Cancun
Quintana Roo Public Notaries-cancun real
estate
Should you
decide to own property in you own name, a
deed called an escritura,
must be prepared by a Mexican notary
public.
There are big difference between the United States notary public and
Mexican notary
public. In Mexico, the notary public (notario
público) are
lawyers publicly appointed by the State Governor who specialize in
Contract Law. Every
legal document, such as deeds, wills, powers of attorney, constitution
of corporations,
establishment of trusts and other legal transactions must be made
before a notary public
in order to be valid. If the document is not notarized by a Mexican
notary public it is
not legal! Whereas in the United States the public
notary can act only as a
witness to your signature on a document. You can use
publically notarized documents
(for Powers of Attorneys) signed in the United States but for validity
in Mexico you also
need an Notarial Apostile from the State's Attorney's office.
When buying real estate and you reach an agreement, go to the notary
public first. The
buyer chooses the notary public. For real estate transactions
you do not need an
attorney. The notary public is completely capable and legally
authorized to carry out
the transaction.
In many cases an attorney will delay the transaction, charge you
unnecessary high fees,
and have absolutely no bearing on the situation, as it is not of his
competence. Before
giving any type of down payment or committing yourself to a deal, take
a copy of the
actual escritura (which should be given to you by
the seller with no argument if
everything is in order) to the notary public to check the deed's
validity.
If buying property from a developer, have the notary public check to
see that he has his
permits for the development and for construction. A beautifully
engraved certificate or
formal letter promising a deed at some future time is not a deed, but
merely a sales
contract.
Have the notary public determine that the land is not ejido
land
(communal agricultural land). The right to use this type of land can be
purchased, but
always a risky deal, as it is not your property, you are only allowed to
use
it.
Insist on making all real estate transfer agreements before a notary
public. Do not be
pressured by someone who says that you need to put money down right
away.
The notary public will need from both parties to the transaction: proof
of full names,
marriage certificates, proof of dates and place of birth, official
identification with a
photograph, such as passport or driver's license, and your visa to
prove that you are in
Mexico legally.
The notary public will need from the seller: 1. his deed; 2. Up-to-date
tax receipts,
water bills, subdivision (fraccionamiento)
fees, and any other
public utilities bill, paid up to the date of sale. The notary public
will determine
capital gains taxes through an official appraisal (Avaluo).
The capital gains tax, if any, is paid by the seller. However, through
mutual agreement,
it may be paid by the buyer. Make sure you know how much this will
be--the notary will
inform you of the cost before the transaction, almost to the cent. Cash
or money changes
hands the minute the seller signs over the deed, usually in the notary
public's office.
The buyer ordinarily pays notary fees incurred, which also must be paid
when the title is
signed over.
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Quintana
Roo Notary Directory
Lic. Nancy Peggy Magaña
Tintoré
-TITULAR- www.notaria25cancun.com
notaria 25 -visit their website
-english spoken
Calle Tejon No. 10
L43 Mz. 4 Ret.1 Sm. 20
011-52-998-8920535
- 8920537 fax 8846264
Angel Enrique Aguilar Nuñez
Titular
Notaria # 17
Ignacio Zaragoza No. 205 Entre Heroes Y
Juarez Centro C.P. 77000
Chetumal, Quintana Roo
Fax: 983-2-15-92
Teléfono: 983-2-15-92, 8-20-12,
Bello Melchor Rodriguez Carrillo
Titular
Notaria # 4
Calle 11 Sur No.885 Entre 40 Y 45 Av.Sur
Col. Adolfo Lopez Mateos C.P. 76640
Cozumel, Quintana Roo
Fax: 987-2-07-54
Teléfono: 987-2-07-54, 2-04-32,
Benjamin Salvador De La Peña Mora
Titular
Notaria # 20
Granada No. 30
Super Manzana 2 "A" C.P. 75000
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Fax: Los Dos Telefono
Teléfono: 98-84-94-40, 84-28-94,
Carlos Humberto Pereira Vazquez
Suplente
Notaria # 7
Av. Ing. Garcia De La Torre Lote 48 P.B.
