I Love Mexican Vacations

South Padre Island is an ever-ready vacation destination that history has shown to be a true crowd pleaser. For a number of reasons, the foot of Texas is known for attracting spring breakers by the busload as well as families and couples all year long. No matter what your vacation goals are or what time of year you will be visiting, be sure that this hotspot will show you a good time.

If you’ve never been here before and don’t know quite what to expect, just imagine all the elements you would seek in a beachside getaway, add a healthy dose of relaxation, and you’ll start to get the picture. Find a spot of shade beneath your beach umbrella, crack open the book that’s been calling your name, gaze fondly at the cold drink in your hands, and find yourself idly wondering what the office is up to in your absence. Actually, scratch this last part. Don’t allow yourself to think about work; there are plenty of more important things to do.

It’s probably safe to say that you’re not accustomed to hearing the sound of the ocean on a daily basis, much less able to dip your toes in it, splash around with a boogie board, or rent a boat for a high-speed adventure. Wave running and parasailing are good ways to take the energy levels up a notch, and after that’s tired you out the beach bars with their sparkling array of tropical drinks will call for your attention. Nothing is better than the feeling of slight fatigue mixed with golden sunshine, so reward yourself for the hard work you’ve completed in the past few months (or years, or decades) and take a nap.

After waking refreshed and revived you’ll be ready for round two. Hit the tennis courts, the golf courses, or Laguna Madre Nature Trail. Outdoorsy types will love exploring the vibrant wildlife scene, and this excursion will certainly fill a few stress-free hours. Come nightfall, check out a different but equally colorful scene, the one on the waterfront. Even if it’s not spring break, live music, dancing, and socializing will certainly be available if you’re looking to add some pizzazz to your schedule.

If you’re the type who likes to stay active, start your day with a jog along the beach or a dip in the salty sea. The kids will surely want to soak in enough sandcastle building to last until the next beach vacation, and you can even sign up to receive lessons from an expert in this art. As you watch the kiddies absorb themselves in this creative endeavor (and hopefully join in the fun, too) you’ll start to see that this isn’t just a college student’s playground; it’s here for everyone to enjoy.

Map lovers may notice that Mexico isn’t too far away, and many tourists make crossing the border a fun day trip. Experience the atmosphere of another country as you shop for souvenirs or fill up on authentic and delicious food. This excursion should be pretty hassle free, so add it to your list of fun and exciting things to do while you’re in South Padre.

Food options range from Tex-Mex to southern comfort and of course, many restaurants are all about seafood. Ask the host to seat with a view of the ocean for a romantic touch, and finish the night by taking one of those clichéd walks on the beach if the mood to stare into your lover’s eyes must be satisfied. You’ve heard South Padre was a hit, but you probably didn’t know it would be so open to your personal wants and needs.

Speaking of fulfilling your desires, to top off this vacation be sure to settle into above-average accommodations. Hotels are fine and serve their purpose, but to feel truly pampered think about renting a vacation property. Condos, beach houses and spacious apartments are all up for grabs; all it takes is an online shopping trip to discover the lodging situation of your dreams.

Peruse the pictures, read the testimonials, and then check your calendar before settling on the place that will push this trip to the next level. As you bask in the sun on your private patio and soak in your Jacuzzi tub, you’ll definitely feel like a grown-up who has passed the days of partying all night and sleeping on a fold-out sofa. Your South Padre Island Vacation Rental waits for you, so don’t delay another minute.

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Mexico’s ranking among the world’s countries in international tourism arrivals increased from eight to seven last month according to World Tourism Organization figures, Tourism Secretary Rodolfo Elizondo recently announced. Approximately 21.9 million international guests arrived to Mexico in 2005.

Tourism providers are rushing to meet the increasing demand for service. For example, there are currently 23 new flights to Mexico from the United States, and Canadians can count on an additional three flights to Mexico.

“More and more leisure and business travelers are discovering the many benefits of a Mexican vacation. Our country not only offers visitors beautiful beaches, an almost endless array of cultural destinations and many exciting adventure tourism options, but Mexico does it all while providing tourists with great value and gracious service,” said Elizondo.

