A Fideicomiso is a Trust, similar to an Estate Trust in the United States which gives the owner of the property all of the rights of ownership.  This is not a land lease.  The Trust is established solely for the ownership of land in Mexico.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the agency that issues a permit to the Mexican bank of the purchaser’s choice.  The bank acts as the “Trustee” for the Trust.  The Purchaser, (owner), is the  “Beneficiary” of the Trust.  The Trust is not an asset of the bank.  The bank simply acts as the Trustee to hold the Trust and takes direction from the Beneficiary regarding the Trust.  An annual fee is paid to the bank for acting as the “Trustee”. 

The owner’s (purchaser’s) rights are the same as a property owner in the U.S. or Canada.  These rights include the right to enjoy, sell, rent, and improve the property, etc. 

The term of the Trust when first set up was 30 years.  It is now a 50-year term and is automatically renewed at the end of the term an additional 50 years.  The Trust can be renewed for perpetuity, allowing for long-term control of the property and allowing the owner to pass the property on to heirs.  The Trust may be transferred to another Buyer or to another person via a Cession de Derechos (Succession or assignment of Rights.)  There are fees for each transfer, which are calculated by a Notary in Mexico.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.   Martin Luther King Jr.

Mulege

Another favorite spot on the Baja Peninsula is Mulege.  It is located at the mouth of the Rio Santa Rosalia in Baja California Sur, just 38 miles south of Santa Rosalia. This small town of just over 3000 is nestled between two hills in a lush tropic palm oasis divided by a shaded river that runs towards and estuary that flows to the sea.  This town is rich in history with great sites to see including the Mision Santa Rosalia de Mulege founded in 1705, the old state penitentiary finished in 1907, and the Sierra de Guadalupe cave paintings.

In addition to the historical sites there are numerous outdoor activities from mountain biking, scuba diving and kayaking to deep sea fishing. Here the cold northern current and the warm southern current come together creating an environment for catching some of the 100 different species of fish in these waters.

Mulege is 650 miles south of the San Diego/Tijuana border crossing on Mexican Highway #1.  It is a two lane road from Ensenada south to Mulege. By air there are three airstrips that serve Mulege, Hotel Serenidad Airstrip, The Mulege Municipal and Punta San Pedro.  Regional flights are available at the Palo Verde airport and International flights are available at the Loreto Airport.
Santa Rosalia is yet another town to explore on the southern Baja Peninsula. The origins of this town go back to the horse riding of a ranchman named Jose Rosas Villavicencio.  He discovered some blue-green rocks which stood out on the side of the Santa Agueda stream.  These rocks were copper and had round shapes like balls.  From there the name El Boleo was born, the French company that arrived in 1885 and stayed for 100 years. 

The Boleo built several towns of wood and Santa Roslia was the economic center.  The Boleao domineered the surrounding mountainous region as well as the maritime installations and was the sovereign owner of the foundry, ice factory, bakery, homes, hospital, school, grave yards and the two main colonies: Mesa Fancier and Mesa Mexico.

Due to the exploitation of the copper deposits, Santa Rosalia now has the only historical monument zone in the state of Baja California Sur.  The most emblematical buildings of that industrial development are found here.  There is a steel church whose design is attributed to Gustave Eiffel, the architect of the Eiffel Tower. The old headquarters of The Boleo also stands out because of its architecture and historical significance.  Due to this site Mexico was the main producer of copper in the world by the end of the 19th century. Those who worked the mine included Yaquis, Mayas, Chinese, Californians and Mexicans who came from different parts of the country for almost 70 years.

The most striking of all the buildings is the church of Santa Barbara.  Here is an extraordinary historical archive which accounts the historical process of the region.  There is a chartroom where the designs of the machinery used in the mining works and foundry of metals is found.  Located in the same building is part of the original furniture of the Boleo epoch including chairs, tables, fans, telephones, files, and desks.  In addition there are the meeting room, offices, treasury, the vault used for safeguarding valuables, the helm of the steamship “San Luciano” and the memory of the workers who worked in the mining camps.

We took time to explore this town on one of our drives and would recommend the same to anyone driving the Baja.

Information provided by mexsense.com
Author:  Jorge Amao Manriquez

Aero Calafia offers a fabulous “Grey Whale Adventure” tour during whale season.

The tour includes:

Ground transportation pick up and drop off from your accommodations to the airport.

Fabulous scenic flight to Magdalena Bay

3 Hours of whale watching

Lunch in a local restaurant, sodas, water and snacks

During the winter the grey whales migrate to the lagoons of the Baja Peninsula.  Between the months of January and March great activity takes place in that babies are born, mothers and babies frolic in the waters by coming to the surface, jumping out of the water and swimming close to the boats of those visiting their habitat.  Approximately 1000 whales are born each year and you can be an observer of this beauty in nature.  In addition to whale watching visitors will observe different species of birds and dolphins in their environments.

For a spectacular day observing Mother Nature this is must do adventure.

Adults $440 USD

Children $395 USD

Loreto

When driving the Baja between Phoenix and Cabo San Lucas one of our favorite stops is Loreto, located on the Sea of Cortez side of the Baja Peninsula.  Loreto was founded in 1697 by Jesuit missionaries and was the first Spanish settlement on the east coast of Baja California.  Loreto served as the capital of the province of Las Californias from 1697 until February 3, 1777. 

Today, Loreto is a tourist resort with daily flights arriving at the Loreto International Airport.  Tourists enjoy great fishing and the beautiful Sea of Cortez.  There is an excellent museum in town beside the historic, active parish.  The Spanish Fathers found a steady spring of fresh water on this site.

The climate is hot and humid with loads of sunshine.  Average temperature is 76 except June through October where the average temperature is 93 and higher humidity. 

We have stayed at the Posada de Las Flores, our favorite, and the La Pinta.  There are other options as well as private home rentals.  We have always found Loreto a beautiful, clean town with warm people and great food!  If you get the opportunity to visit Loreto, take it.