Manzana 8, Supermanzana 2 "A" C.P. 77500
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Fax: 98-84-99-98
Teléfono: 98-84-98-22, 84-53-61,
Celia Perez Gordillo
Titular
Notaria # 18
Av. Coba No. 121
Super Manzana 30 Manzana 7 C.P. 77500
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Fax:
Teléfono: 98-84-16-96, ,
Felipe Amaro Santana
Titular
Notaria # 19
Banampak No. 101
Super Manzana 3 C.P. 77500
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Fax: 98-84-18-59
Teléfono: 98-84-18-59, ,
Francisco Edmundo Lechon Rosas
Titular
Notaria # 10
Calle Rosas No. 22 Manzana 24
Supermanzana 22 Centro C.P. 77500
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Fax: 98-84-85-46
Teléfono: 98-84-65-98, 84-65-94, 84-85-46
Francisco Xavier Lopez Mena
Titular
Notaria # 7
Av. Nader No. 28 S.M. 2
Apartado Postal No. 1928 Centro C.P. 77500
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Fax: 98-84-33-62
Teléfono: 98-84-15-57, 84-12-38, 84-16-00
Gilberto Gonzalez Anguiano
Titular
Notaria # 14
Alcatraces No. 45
Supermanza 22 C.P. 77500
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Fax: 98-84-74-77
Teléfono: 98-84-76-72, 84-47-13,
Jorge Alberto Rodriguez Carrillo
Titular
Notaria # 6
Av. Nader No. 8 S.M. 2
Centro C.P. 77500
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Fax: 98-84-79-66
Teléfono: 98-84-22-82, 84-97-93, 84-36-96
Jorge Enrique Perez Salazar
Titular
Notaria # 11
Avenida Palenque No. 119
Supermanzana 30 C.P. 77500
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Fax: 98-84-09-45
Teléfono: 98-87-30-97, ,
Jose Edwin Villanueva Marrufo
Titular
Notaria # 15
Quinta Av. Norte No. 298
Centro C.P. 77600
Cozumel, Quintana Roo
Fax: 987-2-40-33
Teléfono: 987-2-19-17, ,
Josefina Castro Rios
Titular
Notaria # 2
Av. Nader Nº 26, Lote 30
Super Manzana 2 A C.P. 77500
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Fax: 98-84-12-93
Teléfono: 98-84-12-93, 84-14-36, 84-36-14
Juan Ignacio Hernandez Ornelas
Titular
Notaria # 16
Av. Alvaro Obregon No. 232-1
Centro C.P. 77000
Chetumal, Quintana Roo
Fax: 983-2-28-71
Teléfono: 983-2-49-08, ,
Luis Miguel Camara Patron
Titular
Notaria # 30
Sierra No. 13
Centro C.P. 77500
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Fax: Todos los teléfono.
Teléfono: 98-84-25-90, 84-52-33, 84-52-66
Manuel Irvin Garcia Valdez
Titular
Notaria # 9
Av. 20 Norte Con Av. Juarez No. 1
Centro C.P. 77600
Cozumel, Quintana Roo
Fax: 987-2-26-94
Teléfono: 987-2-12-97, 2-14-60,
Marco Antonio Sanchez Vales
Titular
Notaria # 3
Av. Nader No. 148 Edificio Barcelona
Super Manzana 3 C.P. 77500
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Fax: 98-84-43-70
Teléfono: 98-84-82-86, 84-82-96, 84-81-85
Miguel Angel Ortiz Cardin
Titular
Notaria # 21
30 Av. Norte No. 179, Bajos Esq. Calle 8
Municipio De Solidaridad C.P. 77710
Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo
Fax: 987-3-03-93
Teléfono: 987-3-03-93, ,
Miguel De Jesus Peyrefitte Cupido
Titular
Notaria # 14
Calle Alcatraces No. 45 Manzana 13
Super Manzana 22 C.P. 77500
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Fax: 98-84-76-72
Teléfono: 98-84-74-77, 84-76-72,
Oton Norberto Garcia Santes
Titular
Notaria # 12
Av. Nader No.4 Despacho A-12 Y 13
Super Manzana 5 C.P. 77500
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Fax: Todas Las Lineas
Teléfono: 98-84-29-97, 84-84-78, 87-48-75
Victor Manuel Santin Coral
Titular
Notaria # 24
30 Av. Por 3 Sur No. 141
Centro C.P. 77710
Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo
Fax: 987-3-02-55
Teléfono: 987-3-02-55, ,
Yolanda Solis Olveres
Titular
Notaria # 22
Nicolas Bravo Esq. Guerrero
Centro C.P. 77400
Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo
Fax: 987-7-06-12
Teléfono: 987-7-06-12, ,
cancun real estate for sale -cancun properties
for sale
Legal Steps
To Purchase Real Estate In Mexico:
1. Offer and acceptance and/or promissory agreement
In accordance with Mexican Law, a letter of intent fulfills the
requirements for it to be considered to be a valid contract, with the
condition that there has been mutual consent on the part of both the
seller to transfer a specific property and the buyer to acquire it.
