Casa de Playa is a beautiful 3 bedroom luxury home, located in the very exclusive gated and private Palmilla Development. This home is located on the 9th fairway of the Palmilla Golf Course and offers spectacular views of the Sea of Cortez.

Appointed with all the amenities, Casa de Playa is the perfect location for you to relax around the heated swimming pool or spa and enjoy your vacation.

We look forward to your visit to Casa de Play and welcome you to our “Paradise”.

Sleeping Accommodations:
3 King Beds

Refundable Security Deposit - $500.00

Yes, you can own property in Mexico however we recommend that you work with a reputable Real Estate Company and Notary that will work in your best interest.  One important bit of information you should know is that when you record your property you should  ALWAYS RECORD THE FULL VALUE

Some brokers recommend to clients that they should record a lower value on their Trust than what was actually paid for the home.  The thought process is that you save money at closing because the Mexican acquisition tax is 2% of your purchase price.  Never let anyone talk you into recording a lower value on your Trust.  It will cost you big when you sell your home.  Recording the property’s true value benefits you and establishes your cost basis in the eyes of Mexico. The amount you pay for a property has no impact on your annual property taxes.

In the Trust document the value is shown in Pesos, not U.S. Dollars.  Prior to signing your Trust and taking title, simply divide the Pesos by the current exchange rate and you will see what the value is.  Never take it for granted that an attorney or a Notary will record the full value.  As in any other document you sign always check before signing.

The value of your home when you sell is determined during the closing process.  The Notary will take your cost basis in Pesos and apply the exchange rate used on the date of Closing.  One trick to make it easy and to ensure your value is recorded correctly when you get your Trust is to have the Notary hand write the exchange rate and the date on the front page of your Trust document. Capital gains taxes paid in Mexico can be applied to your U.S. taxes.

***Information in this article provided by Snell Real Estate.

March 1-4  Amy & Vince’s Fred Duckett Challenge.  Benefits the Los Cabos Children’s Foundation.  Info in the US call 602-275-6305 or by e-mail: brendakuyper.lccf@gmail.com                                                                       Registration www.loscaboschildren.org

March 20-25  6th International Art & Culture La Paz Festival  For more information call o11-52-612-122-0000

March 23  Liga MAC’s 8th Annual Jazz Fest.  Gourmet buffet dinner, drinks and entertainment.  For more information contact jazzfest@ligamac.com

March 22-25  Baja Shakespeare’s 2012 production, Cindrealla at Rancho Buens Vista.  It’s not Shakespeare but it’s a “Bajafied” fairy tale filled with silly humor and music that’s guaranteed to delight.  Contact tyfield1@hotmail.com for information.

The following is information reported by the Gringo Gazette, the local paper in Cabo San Lucas.

New Mexican Government Office to Assist Foreigners

English speaking staff will assist you with government related matters

There is now a Mexican government office created to reach out to the foreigners who live in Cabo  full or part time. Alicia Cota is an ombudswoman for foreign residents, speaks excellent English and enjoys assisting foreign residents with government  red tape such as tax matters and permits. She can even help you fill out Spanish forms, telling you which department is in charge of what form.

Her office is inside City Hall, second door down on your right. You can call her at 146 7600 ext. 1009 or cell 624 117 8249. Office hours are currently 8-3 pm.

This is good news for locals.  If anyone has used this service we would love to have comments posted on this blog.

If you haven’t been on a Whale Watching tour in Baja California you are missing out on a special treat.  One of our favorite times in Cabo is whale season.  We start seeing these fabulous creatures in December and normally most are on their way back north my mid- March.  However, last year we enjoyed a special show of mother and baby whale from our patio across from the Pedregal Beach.

Whale watching tours are numerous in the Cabo area but tours in Guerrero Negro,  San Ignacio and Magdalena Bay are where you can get close and personal with these giants.  Guerrero Negro is the halfway point on the peninsula, San Ignacio is a bit further south and Mag Bay is about a 4 hour drive up the peninsula from Cabo.  I have been on tours in Guerreo Negro, Mag Bay and Cabo and each one was a unique experience.  Though we haven’t had a tour in San Ignacio it is one of my favorite stops along the Baja Peninsula.  The photos in this article are from our Guerrero Negro whale watching trip.

The Gringo Gazette, my favorite rag in Cabo, recently posted the following whale watching rules:
Whale watching is limited to authorized areas and strict speed restrictions are imposed as outlined by federal environment protection laws.  Boats must approach whales from behind diagonally and move parallel with the whales at a distance of at least 65 yards.  The maximum speed is 2 knots or two miles per hour, and must be slower than the slowest whale in the group.  A maximum of 4 boats may observe one individual or pod of whales, with motors in neutral if the whales are not moving and for a maximum of 30 minutes.  Other boats must wait at a distance of 265 yards.  A boat must wait with the motor in neutral if a whale approaches it and leave without rapid acceleration.  Boats should never interfere or cause harm in any way to the whales.  It is forbidden to fish, dive, swim, water sky/fly, use jet-skis, canoes, kayaks, inflatable, or submersible water toys,  ultra-lights and helicopters anywhere near these big mammals.  Fines of up to $100,000 USD ar possible, as well as losing the permit to work and the tour guide can be detained for up to 36 hours.

Whale watching is a must do when in the area and from December through March.  We have a number of Cabo Condos and Cabo Villa Rentals available for your stay.  Next time you plan a trip to Cabo let us help you not only with a fun whale watching adventure but with your Cabo accommodations as well.

Check our site at www.bajasurvacationrentals.com

If you have been on a whale watching tour in the Baja please share your comments.  If you want to share photos send them to me and I will add them to this blog!