2012 Travellers’ Choice® awards

TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website, today reveals Hacienda Alemana was chosen as a winner in the Top B&Bs and Inns in Mexico by TripAdvisor in its 2012 Travellers’ Choice® awards.

Now in its tenth year, the annual TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards honour the world’s best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best – real travellers. Unlike any other hotel honours, TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travellers around the world.

“With the help of millions of travellers around the globe, TripAdvisor is thrilled to recognise the world’s most outstanding hotels for the tenth year of the Travellers’ Choice Awards,” said Christine Petersen, president, TripAdvisor for Business. “From the best bargain hotels to best luxury hotels, remarkable service, value and quality are the hallmarks of our Travellers’ Choice winners.”

As TripAdvisor has continued its growth globally, featuring sites in 30 countries and in 21 languages, the Travellers’ Choice Hotels awards now highlight a broader range of spectacular properties across the globe.

• See the reviews on Hacienda Alemana Hotel in TripAdvisor
• See the complete 2012 Travellers’ Choice list

The U.S. State Department has updated and expanded its travel warning for Mexico, providing a more detailed, state-by-state security assessment and noting any restrictions on U.S. government workers traveling within the country.

The warning, dated Feb. 8, replaces one that had been in place since April 22, 2011. It notes that “millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business … there is no evidence that Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) have targeted U.S. visitors and residents based on their nationality. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major trafficking routes.”

But it adds that “crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country and can occur anywhere. U.S. citizens have fallen victim to TCO activity, including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking and highway robbery.” According to the warning, the reported number of U.S. citizens murdered in Mexico increased from 35 in 2007 to 120 in 2011.

The updated warning cautions against nonessential travel to part or all of 14 Mexican states, including Chihuahua (which includes the Copper Canyon), Sonora (where U.S. citizens visiting Puerto Peñasco are urged to use the Lukeville, Arizona/Sonoyta, Sonora border crossing to limit driving through Mexico, and to limit travel to main roads during daylight hours) and Michoacán.

However, no advisories are in effect for such popular tourist areas as the state of Quintana Roo (Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum), southern Baja California (Cabo San Lucas), Guanajuato (San Miguel de Allende and Leon), Oaxaca (Oaxaca, Huatluco and Puerto Escondido) and Chiapas (San Cristobal de las Casas), as well as Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta and nearby Riviera Nayarit.

The warning recommends that travelers stay within the tourist zones of Acapulco, Ixtapa, Monterrey, Zihuantanejo and Mazatlan – where, the State Department notes, “incidents of violence are occurring more frequently in tourist areas. (Government) personnel are permitted to travel between the Mazatlan airport and the tourist areas only during daylight hours. We recommend that any other travel in Mazatlan be limited to (Zona Dorada and the historic town center).”

Via: USA Today

First: A reality check on Mexico

Mexico is in a unique position to reap many of the benefits of the decline of the US economy. In order to not violate NAFTA and other agreements the U.S.A. cannot use direct protectionism, so it is content to allow the media to play this protectionist role. The U.S. media – over the last year – has portrayed Mexico as being on the brink of economic collapse and civil war. The Mexican people are either beheaded, kidnapped, poor, corrupt, or narco-traffickers. The American news media was particularly aggressive in the weeks leading up to spring break. The main reason for this is money. During that two-week period, over 120,000 young American citizens poured into Mexico and left behind hundreds of millions of dollars.

Let’s look at the reality of the massive drug and corruption problem, kidnappings, murders and money. The U.S. Secretary of State Clinton was clear in her honest assessment of the problem. “Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade. Our inability to prevent the weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers and civilians,” Clinton said. The other large illegal business that is smuggled into the U.S.A. that no one likes to talk about is Human Traffic for prostitution. This “business” is globally now competing with drugs in terms of profits.

It is critical to understand, however that the horrific violence in Mexico is over 95% confined to the three transshipping cities for these two businesses, Juarez, Tijuana and Nogales. The Mexican government is so serious about fighting this, that they have committed over 30,000 soldiers to these borders towns. There was a thoughtful article written by a professor at the University of Juarez. He was reminded of the Prohibition years in the U.S.A. and compared Juarez to Chicago when Al Capone was conducting his reign of terror capped off with The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre. During these years, just like Juarez today, 99% of the citizens went about their daily lives and attended classes, went to the movies, restaurants, and parks.