Sectur reports that Mexico’s tourism industry was responsible for generating 1.9 million direct jobs in 2005, up 3 percent over 2004 numbers. With the tourism sector so favorably impacting the country and its people, Mexico invests considerable time and effort in developing it.

The Mexican government has a comprehensive, long-term tourism plan in place to guide its efforts through 2025. The plan’s goal is to consistently increase both the number of international visitors and the amount of tourism revenue.

About the Mexico Tourism Board
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico’s tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico’s tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

FOR PRESS ONLY: For additional ideas, help with a story or general travel and tourism information about Mexico, please contact the MTB’s North American Press Room directly at 1-800-929-4555, by e-mail at northamericanpress@visitmexico.com, or visit our press Web site at www.visitmexicopress.com. To access an online warehouse of free, downloadable b-roll, visit www.thenewsmarket.com/visitmexicopress.

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If you’re worried about the financial challenges of the retirement years, you can either drastically cut down on your expenses or change your environment and live a better life for less. In Mexico’s Caribbean Costa Maya, two people can cover their basic necessities for around $800 a month which includes food, utilities, gasoline, and healthcare. Any additional money above and beyond that is yours to spend on dining out, site seeing, traveling, and enjoying life.

Things to do in the Costa Maya:
The Costa Maya is one of the richest places in the world in terms of natural beauty and outdoor activities. If you’re plan for retirement is to spend healthy time outdoors enjoying the sunshine and the natural wonders that the world has to offer, there are few more exquisite places than the Costa Maya.

Scuba divers, snorkelers, and fishermen from all around the globe travel to this area of Mexico for the unparallel experience. Retirement on your own piece of beachfront Costa Maya property means that you can snorkel as often as you please right from your own front yard. There are also Mayan ruin sites to visit, ceynotes to relax in, fishing tours to take part in, horses to ride along the beach front, and much more.

Where is the Costa Maya?:
The Costa Maya is located on the Yucatan Peninsula along the Caribbean Sea. If you’re imagining white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and tropical foliage, you’ve got the right image. The 57 mile stretch of coastal land lies just south of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, two somewhat recently established yet highly successful vacation and retirement resorts.

Costa Maya real estate prices:
Even with all of the benefits that this area of Mexico offers, Caribbean beachfront Costa Maya real estate lots are selling for as little as $50,000. Mexican banks don’t offer the same type of mortgage loan programs that are offered in the US, so you’ll need to buy property outright. But with the current cost of Costa Maya real estate ringing in at less than some automobiles, producing the property cost is a small hurdle for many retiring Americans who have had profited from the US housing boom.

Costa Maya real estate growth potential:
What’s even more enticing about Costa Maya real estate is its potential for growth. The Costa Maya is the current focus of a government initiated effort to spark growth and tourism in the area. This project focus is identical to the one that grew Cancun from a sleepy fishing village into a major tourist destination and retirement hotspot with 7 figure residential property values.

The future of the Costa Maya:
Unlike Cancun, plans for the development of Costa Maya real estate don’t include strips of night clubs and bars. Instead, the area is staged to become a destination for eco tourism, meaning that while property values will rise with growth, growth itself won’t mean pillars of concrete and masses of congestion.

So while your friends are cutting back, taking on part-time jobs, and shivering in the wintertime, you take a stance against the average life and enjoy a retirement that everyone dreams about in the Caribbean Costa Maya.

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You’ve seen pre-planned suburban communities-now imagine a pre-planned 57 mile long strip of Caribbean coastal paradise. Just as planned communities are built with the purpose of providing the ideal suburban living atmosphere, the Mexican government has plans for the Costa Maya to become the next great ecotourism spot in the Caribbean. Similar project in Cancun and Playa del Carmen have already proven wildly successful for both Mexican tourism and real estate investors. Already in the early stages of the game, the Costa Maya is showing all signs of the same level of success.