2. Title Search and Conditions of the Property
This will ensure that none of the information of the Public Registry of
Property and Commerce regarding the property is overlooked.
3. Requirements for closing and formal execution of a standard real
estate Transaction in Mexico:
* Certificate of No-Encumbrances: This
certificate will enable the Notary to assess that the property does not
have any lien or encumbrance, or any claim pending over it, and thus
can be transferred with a clean title. It is obtained directly at the
Offices of the Public Registry of Property and Commerce and basically
it must contain at least the following information: I) the number of
years of documented history made on the property; II) the surface area
of the property in accordance with the records; III) the metes and
bounds of the property; IV) the name of the owner; V)classification of
the property (urban or rural); VI) a legal description of the property
(such as if it is owned in a trust or by several owners); VII) the name
and signature of the registar and VIII) the official seal of the Public
Registry of Property and Commerce.
* Certificate of No-Tax Liability: This
certificate will enable the Notary Public to assess that the property
tax has been paid prior to the transfer of the property.
* Property Appraisal and Site Survey: In
accordance with the Real Estate Law ("Ley de Catastro"), it is
mandatory to carry out a site survey on the property and do an official
appraisal. The appraisal must be done estimating the commercial value
of the property, considering its surroundings, a market survey and
zoning regulations.
4. Notary Public and Public Registry of Property and Commerce
The function of the Notary Public is to act as an extension of a Judge
or the Government. His duty is to ensure that a real estate transaction
is formally executed in compliance with all legal requirements. Upon
the execution of the transaction, the deed of title must be recorded at
the Public Registry of Property and Commerce of the domicile in which
the real estate, subject matter of the transaction, is located.
A Mexican "notario" is an attorney who, after passing rigorous
examinations, is commissioned by the government as a public notary. A
notario holds high office for life, unless he or she is removed for
cause. The notario fulfills a public function delegated by the
government. Although licensed as an attorney, the notario is not in a
position to provide either of the parties with legal advice. The
notario's responsibilities include collecting and reviewing the sales
contract, property tax and water payment receipts; ordering a bank
appraisal: freezing the property's file at the local public registry
(no documents may be recorded in a property's file during three
consecutive thirty-day periods); reviewing the property's file to
verify the legal ownership and search for liens, encumbrances or
anything that could affect the title (as the majority of public
registries are not automated, this procedure can take from 60 to 90
days); requesting the public registry to issue a "Certificado de
Libertad de Gravamenes" (Certificate of Freedom from Liens and
Encumbrances); and performing the closing at this office where the
notario handles the transfer of the deed, tax withholding on the
underlying real estate transaction, and the recording of the documents
at the public registry.
The Most Common Choices For Purchasing Real Estate In Mexico:
1. General Purchase Sale Agreement
A purchase sale agreement occurs when one of the contracting parties
obligates itself to transfer the ownership of property and the other
agrees to pay a certain price in consideration of the property rights.
The contract is perfected and binding between the parties as soon as
the property and its price are agreed upon, even when the property has
not yet materially been delivered and the price paid. All such
contracts must meet specific requirements in accordance with Mexican
law in order to exist and be valid.
There are two types of elements to the contract:
A. Essential Elements: The essential elements of any purchase sale
agreement: consent which is granted by the seller's agreement to
transfer the real estate to the buyer, and in turn, the buyer's consent
to pay a certain price; and object which is the purpose of the title
transfer of the real estate on the one hand, and the payment of a
certain price as consideration of the transfer.