Is there corruption in Mexico? YES !!! Is there an equal amount of corruption related to this business in the U.S.A.? YES !!!. When you have a pair of illegal businesses that generate over $300,000,000,000 in sales you will find massive corruption. Make no mistake about the Mexican Drug Cartel; these “businessmen” are 100 times more sophisticated than the bumbling bootleggers during Prohibition. They form profitable alliances all over the U.S.A. They do cost benefit analysis of their business much better than the US automobile industry. They have found over the years that the cost of bribing U.S. and Mexican Border Guards and the transportation costs of moving marijuana from Sinaloa to California have cut significantly into profits. That is why over the past 5-7 years they have been growing marijuana in State and Federal Parks and BLM land all across America. From a business standpoint, this is a tremendous cost savings on several levels. Let’s look at California as an example as one of the largest consumers. When you have $14.2 billion of Marijuana grown and consumed in one state, there is savings on transportation, less loss of product due to confiscation and an overall reduction cost of bribery with law enforcement and parks service people. Another great savings is the benefit to their employees. The penalties in Mexico for growing range from 5-15 years. The penalties in California, on average are 18 months, and out in 8 months. The same economic principles are now being applied to the methamphetamine factories.

FOX News continues to scare people with its focus on kidnapping. There are kidnappings in Mexico. The concentration of kidnappings has been in Mexico City, among the very rich and the three aforementioned border Cities. With the exception of Mexico City, the number one city for kidnappings among NAFTA countries is Phoenix, Arizona with over 359 in 2008. The Phoenix Police estimate that twice that number of kidnappings goes unreported, because like Mexico 99% of these crimes were directly related to drug and human traffic. Phoenix, unfortunately, is geographically profitable transshipping location. Mexicans, just like 99% of U.S. Citizens during prohibition, go about their daily lives all over the country. They get up, go to school or work and live their lives untouched by the border town violence.

These same protectionist news sources have misled the public as to the real danger from the swine flu in Mexico and temporary devastated the tourism business. As of May 27 2009 there have been 87 deaths in Mexico from the swine flu. During those same five months there have been 36 murdered school children in Chicago. By their logic, if 87 deaths from the swine flu in Mexico warrants canceling flights and cruise ships to Mexico, then close all roads and highways in the USA because of record 43,359 automobile related deaths in the USA in 2008.

What is just getting underway is what many are calling the “Largest southern migration to Mexico of people and real estate assets since the Civil War” A significant percentage of the Baby Boomers have been doing the research and are making the life changing decision to move out of the U.S.A. The number one retirement destination in the world is Mexico. There are already over 2,000,000 US and Canadian property owners in Mexico. The most conservative number of American and Canadian Baby Boomers who are on their way to owning property in Mexico for full or part time living in the next 15 years is over 6,000,000. Do the math on 6,000,000 people buying a $300,000 house or condo and you will understand why the U.S. Government is trying to tax this massive shift of money to Mexico through H.R. 3056. The U.S. government calls this “The Tax Collection Responsibility Act of 2007″. Those who will have to pay it are calling this the EXIT TAX.

Mexico: A better economic choice than China

Another large exodus from the U.S.A is high paying skilled jobs. The job shift in automobile sector, both car and parts manufacturing, is already known by most investors. In the last few months as John Deere and Caterpillar have been laying off thousands of workers in the U.S.A., and hiring equal numbers in Mexico. The most recent industry that is making the shift is the aerospace manufacturers. In the city of Zacatecas there is currently a $210 million aerospace facility being built. With the 11 U.S. companies moving there, it is estimated to provide over 200,000 new high paying jobs in the coming years. One of the main factors for the shift in job south to Mexico instead of China is realistic analysis of total production, labor and delivery costs. While the labor costs in China are 40% less on average, the overall transportation costs and inherent risks of a long distance supply chain, and quality control issues, gives Mexico a distinct financial advantage.

Mexico’s real economic future

Mexico has avoided completely the subprime problem that has devastated the U.S. banking industry. The Mexican banks are healthy and profitable. Mexico has a growing and very healthy middle and upper middle class. The very recent introduction of residential financing has Mexico in a unique position of having over 90% of current homeowners owning their house outright. U.S. banks are competing for the Mexican, Canadian and American cross border loan business. It is and will continue to be a very safe and very profitable business. These same banks that were loaning in a reckless manner have learned their lesson and are loaning here the old fashioned way. They require a minimum of a 680 credit score, 30% down payment, and verifiable income that can support the loan. In most areas of Mexico where Baby Boomers are moving to, with the exception of Puerto Penasco (which did not have a national and international base of buyers), there is no real estate bubble.. The higher end markets ($2-20 million) in many of these destinations are going through a modest correction. The Baby Boomers market here is between $200,000 and $600,000. With the continuing demand inside the Bay of Banderas, that price point, in the coming years, will disappear. This is the reason the Mexican government is spending billions of dollars on more infrastructure north along the coast all the way up to Mazatlan.

The other major area where America has become overpriced is in the field of health care. This massive shift of revenues is estimated to add 5-7% to Mexico’s GDP. The name for this “business” is Medical Tourism. The two biggest competitors for Mexico were Thailand and India. Thailand and India’s biggest drawback is geography. Also recent events, Thailand’s inability to keep a government in place and the recent terrorist attack in Mumbai, have helped Mexico capture close to half of this growth industry. In Mexico today there are over 56 world class hospitals being built to keep up with this business.

Mexico is currently sitting on a cash surplus and an almost balanced budget. Most Americans have never heard of Carlos Slim until he loaned the New York Times $250 million. After that it became clear to many investors around the world what Mexicans already knew: that Mexico had been able to avoid the worst of the U.S. economic devastation. Mexico’s resilience is to be admired. When the U.S. Federal Reserve granted a $30 billion loan to each of Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, and Brazil, Mexico reinvested the money in Treasury bonds in an account in New York City.

According to oil traders, Mexico’s Pemex wisely as the price of oil shot to $147 a barrel put in place an investment strategy that hinged on oil trading in the range of $38-$60 a barrel. Since the beginning of 2009 Mexico has been collecting revenues on hedged positions that give them $90-$110 per barrel today. Mexico’s recent and under reported oil discovery in the Palaeo Channels of Chicontepec has placed it third in the world for oil reserves, right behind Canada and Saudi Arabia.

The following is a quote from Rosalind Wilson, President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce on March 19, 2009. “The strength of the Mexican economic system makes the country a favorite destination for Canadian investment”.

OPPORTUNITIES: WHY PUERTO VALLARTA & THE RIVIERA NAYARIT

The answer is simple and old fashioned: SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

The area of Puerto Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit inside the Bay of Banderas is an investor’s dream. This area has the comprehensive infrastructure in place, world class hospitals and dental care, natural investment protection from the Sierra Madre Mountains, endless future water supply, low to nonexistent crime, international airport, and limited supply inside the Bay, first class private bilingual schools and higher than average appreciation potential. Like many areas in Mexico there is large demand for full and part time retirement living and a lot of construction underway to meet this demand. Pre construction of course is where the best bargains are available.

I would offer a word of caution for investors in Mexico. Do not be seduced by the endless natural beauty that is everywhere, both inland in colonial towns and along thousands of miles of beach. Apply conservative medium and long term investment strategies without emotion. The demand for full and part time living by American and Canadian Baby Boomers is evident throughout the country. The top two choice locations are ocean front, and ocean view. The third overall choice, which is less expensive, is inland in one of the many beautiful colonial towns or small cities.

Mexico, with the world’s 13th largest GDP, is no longer a “Third World Country”, but rather a fast growing, economically secure state, as the most recent five-year history of its financial markets when compared to the U.S.A.’s financial markets suggests.