The reason that this picture perfect tropical paradise has remained untouched by human development for so long is that prior to the government renovation there were no area-wide resources such as electricity and sewage. Like other now popular places in Mexico, what was needed to spark growth was a government initiative to bring power, water, sewer, and telephones to the entire area. Banks in Mexico don’t provide generous, low interest loans for property as they do in the US, meaning that most of the population was unable to afford the land or develop on it. Today, the Costa Maya is the last 57 mile stretch of virgin Caribbean coastal property anywhere in the world.

For investors, the fact that this project is currently in its infancy means massive opportunity in terms of Mexico real estate investment. Plots of raw, Caribbean beachfront property that are today selling for around $60,000 are expected to reach the $1million dollar mark in 15-20 years. Like Cancun where property values rivaled that of the average American car just 30 years ago, the Costa Maya region needed only a kick start to begin its surge or growth.

It’s not common in real estate investment to come across so much undeveloped territory-especially untouched, coastal property on the romanticized Caribbean Sea. To put things into perspective, the Costa Maya has more miles of beachfront than Orange County in California and just 13 fewer miles of beachfront than Los Angeles County. Such types of real estate investment opportunities are no longer available on the densely populated coast of the United States. When it comes to Mexico real estate investment, the opportunity to own a residential beachfront lot in a developing area is, for now, still a real opportunity.

In just the past several years since the government put its revitalization project into action, the price of real estate in the Costa Maya has already doubled. Those keen on the trends of Mexico real estate investment got in early, but with so much raw and undeveloped land, there still remain pristine coastal lots up for grabs. High end resorts and businesses have already begun to crop up around Majahual, a once sleepy fishing village just north of Belize.

Additionally, cruise ships are porting in Majahual, the road running south from Cancun has been repaved and the local airport has been renovated. Now flights come in directly to Majahual from Cancun, meaning the once four hour drive south from Cancun is just a short plane ride. It’s not only Mexico real estate investment that is exploding here. Entrepreneurs that want to tap into this growing tourism hot spot can pick and choose a slice of the market right now in this early stage of development. A Mexico real estate investment in the Costa Maya means essentially following the investment strategy of the Mexican government and it’s proven success in building entire, thriving tourism centers from the ground-up.

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When vacationing in Cancun, you will probably want to spend the majority of your time strolling along the sparkling white sand or wading into the warm waters off the Caribbean coast. The beaches here are as breathtaking as any you will find in Mexico, so enjoying a few lazy afternoons soaking up some sun or swimming in the stunning blue water is a common and greatly relaxing way to spend your vacation. With the beauty of the open water around every corner, why not get the most out of your Cancun adventure by staying in an oceanfront vacation rental.

In the popular hotel zone on the northern side of Cancun, you can find numerous rental condos in some of the most luxurious buildings this area has to offer. Enjoy spectacular views of the Caribbean and the lagoon from your high-rise building without ever stepping foot outside. The floor to ceiling windows provide an amazing sight from almost every room in the house, allowing ample opportunity to truly take in the pristine and majestic nature of your surroundings. Sip your morning brew on the balcony and wake up to the sound of the waves rolling ashore while you forget all the stresses you have left behind in another world.

Choosing a luxury condo rental means more than unworldly views since you are also privy to the first-rate amenities that come with it. Take advantage of the exquisite extras, including plasma TVs and DVD players in every bedroom, a Jacuzzi on the balcony, and a full service kitchen where you whip up a quick snack before heading down to the water, and enjoy life in the lap of luxury. If swimming in the open water makes you a little uneasy, all you need to do is make your way down the elevator and you have access to a masterfully crafted pool that sits along the shores of the ocean.

When you stay on the water, the gorgeous beaches of Cancun are so close that you have absolutely no reason not to return home with a healthy glow. Throw down a towel and pull your favorite book out of your beach bag as the gentle strum of the water slowly calms any apprehension you may have brought with you. If you need a break from the sun, you can walk back to your conveniently located villa and enjoy a refreshing Corona or tall glass of water before heading back out for a swim. With these sparkling beaches constituting your back yard, you simply could not ask for anything more from your soothing and relaxing vacation.