B. Validity Elements: The validity elements are: legal capacity that
refers to the legal rights of the parties to enter into the contract;
and legal form, which are the formalities with which a transfer
complies in order to be perfected. For example, real estate
transactions must be in writing, and in order for such to be binding
before third parties, they must be recorded at the Public Registry of
Property and Commerce. Basically, the fundamental obligations of the
seller in a purchase sale agreement, are: a) to deliver the property
being sold to the buyer; b) to guarantee the quality of the property;
and c) to guarantee the title (with cure in case of eviction).
On the other hand, the buyer's principal obligation is to comply with
the payment of the price in the terms place, and form agreed in the
agreement.
2. Installment Sales Agreements withholding transfer of title:
In this kind of agreement, the seller reserves title of the property
until full payment of the sale price is made, but the buyer may use and
enjoy the real estate until full payment is made. Usually, this kind of
agreement includes installment payments. There are some advantages in
using this kind of agreement: First, the agreement can be recorded at
the Public Registry of Property and Commerce as being enforceable and
binding before third parties. Second, the seller is not able to sell
the property while the purchaser is in compliance with the sales
agreement, usually meaning that he is current in his payment
obligations to the seller. Finally, the obligations of the parties are
subject to what in Mexican Law is commonly known as "Condicion
Suspensiva" (suspensive condition), which conditions the agreement to
full payment of the price to the seller.
3. Irrevocable Real Estate Trust Agreement:
This is better known as a "fideicomiso" and is the most common
instrument for the acquisition of real estate property within the
restricted zone, usually for residential purposes. The seller,
"trustor", will transfer property to a Mexican bank institution, the
"trustee", by means of an irrevocable trust agreement. The trustee will
hold the property on behalf of a designated beneficiary (usually the
buyer). The bank is obligated to administer the real estate only for
the benefit of the beneficiary, who holds the right of use and
enjoyment of the real estate, as an owner. The bank holds title to the
property but the beneficiary is entitled to use it and even sell the
property held in trust to any eligible buyer, providing that he
instructs the bank to do so.
Bank Trust Information
The "fideicomiso" is set up through a Mexican bank for a period of up
to 50 years and can be renewed for 50 years. To acquire the land the
purchaser must obtain a permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The buyer can lease, sell or transfer the property to another family
member, and if he dies, his property can be passed to an heir. At the
end of the 100 years the property can be sold.
In the trust there are three elements: The trust Settlor
(Fideicomitente) which may be a physical or legal Mexican person, who
is the owner of the property which is to be placed in trust; the
Trustee (Fiduciario) which, by law may be only a credit institution and
which holds the raw real estate; and the Beneficiaries
(Fideicomisarios) the legal or physical foreign persons who are the
beneficiaries of the trust who obtain the use and benefit of the
property.
The bank (known as the trustee) holds the trust deed (known as the
escritura) for the person or persons purchasing the property (known as
the beneficiaries). This property is not part of the bank's assets and
cannot be subject to any lien or attachment for any bank obligations.
The beneficiary has all ownership rights to the property and may sell,
lease, mortgage or pass on to their heirs as desired under law. A bank
trust is not a lease.
The Mexican government established the trust agreement as a way of
protecting foreigners interested in owning property in Mexico. The
reasoning was that by making ownership pass through the trust process,
there would be an automatic review of the transaction to ensure it was
legal and unencumbered. The bank is required to check ownership,
insurance and indebtedness of the property, providing further
protection to the foreign owner.
Trusts are renewable at any time by filling out a simple application
with the bank. It was never the intent that these properties pass back
to the government at the end of the trust period. This is a common
misconception and fear of most buyers. It may help in understanding the
Bank Trust to compare it with the Deed of Trust, a type of financing
instrument used in the U.S. People who buy homes, paying the full
amount upfront, receive their titles right away. However, this rarely
happens. Under a deed of trust the buyer of a house has only "equitable
title," or an equity interest, with the right to use but only a
restricted right to sell, until the loan is paid off, after which the
owner receives the actual fee simple title. Until then it is held by a
trustee, usually a bank or title company. In Mexico the Bank Trust is
also held by a trustee, but the buyer never receives the actual title.