DOW JONES AVERAGES MAY 2004 10,200 – MAY 2009 8,200 20% LOSS IN 5 YEARS

MEXICAN BOLSA MAY 2004 10,000 – MAY 2009 23,000 130% GAIN IN 5 YEARS

Mexiko vom Pazifik bis zum Atlantik   Am Morgen frühstücken wir noch auf der Fähre und machen uns gegen 9 Uhr fertig zur Abfahrt. In Mazatlán wartet bereits Edward auf mich, der für mich bereits Spanischunterricht organisiert hat. Und dann steht da noch Matt mit seiner Kawasaki, der kurz zuvor Edward sah und stehen blieb, um nach einem Reifenhändler zu fragen. Und wie es sich dann manchmal glücklicherweise so ergibt, nehmen Matt und ich jetzt Spanischunterricht   und wollen gemeinsam nach Belize weiterreisen, während Charly bereits nach Pachuca abgereist ist und Ed uns am nächsten Tag verlässt, weil sein Motorrad ungesunde Geräusche von sich gibt und er es lieber zu Hause in Colorado reparieren lassen möchte. Den Abend verbringen wir gemeinsam mit Harry und seinem BMW Motorradclub in einem Fischrestaurant, dass auch Bier in Oktoberfestkrügen serviert, die im Gegensatz zu unseren in Deutschland noch ganz voll gemacht werden. Machen eine kleine Motorradfahrt durch Mazatlán, sehen eine Autokolone feiernder Jugendlicher und besuchen das Aquarium.   Sonntag treffe ich den BMW Motorradclub zu einer Fahrt in die Berge. Die Männer sind flott unterwegs, wollen mir wohl zeigen wie gut sie Motorrad fahren. Die Straße rauf in die Berge wird immer kurviger und hat hin und wieder dicke Löcher oder querende Hunde und Kühe und Pferde am Rand zu bieten. Große LKW kommen uns auf der schmalen Straße entgegen, die den Weg abschneiden. Kein Problem. Ich kann die hinter einem LKW wartenden Männer in einer dieser Kurven überholen. Zurück darf ich dann vorfahren … langsamer … ohne jegliche Rennen, denn ich will ja auch die Natur hier mitbekommen. Harry meint noch, dass ich ziemlich gut Motorrad fahre und läd mich und Matt abends zum Essen ein. Ich lerne zum zweiten Mal Menschen kennen, die mich in ihr zu Hause einladen. Wir haben einem wunderschönen Abend mit Harry und seiner Frau bei Wein und gegrillten großen Garnelen.   Am nächsten Tag wollen Matt und ich Mazatlán verlassen. Während des Packens bekommt Matt starke Schmerzen im Rücken und ist fast nicht mehr in der Lage zu laufen. Als die Schmerztabletten aus der Drogerie und meiner Reiseaphotheke nicht helfen, suchen wir einen Arzt auf, den uns Stephanie empfohlen hat. Gut jemanden hier in Mazatán zu kennen, der uns solche Informationen geben kann. Der Arzt verschreibt Matt eine Injektion, die wir selber geben müssen. Und weil ich nicht jeden Tag eine Spritze gebe, geht das erstmal schief. Wahrscheinlich habe ich die Spritze nicht tief genug gesetzt. Matt ruft den Arzt an und wir gehen erneut in eine Apotheke, wo es auch jemanden gibt, der eine weitere Spritze richtig injezieren kann. Diesmal funktioniert es. Bin froh das wir hoffentlich morgen Mazatlán verlassen können, obwohl wir mittlerweile auch die öffentlichen Busse zu benutzen wissen und die teureren Touristentaxis links liegen lassen. Bei einem Bier genießen wir die Wellen des Pazifischen Ozeans und werden sehen, was die nächsten Tage bringen.   Am Mittwoch Morgen frühstücken Matt und ich bei Monica im El Menue, um ihr auf Wiedersehen zu sagen. Sie und ihre Nichte haben uns viele Tage gut bewirtet und wir fühlen uns irgendwie verbunden. Kommen lange an diesem Morgen ins Gespräch und tauschen E-Mailadressen aus. Monica ist 35, hat einen 17jährigen Sohn , der wie der Vater Pilot werden will und ist selbst bereist durch Amerika gereist. Open minded. Ein Freund, der zufällig an diesem Morgen ins Restaurant kommt, gibt uns Tipps für die Weiterreise.   Gegen Mittag verlassen wir Mazatlán und schaffen es an diesen Tag nicht bis Sayulita, ein kleines Dorf am Pazifischen Ozean, dass von vielen Gringos besucht wird, denen Puerto Vallerta zu groß ist.   Im Hotel Diamante treffe ich am nächsten Tag Bernbie und Linda wieder, die ich auf der Fähre nach Mazatlán kennen gelernt habe. Nachdem die Sonne am Strand untergegangen ist, gehen wir noch gemeinsam Abendessen.   Auf der Weiterreise werden wir kurz vor Puerto Vallarta von der Polizei gestoppt, die einen traditionellen mexikanischen Trauerzug über eine große Straußenkreuzung begleitet.   Auf der sechsspurigen Hauptstraße rein nach Puerto Vallerta, spricht mich ein Paar aus dem Auto heraus an. Der Mann kommt aus der Schweiz und hat mein deutschen Nummernschild gesehen. Es gibt ein deutsches Restaurant in der Stadtmitte, in das ich unbedingt fahren müsste, erzählt mir seine Frau. Ein kurzer Stopp und Blick in das Navi ergibt,   dass das deutsche Restaurant „Hacienda Alemana“ nur 1,6 km entfernt und auf dem Weg ist. Dort treffen wir auch gleich auf den Eigentümer Mike, der seit über 30 Jahren in Puerto Vallarta lebt. Wir verbringen fast drei Stunden bei Mike. Ich erzähle ihm auf deutsch von meiner Tour und er von seinen durch Mexiko mit seiner Harley Davidson. Die Speisekarte enthält lauter deutsche Spezialitäten, das Restaurant selbst ist fantastisch und das Essen ist exzellent. Diese nette Gastfreundschaft beenden wir mit einer herzlichen Umarmung und dem Angebot, ihn jederzeit anrufen zu können, wenn ich in Mexiko Hilfe brauche. Leute! Solltet ihr je nach Puerto Vallerta kommen, müsst ihr dort unbedingt essen gehen. Das Restaurant hat zudem Möglichkeiten zu übernachten.  Mike empfieht mir, weiter nach Punta Perula zu fahren. Die Kanadier, die das dortige Hotel betreiben, bringen uns mit ihrem Auto ins örtliche französische Restaurant, wo an diesem Abend eine Band traditionelle amerikanische Musik spielt, neben den anderen Gringos einige deutschstämmige unter den Besuchern sitzen, eine weitere nette Monica aus Peru mit uns über den Hurikan vom letzeten Monat spricht und Pizza serviert wird. Wir gehen den langen Weg im Dunkeln zu Fuß zurück und brauchen keine Angst haben.   Wir sehen am Abend die Dorfjugend  tanzen und in einer Kapelle spielen. Sitzen unter den Mexikanern beim Hahnenkampf und entscheiden beim zweiten toten Hahn, doch lieber wieder auf den Marktplatz zu gehen. Fantastisch! Bevor wir Punta Perula verlassen kommt ein ehemaliger Professor mit idianischem Blut auf einem Pferd daher geritten und will uns teilhaben lassen am Feiertag der mexikanischen Revolution.   zur nächsten Seite

