blog post "Take Pets To Mexico... How To and Common Worries..." Merida Properties For SaleLooking for Merida properties for sale? This new home is available in Merida and it is completely finished and ready for you to move into in Colony Pedregales de Tanlum, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico Permalink -- click for full blog post "Merida Properties For Sale" Life in Yucatan, Mexico- Retire for Less with a Romantic LifestyleLearn how to retire for less in Yucatan, retire earlier than you may think, and live a higher lifestyle than most people do in retirement. Mexico offers so much... Get Mexico Plastic SurgeryIn Mexico plastic surgery is the American's dream come true... Permalink -- click for full blog post "Get Mexico Plastic Surgery" Mexico Food = Yucatan Cooking...mmmIs there anything better Mexico food, especially Yucateco cooking? I think not! Yucateco culinary arts have developed from ancient Mayan recipes combined with foods and spices from the Spaniards. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Mexico Food = Yucatan Cooking...mmm" Merida Yucatan - The RomanticMerida Yucatan, also known as the “White City” is the capital of the State of Yucatan, Mexico. Home to the oldest cathedral in the Americas… Known as the safest city throughout Mexico it is quite.. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Merida Yucatan - The Romantic " Health insurance Mexico - A great benefit available to ex-pats.A great benefit available to ex-pats is the national health insurance Mexico and it’s benefits. The program is available to any citizen and to anyone with a FM2 or FM3 visa. Dzitya Yucatan, Investment Property or Eco-Retirement EscapeDzitya Yucatan - Is a seductive oppurtunity for any investor. In the path of progress of Merida... but teeming with wildlife. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Dzitya Yucatan, Investment Property or Eco-Retirement Escape" Living In Yucatan - Chicxulub - Retirement, Opportunity, RelaxationEvery thought of living in Yucatan? Take advantage of this oppurtunity to live in Chicxulub. Swim on the beach everyday! Experience Chichen Itza the Right WayChichen Itza is the most visited of all of the Mayan cities. Long gone are the days of parking next to the one room office and wandering about! Permalink -- click for full blog post "Experience Chichen Itza the Right Way" Izamal, The Yellow City, is one of the 35 “Magical Towns” of Mexico.Izamal, The Yellow City, is one of the 35 “Magical Towns” of Mexico. The entire downtown is painted in a egg-yolk yellow. The streets are made of cobblestone and the sound of horse... Doing business in MexicoBefore doing business in Mexico you need to know the ins and outs of setting up... Permalink -- click for full blog post "Doing business in Mexico " Yucateco Business CharacteristicsYucatan throughout its history has had a continuous deluge of outsiders invading them and attempting to control them. Consequently, there is an underlying Yucateco business characteristic/resentment Permalink -- click for full blog post "Yucateco Business Characteristics" About the Author of Yucatan-Life.com : Jeff StoreyAll about the author of Yucatan-Life.com and how he became an expert on Yucatan. Permalink -- click for full blog post "About the Author of Yucatan-Life.com : Jeff Storey" Mexico Vacation PlannerThe Yucatan Peninsula is a necessity on everyone’s bucket list! This Mexico Vacation Planner will guide your vacation. Visit the Mayan pyramids, colonial cities, and indigenous villages! Permalink -- click for full blog post "Mexico Vacation Planner" Sisal Rope HistoryHave you every read much on the Sisal rope history? Much has been written about the history of Sisal Yucatan but its origins come from the smaller version of the smaller Henequen plant that grows... Permalink -- click for full blog post "Sisal Rope History" The end of the World is believed by some to correspond with the end of the Maya calendar on Dec. 21, 2012.A small enclave of Italian citizens, in the village of Xul, have established a settlement where they intend to sit out the apocalypse that the ancient Maya predicted for Dec. 21, 2012 which is the end of the Mayan 5,00 year cycle. Xul (shool) is a village in the municipalidad of Oxkutzcab, 65 kms south of Merida, Yucatan’s capital, and 95 kms SW of Chichen Itza near the Maya ruins, along the Puuc Route, of Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, Labna, and the Caverns of Loltun. The building of this Italian community has been an economic boom to campesinos, and for the most part, have kept to themselves although governments officials are concerned that as December 21, 2012 approaches, other groups may begin to pop up. This enclave is not the only settlement as, bit by bit, other groups have settled in the area of Chichen Itza with similar beliefs such as in Ek Balam just north of there. Hurricane Preparedness: Must know information...In Yucatan a hurricane is a relatively common occurrence. In the 1980’s, while living in our beach house in San Bruno, we mainly relied on the radio for any warnings of bad weather coming our way. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Hurricane Preparedness: Must know information..." Documents Requiring an ApostilleAn “Apostille “ is required of all documents needed for government use. The Apostille was the result of the 1961 Hague Convention. Mexico and U.S. have signed this agreement, Canada has not. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Documents Requiring an Apostille" Essential Expat Tax AdviceExpat tax advice is essential to retirees planning to spend their retirement years in Mexico or in other countries! Permalink -- click for full blog post "Essential Expat Tax Advice" Expat Tax Issues- While Living in MexicoExpat tax issues are a growing concern for us. For years, moving to a foreign country has been a way to avoid paying US taxes. The IRS, through tax treaties, has increased its ability to track... Permalink -- click for full blog post "Expat Tax Issues- While Living in Mexico" Expat Tax Planning; Must Know AdviceExpat tax planning can be a complex process! Learn more on legally avoiding state and local income taxes. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Expat Tax Planning; Must Know Advice" New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
Sign up below for our newsletter now! Hot deals and insider advice on life in Yucatan!
Hot Deals!
Merida:
