For many years, the Riviera Maya was one of the best-kept secrets among Mexican adventurous travelers and curious foreign tourists. Nowadays Riviera Maya welcomes more than 16 million tourists each year from the USA, Canada, Europe, and Asia, some of them visiting for the first time ever while a few others, already decided to relocate to their favorite vacation destination to finally retire, relax and enjoy the results of a lifetime’s work.
Most ex-pats, retirees, digital nomads, and nomad students are attracted to places that make you feel at home away from home, and Yucatán Península seems to be at the top of the list of desirable places to retire and live when seeking options abroad.
The beauty of the white-sand beaches, the Mystic Mayan Ruins, Cenotes, and the picturesque beach towns come hand in hand with the laid-back Mexican Caribbean lifestyle, not only you’ll spend your days swimming in one of the biggest coral reefs in the world or living among the most unique wildlife, but you can also enjoy a new stress-free life, packed with cultural and social activities.
Here are 5 more reasons to start planning your retirement in the Mayan Riviera.
1: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
source: wikipedia.com
The Riviera Maya stretches along the eastern coast of the state of Quintana Roo, from Puerto Morelos, 36 km south of Cancun passing through Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, Xel-Há, Tulum, the Sian Káan Biosphere Reserve, all the way to Punta Allen.
The Yucatán Península offers a few international airports in important cities such as Mérida, Cancun, Chetumal, and Cozumel Island. Flight ticket prices may vary according to the season of the year, the country you come from, and if it’s either a direct or connecting flight. Among the year-round flight options and airlines, you and your budget will surely find the best time to fly back and forth in case you have any pending issues and even ask your family and friends to come over and visit you for a while, or who knows, they might even join you in the future.
Nowadays it’s easier to get to every popular destination on the Riviera Maya, whether you are heading to the main beach cities like Playa del Carmen and Tulum or smaller beach towns like Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras, or Akumal, the ADO public buses, private shuttles, or taxi services are available in all airports and you can book online ahead of time.
2. REAL STATE PARADISE
Expats and retirees have endless opportunities to settle down anywhere and enjoy every aspect of the Mexican Caribbean lifestyle, though it might not be the most affordable place to call home due to the extensive tourism development, still, Riviera Maya offers a reasonable cost of living, where you can definitely live well on much less than what you are used to. The price of living here will come down to your budget and lifestyle preferences, renting or buying property nearby an area attractive to tourists may be expensive, but there are neighborhoods fit for every budget, and you can look for more affordable 1-3 rooms condos and houses, mostly equipped with the necessary amenities, in the urban parts of the cities, or the suburbs that surround them.
To find a property for lease or purchase, I highly recommended contacting a reliable real estate adviser that speaks the same language as you do, so you don’t get caught up in a scam by people taking your money or not having a legitimate process.
After getting to know tons of Mexican citizens from every corner of the country and their different cultures, plus the thriving ex-pat community rising throughout the Riviera, it will definitely make you want to stay for more extended periods of time. You can stay in Mexico on a visitor’s permit for about 180 days per entry, but if you plan to stay in Mexico for more than 6 months to a year, it’s a good idea to apply for a residency visa. To apply for a temporary resident visa, and more detailed information you’ll need to go to the Mexican consulate in your country, fill out an application, and wait for further instructions.
source: playadelcarmen.com
3. THE BEST WEATHER YEAR-ROUND
Perhaps you are exhausted from shoveling snow away from your driveway or annoyed from getting the flu every time the temperature goes down, if you agreed to both, then, the Rivera Maya hot, sunny days and balmy nights are going to be perfect for you.
Warm and slightly chill winters are perfect for spending your holidays at the beach. Spring Break is usually hot and sunny with light showers by the end of May. Summers bring rain and whale sharks! Besides, it’s a budget-friendly season. Pumpkin spice season begins with clear blue skies and less-humid and slightly warm nights, perfect for wearing a light sweater and celebrating the Day of the Death by Building Your First Day of the Death Ofrenda.
In addition to always having a perfect day, warmth and sunlight can actually offer real benefits to your body, like improved heart and lung health, and enhanced mental performance, however, if you have any special medical condition that requires regular visits to the doctor, or any other medical services or procedures, you must know that the healthcare system provides similar technology found in hospitals abroad with recognized specialists easily available. Expect to pay less for appointments and certain medications.
source: barcelo.com
4. MEXICAN FOOD FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY
In Riviera Maya is possible to avoid paying an unwanted visit to the doctor, by trying to keep a healthy and balanced diet without messing too much with your budget but you might need some local advice on Where To Go Grocery Shopping in your neighborhood. Shopping for local fruits, vegetables, chiles, and spices sometimes is better at local markets, while bigger supermarkets located nearby tourist areas, usually offer all the other food and home basics from familiar brands you get back at home along with more Mexican ones.
However, if eating everywhere in town is your thing, the national and international influence that characterizes Riviera Maya offers a W I D E variety of flavors and traditions at exclusive restaurants, family-owned Mexican food restaurants, a thriving vegan and vegetarian community, and folkloric street food stalls. Don’t get surprised if, for one of the best dinners of your life, you pay about $25 USD and still be able to add a nice tip (propina) for your server.
Allow the Eating With Carmen Food Tour Guides to take you on an Authentic Mexican Food Experience while discovering the local secrets of the most popular cities in Riviera Maya.
Eating With Carmen TIP: Book a Food Tour on the first days of your arrival, exploring the city with the help of an expert might save you some struggle.
source: eatingwithcarmen.com
5. THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO DO!
Once you have settled down, you’ll have plenty of time to fully enjoy all the daylight and nightlife activities the Rivera Mayas offers.
Walk around any Riviera Maya town or city and appreciate the colorful streets decorated with urban street art representing different aspects of the Mayan Culture, the beauty of the jungle, and its wildlife.
Enjoy a delicious cup of Mexican coffee at your new favorite local cafeteria, or replace it for an ice-cold beer or a fancy refreshing cocktail at any of the beach clubs and bars where you can mingle with locals, ex-pats, and retirees, that just like you, are whiling to participate in other social activities, such as beach cleaning, teaching English in small and needed communities while improving their Spanish, taking salsa dance lessons, practicing yoga, helping at local animal shelters, and many more.
Fully immerse in the Rivera Maya lifestyle by learning a little bit more about the Mexican culture through traditional gastronomy by testing as many Antojitos as you can in the nearby cities and towns. Become a certified diver and discover the secrets of the underwater Mayan caverns, and just enjoy a new chapter of your life, without having the rush of going back home.
Riviera Maya locals will be happy to see you, WELCOME HOME!
source: alohapaddleclub.com
-Abbey, Your soon-to-be neighbor!