Realistically many homeowners in the U.S. never receive title to their
properties either, because they sell or refinance their homes before
the 30-year term of their loan is complete.
Taxes
Property taxes are very low in Mexico as a whole. The property tax,
known as a predial is .1% of the assessed value. Taxes are paid
annually, with the assessed value determined at the time of sale. If
you purchase a property with an assessed value of $100,000US dollars
your annual tax rate would be $100.00US dollars. The reason taxes are
so low is due to the fact that they have never been a source of revenue
for the Mexican government
Real Estate Acquisition Tax (transfer tax): Individuals or companies
purchasing real estate, consisting of land, or land and its
improvements in Mexico, are subject to the payment of a real estate
acquisition tax calculated at the rate of 2% of the value of the
property (the rate may vary from state to state from 2% to 3.3%). All
purchasers of real property must pay this tax whether the acquisition
is carried out through a purchase and sale agreement, donation, trust,
assignment, mergers of companies, split-off, or payment in kind.
Mexican real estate is subject to a 20% capital gains tax on the gross
proceeds from the sales without any deduction. There is another option,
net basis taxation up to 35% (depends on the state and the
interpretation of the notary). Under this tax plan, gain is calculated
by deducting from the gross proceeds (1) the original cost of
acquisition, (2) the cost of improvements, (3) notarial expenses and
other costs of sale, including appraisal costs, and (4) commissions.
The original cost is separated between land cost and cost of buildings,
with at least 20% allocated to land. The cost of buildings and any
other improvements is then decreased at 3% per year between the date of
acquisition and date of sale, but the cost is not decreased below 20%
of the original amount. The cost of the land is increased based on
changes in the National Consumer Price Index.
Formula for capital gains tax: AV2(appraised value 2) -AV1(appraised
value 1) ?Improvements - Cost of the Sale=Taxable Amount x 35%=Tax Due
Your FM2 or FM3 can help you to avoid capital gains taxes when selling
your property. If someone proves they were living on their property for
two years in Mexico, they can avoid paying any type of capital gains.
Individuals in the restricted zone, who are residents of Mexico (have
an FM3), and who rent their rights in trust property (fideicomisos)
must make provisional payments on their Impuesto Sobre la Renta (Tax on
Rents) for income generated from cash deposits, credits, exchanges
coming from rents or sub-rentals. The calculation will be based on one
of two methods; one option is to pay 1% (on average, based on state) of
the gross amount received during a three-month period, or you can opt
to pay around 35% (on average, based on state) of your net profit.
In order for any authorized expense to be deductible, the taxpayer must
obtain an official invoice, which is known as a FACTURA. This receipt
must be printed on the press of a government-authorized printer and
will contain the RFC number (taxpayer ID number) of the individual or
company issuing the receipt.
Authorized items for deductions are the following:
1. Property taxes, as well as any contributions or local taxes for
improvements, planning or public works expenditures.
2. Maintenance costs that are not related to improvements or additions;
water payment when not paid by the tenant who occupies the property
3. Interest paid for loans obtained for the purchase, construction, or
improvements of the property
4. Employees directly employed at the rental property. Salaries,
commissions and /or fees are deductible, as well as taxes and benefits
paid on those salaries.
5. Insurance premiums on the properties
6. Investment in construction, including additions and improvements
(these expenses are amortized at the rate of 5% per year for
construction and 10% for installation expenses or improvements.
Mexican residents must file a declaration with authorities by the 17th
of each month. An annual declaration is due no later than April 1st the
following year and the difference between provisional payments made and
total tax due, based upon global Mexican income, is due with the annual
return.
Mexico has signed a number of treaties to avoid double taxation with
other countries and their benefit can be applicable depending on the
type of transaction. Taxes that are paid on Mexican income are
generally deductions on U.S. and Canadian income. It is wise, however,
for the foreign taxpayer to check with his or her personal accountant
to determine how to declare these foreign tax payments.
Contract Legalities
A legal real estate contract has 5 necessary parts:
1. Competent parties- This is usually defined as "being of legal age
and sound mind." In Mexico another factor comes into play--language. A
person who doesn't understand Spanish, the legal language of the
country, no matter how mature or intelligent, is not competent in any
practical sense. Therefore, the contract must be translated into
English.