We would like to share with you the distinction of “Certificate of Excellence for 2011” granted to our hotel by TRIPADVISOR.

We would be very pleased for you to visit us again and also to receive your comments and suggestions that may help us to continue to grow, trying always to meet your expectations and to attend to your smallest needs.

Our principal objective: That you have an excellent vacation or business trip and that you feel like you are at home.

Recent headlines in U.S. newspapers and news agencies like CBS/AP and CNN have published articles about the Mexican government’s success in recent captures of notorious drug cartel leaders. Two of the most noteworthy arrests have come in just the last month. The head of the La Familia drug cartel, Jose de Jesus Mendez Vargas, aka “El Chango”, was arrested in the central state of Aguascalientes without incident. Of greater national interest both in Mexico and in the United States was the capture and arrest of Jesus Enrique Rejon Aguilar, known as “El Mamito”, the Zetas cartel founder and leader who was connected with the killing of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent, Jaime Zapata, on February 14, 2011. According to Mexico’s federal police anti-drug division chief, Ramon E. Pequeno, the arrest of Rejon is “a triumph for the Mexican government. El Mamito’s capture is emblematic because he was one of the original Zetas.”

The initiative that Mexican President Felipe Calderon established during his administration to eradicate narco-violence at the highest levels in the cartels has not waned. It has, in fact, gained momentum with greater success as evidenced by multiple arrests during 2010 and 2011. These arrests should be of significant news to North American tourists, retirees and second home buyers. Mexico continues to be plagued by negative publicity in the U.S. and the perception by many that it is a dangerous country. This perception is simply not correct. Mexico must continue to increase reporting of successes in the fight against cartel narcoviolence. Americans, likewise, need to know where the sporadic border violence occurs and the fact that it is limited to specific geographic locations that do not impact touristic destinations or retirement and second home haunts.

According to the U.S. Department of State in a recent press release on April 22, 2011: “There is no evidence that U.S. tourists have been targeted by criminal elements due to their citizenship… Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day for study, tourism or business, and at least one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico… Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major trafficking routes.”

President Calderon and his administration have even gone so far as to declare 2011 the “Year of Tourism”. Mexico’s tourism agency SECTUR reported the international tourism income as $11.9B in 2010 with an expected increase in touristic revenues for 2011. 22.6M tourists came to Mexico in 2010, according to the World Chamber Congress 2011. They also forecasted Mexican GDP at 4.8% growth for 2011 as compared with 5.2% in 2010. That is two percentage points higher than the U.S. forecast for 2011. The International Retirement Foundation has said that Mexico is still the number one retirement destination for North Americans. The foundation also predicted that 6,000,000 retired Americans will live in Mexico by 2025. That equates to an increase of 4,000,000 retirees over the next 14 years.

