Go away and enjoy your vacation…….Hot suggestions

Going on Vacation?? Leave your Blackberry behind. Experts say that people who are connected to the office, even while lounging on the beach are less likely to receive the full benefits of a vacation.

Stay healthy on vacation……

Before you go, start adjusting your sleep schedule to your destination’s time zone. If you are heading overseas or your itinerary includes outdoorsy type activities, check to make sure all of your vaccinations are up to date. You do not want any nasty diseases for a souvenir.

During your stay seek out sightseeing activities that incorporate fitness like a hiking or walking that will burn about 300 calories an hour. Start you lunch and dinner with a salad or broth based soup. You will consume approximately 12 percent fewer calories during your stay.

After you vacation, schedule a post massage with a really good masseuse. Even a short massage will ease your travel aches and boost your mood.

While on the plane, turn off the air nozzle above your sat as it can circulate airborne germs…….

Recently one of my friends took a 2 month driving trip through Mexico.  She was kind enough to share her trip with us and allow us to share her comments on this blog.  The following are her notes of their trip.

We left Nogales, Arizona at 6:00am April 26th, 2010 and our goal was Mazatlan by evening.  This drive is a toll road all the way and you do have to drive thru some of the towns along the way.   The only stops we made were for gas and restrooms.   We experienced no problems along the way.

After spending 17 nights in Mazatlan we headed for Puerta Vallarta which is a toll road to TEPIC and then a smaller two lane road.  This road has alot of buses and large trucks so the drive is much slower, but there were no problems, other than getting stopped because we went thru a red light.

We spent one night in PV and headed to Manzanillo which once again is a two lane road with lots of curves.  We experienced no problems and were not stopped by anyone.

After spending 4 nights we headed back to PV and spent 16 wonderful nights with family and friends.  We drove into the countryside and up to the Punta de Mita area where there is a 4 seasons resort.   We had a great (expensive) lunch there and visited a small village north of there with great shops and restaurants right on the ocean.

We headed back to Mazatlan for an additional 3 nights before heading back to the US.  We were stopped 2 times asking if we had any fruits or vetables, one time where they ran our luggage thru an xray machine, another time where they just ask us where we had been and where we were going.

It was a wonderful trip and I would not hesitate to do a repeat.

Claudia

If you want to “Live the Experience” book a special tour with High Tide Los Cabos.  Listed below are scheduled tours, however High Tide Los Cabos will custom design any tour to your desire.

Surf Lessons at Cerritos Beach in the Winter

This world renowned surf spot with a beach break is exposed to west swells that can light up for days on end with super clean conditions.  It’s a great spot seasoned surfers and beginners alike.

2 Bay Kayak and Snorkel Tours

Chileno Bay and Santa Maria Bay are the best bays in Cabo for swimming and snorkeling.  Santa Maria is surrounded by craggy cliffs and you might see many species of tropical fish and gorgonians lining the rock walls.  East of Santa Maria is Chileno Bay.  Tidal pools towards the eastern bluff are great to explore.  You will take a Kayak from Santa Maria to Chileno Bay and enjoy a protected finger reef, teeming with tropical fish, eels, starfish and urchins in calm shallow water.

Kayak and Snorkeling to the Arch

The famous arch is an ideal habitat for marine birds and multicolored fish.  This landmark has overwhelming beauty and an amazing rocky formation.  It brings together the crystal blue Sea of Cortez and sparkling Pacific Ocean.  The emerald waters hid a cascade of sand with a spectacular, never-ending drop.  Enjoy the sunset, the sea lions’ colony and enjoy a walk at Lover’s Beach.

Surf Lessons at Costa Azul in the summer

Summer and fall are the best seasons to catch waves in Cabo as the water temperature is perfect for surfers.

Surf Lessons Todos Santos

Another popular place where the surfers hang!

Jeep/ Hummer Expeditions

Explore the back roads of southern Baja and enjoy views of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains while following the river bed into the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.  Each expedition includes a bilingual guide, driver, sunset drinks and snacks and dinner on the beach.

Art Walk in old San Jose del Cabo

Enjoy a night’s stroll through the beautiful streets of San Jose.  Walkers may choose to purchase or just appreciate the quality of the works shown while savoring a glass of wine.  This tour includes round trip van ride, bilingual guide, glass of wine, bottled water and sodas.

Hiking Tour to Fox Canyon

This hiking tour will take you to a river across the mountains to a beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert. The hike starts down hill with a swim in the natural pool nested next to a great waterfall.

Organic Market and Estuary Tour in San Jose del Cabo

The Organic Market downtown has become a popular place for the locals.  Join this tour of the market, estuary and Cacti Mundo (Cactus World) for a glimpse of los Cabos in its natural and cultural essence.

Custom Tours are crafted to meet each person’s wishes.  Recently a group requested a bird watching tour which was arranged by Hightide.   A photographer visiting Cabo asked for a “photo shoot” tour to capture the best of Los Cabos and it was truly a success.