2. Lawful Objective- This means that contracts can be voided if it is
discovered that the intent has been to set up a drug business, a house
of prostitution, or some other illegal operation. If one doesn't own a
property, it can't be lawful to try to sell it.
3. Offer and Acceptance- This means that a contract must be signed by
both parties. It must also have a date when it takes effect and must
specify the place where it is signed.
4. Legal Description- Legal descriptions can take several different
forms--metes and bounds, lot and block, government survey--but the key
is that the property must be readily identifiable.
5. Consideration- Consideration accompanies a contract as an evidence
of good faith. It usually means money, although it can take the form of
a promissory note, another piece of property, an item of value like a
car or boat, or even such an intangible as "love and affection."
Title Insurance
Purchasers of Mexican real property can now receive Owner's Policies of
Title Insurance that can be issued on both sides of the border from
various companies to both U.S. and Mexican buyers. Most title insurance
policies today are U.S. contracts of indemnity guaranteeing ownership
rights as vested in a fideicomiso (bank trust) for residential property
acquired by foreign buyers in the prohibited zone, or for properties
held in a Mexican corporation for non-residential purposes (i.e.
industrial and commercial). Mexico is not unlike the U.S. in that there
is a definitive legal framework for ownership of land by foreigners
known as the New Foreign Investment Law (Dec. 28, 1993) and as mandated
under Article 27 of the Mexican Constitution. In addition, there is
formality and compliance in the development of real property.
Regulatory statutes and procedures are mandated on a state-by-state
basis and require a series of official approvals, permits, and
authorizations, coupled with public disclosure and written notification
by the governing public agency.
American title Insurance is available for Mexican real estate whether
acquired directly or through a trust. The cost of the insurance depends
on whether the property you are purchasing is covered by a master title
commitment. The best way to protect yourself is to get title insurance.
Most Mexican companies don't sell it, but Houston based Stewart title
Guaranty, Lawyer's Title, and Fidelity National Financial does. The
insurance runs about $4 to $7 for every $1,000 of property value,
versus $3 to $4 in most of the U.S. In addition to title insurance,
property insurance is also available in Mexico and the rates are
relatively low. we recommend 1st American Title Insurance
About Cancun, Playa del Carmen and the Mexico state of Quintana Roo
General Info
Location: Eastern Mexico, Yucatan Peninsula Borders: Caribbean Sea and
the states of Yucatan, Campeche and
the country of Belize to the south.
Important cities/sites within the state: Bacalar, Cancun, Chetumal
(capital), islands of Cozumel and Isla Mujeres,
Playa del Carmen, XCaret, Xel-Ha, Sian Kaan Reserve and the
archaeological zone of Tulum
Major airport(s): Cancun International Airport (CUN), Chetumal
International Airport (CTM), Cozumel Airport (CZM), Isla Mujeres
Airport (ISJ)
Population: 880,000
Size: 15,136 square miles
Time Zone: Central Standard Time
Climate: Tropical Wet/Dry
Playa del Carmen
Playa, as it is called, is the most happening place on the coast --
lots of beach (especially when the wind and currents are flowing in the
right direction), hotels for every budget, a good choice of
restaurants, and an active nightlife, most of which is on or around
Avenida 5, Playa's very popular promenade. In the last few years the
town has grown quickly, and local residents and the tourism board are
working hard to keep it from becoming a smaller version of
Cancún. They are encouraging builders to use the same kind
of tropical, slightly quirky architectural style that the town has
become known for.
Cancún Is the reason most people travel to Mexico and offers
an unrivaled combination of high-quality accommodations, dreamy
beaches, easy air access, and a wide diversity of shopping, dining,
nightlife, and nearby activities -- most of them exceptional values.
There is also the lure of ancient cultures evident in all directions
and a number of ecologically oriented theme parks. You will run out of
vacation days before you run out of things to do in
Cancún. Snorkeling, jet-skiing, jungle tours, and visits to
ancient Maya ruins and modern ecological theme parks are among the most
popular diversions. There are a dozen malls with brand-name and
duty-free shops (with European goods at prices better than in the
U.S.), and more than 350 restaurants and nightclubs. The 24,000-plus
hotel rooms in the area offer something for every taste and every
budget.