While access to the sun and sand is the perfect way to entertain yourself during the day, there is no way you are going to sit inside your lodging at night when the lively nightlife awaits. With many of the waterfront condos and villas, you are not only within walking distance of Señor Frogs, Hard Rock Cafe, Carlos ‘n Charlie’s, and Rainforest Café, but also some of the best nightclubs, restaurants, and shopping centers that Cancun has to offer. Forget about riding the bus or driving in an unfamiliar city when everything you need to occupy your day from late afternoon to late night is just a short walk away.

Cancun vacation rentals make it easy to enjoy the enormous beauty this little city on the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula offers to its visitors. Whether you are looking for specific amenities such as wireless internet and a washer or dryer or you simply want a view that takes your breath away with every glance out the window, there is a condo or villa with everything you need to realize the vacation of your dreams. Begin your search for the perfect vacation rental today and experience a vacation that far exceeds any of your expectations.

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You will need a passport to fly as does everyone else.
You DO NOT need a visa in advance.
You will be given a FMT visa form on the plane and it will be stamped for the duration of your stay to a maximum of 180 days

If you go by land or sea you DO NOT need a passport yet .

If you just want to walk over for a few cervezas the only thing you have to worry about is getting back.
Dont lose you green card
The FMT form has both questions "Your country of residence"
"Your place of birth"

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I'm a seasoned independent traveller and I am interested in going to Mexico via Cancun. I would get a cheap charter flight from Europe - but then? I'm not interested in the typical holiday resorts. How difficult would it be to get away from the airport and travel around Mexico on my own on public transport? How much money would I need per day in Mexico? Is budget accomodation available or would I need to stay at camping sites? Are there camping sites in the area? Aybody done this before?
1) I don't speak Spanish, only German, English, Russian and Arabic. I pick up languages pretty easily though.

2) I cannot rent a car, bc I do not have a driver's license. (Never needed one.)

3) I've been to Israel, Turkey, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Italy, Jordan, Egypt … Always on my own, travelling the backroads, so I'm travel-savvy already. Mexico can't scare me. I only need to know about the availability of public transport and budget accomodation.
@rx77165 - have you been to the Middle East?

Not hard at all. I've done it. Speaking some Spanish helps, of course. The public transportation from the beach resorts to el centro (the real city) is very easy. If you live on the economy you can eat and travel cheaply but finding a place to stay that is safe and clean and cheap can be a challenge. There are camping sites near Cancun, but not at the beach or in the main city. They are out a bit. There are lots of eco-friendly places and smaller bed and breakfast type places scattered around too. I found the people exceptionally friendly and helpful and felt very comfortable there.

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Do I need to book one of their tours or can I go on my own?

We found the Vacation experts. We use them to do everything in Cozumel and Cancun. Rob and Al at
http://www.cancuncatamarans.com
http://www.hotel-mx.com
you can call them in Cancun at 1-888-862-3806 anytime, even if you only have a question they will help you.
Have a good time in Mexico.

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This summer (for me may1 through late aug) I want to go to a tropical resort in mexico. I have no money because I am a college student and I don't want a job because I am very focused on my studies.

How can I find a very cheap deal for airfare and lodging for two people in my desired location?

Get some one to support you….

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Oportunity in CANCUN, MEXICO

WE ARE SEEKING:

•PARTNER TO OPERATE A CHEESE, WINE, BISTRO
•Asking for 30,000 USD. FOR 40 % SHARE .
•Partner must have 20,000 USD for INITIAL OPERATION FUND.
•Opening in 2008.

RESTAURANT IS LOCATED ON AVE. BONAMAPAK across the street from PUERTO CANCUN MARINA AND GOLF , http://www.puertocancun.com . 17 high rise towers ( 2,3000 condo owners) http://www.bellavistatowers.com, http://www.isolacancun.com, http://www.cancuntowers.com and others are located across the street from our location.

Most upscale restaurants are relocating to Ave. Bonampak.

Are you located in the US or Mexico?

And if in the US, which state are you located
in?

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