For any of these tours or to request your custom tour contact:

Karen

www.Hightideloscabos.com

info@hightideloscabos.com

624-142-0424

****Be sure to tell them Baja Sur Vacation Rentals and 2 Cabo Tours sent you!

I am often asked if you can own property in Mexico and the answer is yes.  We purchased our first home, Casa Oasis, ( a spec home) in 1997 and sold it in 2005.  Our second home in Cabo was a fixer upper.  After a year of  renovations we moved in and continue to enjoy Pacific Ocean breezes and the fabulous weather in Cabo.

Casa Oasis is now in our rental inventory and we have many great memories of our time  in Casa Oasis.

As in the US, when purchasing a home in Cabo, you should work with a reputable Realtor.  Having lived in Cabo since 1998 I personally know a number of Realtors who I would recommend.  I have featured a short list on this blog but have several more I would also recommend. The process is similar to the US with a purchase contract (in English and Spanish), negotiations between buyer and seller, transfer of funds, closing and possession.  The following information will familiarize you with terms and people involved in the purchase of real estate.

Fideicomiso is a word you will want to know about.  In the “restricted zone” of Mexico, which is 100 kilometers from the border and 40 kilometers from the coast, a foreigner may purchase property only by means of a fideicomiso (fee-day-coe-me-so), commonly known as a trust.  A fideicomiso is a 50 year renewable bank trust granting a foreigner purchaser the right to use, improve, rent, sell or otherwise enjoy the property.  The foreigner purchaser is the beneficiary of the trust.  As the beneficiary, the buyer enjoys all the rights of home ownership, including the right to sell, lease, improve, mortgage or will the property.  A fideicomiso can be extended by another 50 years at the end of its terms.  To extend a combined 100 year term, the owner must apply for a new foreign affairs permit.  A buyer may elect to be assigned the rights of the seller’s existing trust based on the time left on the trust.  This process is called an assignment of rights (cession de derechos).  A minimal annual fee is paid to the Mexican Bank for the trust.

A notary in Mexico is an important person in any real estate transaction.  A notary, called a “notario publico”, is a licensed attorney certified by the state or federal government to act as an official and unbiased representative of the government of Mexico.  A notary in Mexico has much more responsibility than a U.S. notary, with responsibility to both the buyer and the seller.  The Notario Publico ensures the legality of the transfer of title:, calculates and retains the seller’s capital gains tax on behalf of the Mexican government; collects and pays the purchaser’s 2% acquisition tax; coordinates appraisals, certificates of no liens and certificates of no debt; and requests all corresponding permits.  The notary must record the transaction at the public registry and tax (cadastral) office after closing.  The buyer will be charged a fee based on the value of the property.  Any real estate transaction not ratified before a notary and duly recorded in the public registry is considered invalid and not enforceable.

What is the Trustee Bank?  This is the Mexican bank authorized to act as trustee.  It must be a Mexican registered financial institution with an established trust department.  The properties held in trust by the bank are not assets of the bank.  We have used BBVA Bancomer and ScotiaBank Inverlat, S.A. personally.  As a purchaser, you have the right to select any qualified Mexican bank as your trustee bank.  Check with your professional Realtor for additional trustee banks.

Title Insurance?  Yes    Title insurance is an insurance policy for property ownership.  Title policy is the only monetary indemnification a buyer can obtain to guarantee ownership of Mexican real estate.

How long does closing take in Mexico?  Normally closing takes 60-90 working days.  However, due to Mexican holidays, permit delays and the trustee bank delays may happen.  Such delays are not considered defaults by the buyer or seller as they are beyond their control.

What does a closing date mean in your contract?  This date is established in the Offer to Purchase or the Buy/Sell Agreement.  It is important that you understand that this “closing date” is a target date as the actual final closing date is determined by the notary.

Hopefully this information has been useful to you who are considering purchasing property in Mexico.  Our experiences in purchasing property in Mexico have been positive and rewarding.

I you are flying by commercial airline to Cabo San Lucas you will land at the San Jose del Cabo Airport (SJD) about 45 minutes from Cabo San Lucas.  There are two large terminals and one private  terminal.  Once you arrive you will clear customs and collect your luggage.  When you have your luggage you will put the luggage through the security check machines and then be asked to push a button for a green or red light.  If you get a red light not to worry, the officials just want to take a peek in your bags.  Once you clear security you will be on your way to enjoying the beautiful weather, beaches, culture and people of Los Cabos.

Los Cabos offers one of the top private airports in Mexico.  Information you will need before planning a flight is below:

The San Jose Del Cabo Airport is  primarily used for civilian aircraft.  Facilities include a control tower, Flight Service Station, fuel and tarmac jet parking and limited maintenance.  No hangars are available.

Los Cabos International

San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Time Zone:  Mountain

Latitude: 23°09′07″N (23.151850)

Longitude: 109°43′16″W (-109.721044)

Elevation: 358

Variation: -10

Longest Runway: 9843

Dept: ATIS: 127.6

ARR. ATIS: 127.6

Tower: 118.9

Phone: 011-52-624-145-5111

Frequency: 129.9

Airport Ident: MMSD

Field Elevation: 374’

Customs: Airport of Entry