Tulum
The town of Tulum (near the ruins of the same name) has a hotel
district of about 30 palapa hotels, which stretch down the coast of the
Punta Allen peninsula. A few years ago it was mainly a destination for
backpacker types, but with some of the most beautiful beaches on this
coast and many improvements in hotel amenities, it now attracts people
with bigger budgets. Construction is booming, both in the town and
along the coast. Here you can
enjoy the beach in relative solitude and quiet (unless your hotel is
busy building additional rooms). The flip side of this is that Tulum
doesn't have the variety of restaurants that Playa and
Cancún do.
Quintana Roo
Is located on the Yucatan Peninsula, bordered by the Bay of Chetumal
and Rio Hondo to the south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It is
the youngest state in the country, as well as the farthest east,
meaning it is the first state to see the sunrise everyday. It is also
one of the only states featuring magnificent underground rivers with
limestone sinkholes, perfect for diving.
Puerto Morelos
This town 30 minutes south of Cancún remains a sleepy little
village affectionately known by the locals as "Muerto Morelos." It has
a few small hotels and rental houses, and in the vicinity are a few
secluded spa resorts. The coast is sandy and well protected by an
offshore reef, which means good snorkeling and diving nearby, but the
lack of surf means lots of seagrass and shallow water. If you're
looking for good swimming, you should head
farther down the coast. If you're looking for a quiet seaside retreat,
this might work for you.
Akumal
The community at Akumal and Half Moon Bay is relatively old for this
shore, which means that it's already built up and doesn't have the
boomtown feel of Playa and Tulum. Akumal has a strong ecological
orientation. The locals are a mix of Americans and Mexicans, who enjoy
the unhurried lifestyle of the tropics, making this a good place to
relax and work on your hammock technique. There are a few hotels; most
of the lodging is rental houses.
Consequently, the town is a favorite with families who enjoy the
calmness of the place and can save money by buying groceries and
cooking for themselves.
Costa Maya
South of Tulum lies the large Sian Ka'an Biosphere Preserve and, beyond
that, what is known as the Costa Maya, a term that designates the rest
of the coast all the way down to Belize. This coast does not have
beaches as good as those of the Riviera Maya. Most of the coast is
along the Majahual Peninsula, which is very attractive for scuba divers
and fly fishermen. Farther south is Lake Bacalar, a large, clear
freshwater lake fed by cenotes (wells or sinkholes). Inland from here
are the many fascinating ruins of the Río Bec area
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Information
about Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a city on the coast of the Caribbean Sea in the
north east of the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, located at
20.62° North, 87.07° West. The city is the seat of the
Solidaridad municipality. In 2003 the city had a population of about
50,000 people, though it is rapidly growing in population.
Tourism
to Playa del Carmen began with the passenger ferry service to Cozumel,
an island across the Cozumel Channel and world-famous scuba diving
destination. While passing through, many people realized that it was a
nice place to relax away from the crowds of Cancún but with
the same quality beaches and turquoise waters. While not as incredible
as Cozumel, Playa del Carmen's coast offers some good scuba diving
opportunities, as well as cenote diving for the more adventurous.
Today
Playa del Carmen, or just 'Playa' as it is colloquially referred to, is
the center of the Riviera Maya concept, which covers from
Cancún to Tulum and the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve. All
tourist activity in Playa del Carmen centres on the Quinta Avenida, or
Fifth Avenue, is a pedestrian walkway located just one block inland
from the beach, and lined with boutique hotels, shops, bars and
restaurants.
Playa
Del Carmen wants to retain its small fishing village and artist colony
charm, without becoming as large or tourist-dependent as
Cancún. To this end, the city passed an ordinance by which
all buildings, no matter what, have a limit of three stories, though a
few four story buildings were built before the ordinance.
There
is a significant European influence in Playa, especially Italian. It is
not ununsual to find that the proprietors of a particular hotel,
restaurant, or bar are expatriates from Italy, Argentina, the US,
Canada, France, Spain, or one of the many other country of origins
represented among Playa del Carmen's residents. |