Frontera NorteSur reported that the American Association of Retired Persons’ number one retirement destination for 2010 was Puerto Vallarta once again. It would not be hard to imagine that PV will again be number one in 2011.

Canadian citizens are the predominant buyers in Puerto Vallarta, accounting for approximately 50% of its real estate transactions. The same can also be said for the Los Cabos market as well as San Miguel de Allende. Arrivals into Mexico from Canada increased 22% in 2010 as reported by Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism. It is a blessing that the resort residential markets in Mexico have gotten this surge in sales activity from our neighbors to the north given that Americans, for the great majority, are still sitting on their wallets, waiting to see what transpires with the U.S. economy.

Mexican residential prices have continued to decline in 2011. This has created a wonderful buying opportunity for those who have the disposable income to take advantage of the lower prices. There appears to be a “bottoming out” in values in the various markets that will continue over the next few months. Distressed sales activity still leads the way with residential prices being down 30-50% from 2008 values. Most markets are experiencing 10-15 closed transactions per month. There does not appear to be a significant increase in closings per month, but there are certainly a number of “back and forth” contract negotiations occurring in all of the markets. Purchasers know this is a buyer’s time to purchase and will negotiate to the bitter end trying to obtain the lowest price a seller is willing to accept. A bright spot in the market has been the number of Mexican bank-financed transactions that are being consummated. Both BBVA Compass/LNB and Scotia Bank have offered competitive mortgage products for both American and Canadian borrowers at reasonable interest rates. Mortgage brokers have seen an increase in their business opportunities for mortgage financed transactions in recent months.

Distressed property sales and lower prices have reduced new residential construction, generally speaking. It is difficult to build a project that can compete with existing inventory, coupled with the number of properties available, unless the new construction price points are in line with existing values in any given market.

This scenario is not likely to change over the next 12-18 months. However, if a project can be offered at $200K-$500K for new construction, its sales activity may be brisk. There have been a few new developments in the Puerto Vallarta market, for example, that are experiencing good sales activity as a result of pricing their units in this range. It should be noted that conversion of an existing, unfinished building could be an ideal development opportunity for a retirement, independent or active living project. If the International

Retirement Foundation is correct in their estimate of 4,000,000 additional retirees in Mexico by 2025, developers and investors should be looking at this opportunity and what exists in the market for conversion. The “boomer” generation will be looking for retirement locales outside the U.S., but only if they’re in an affordable price range, as a fixed retirement income will dictate how they can live and what they can buy. The vast majority of boomers will be in pursuit of destinations that offer a comfortable lifestyle with good healthcare, development and cultural amenities, safety, security and airlift capacity. Many Mexico cities will offer exactly what North American retirees and second home buyers are looking for. For all these reasons and many more, Mexico is a market that is “half full”! n The International Retirement Foundation has said that Mexico is still the number one retirement destination for North Americans. 6,000,000 retired Americans will live in Mexico by 2025. That equates to an increase of 4,000,000 retirees over the next 14 years.

The German restaurant in town, and an ‘old’ favourite of ours (first dined at its former location – celebrated my 65′th there), especially on “buffet nights” (Wednesdays and Saturdays during the high season). It’s a lovely courtyard restaurant, with trees, flowers, and decorated in soft colours. Very pretty after dark, with all the candle-lighted tables, stars in the sky, and all. We (with friends) went to the restaurant to have the ‘summer dinner special’ (189p) – a three course meal, with choices from three different appetizers, entrees, and desserts – and we were sure glad we did, it was a great meal, and dining experience. Had: beer (on-tap, all-you-want!!), w/chips and salsas, shrimp and meat salads – beautiful to look at, and so tasty/good!!, ham hocks – several hocks, served in a very large dish/bowl, cooked to perfection, with tasty sauce and veggies, breaded fish & shrimp – lightly-battered and cooked, fish fillets and several shrimp, with rice and veggies, chocolate mousse for dessert – yum, to die for!! A wonderful meal, the food well-prepared and presented, and service to our table to match. We very much-enjoyed our evening at Hacienda Alemana.

Mariscos Polo’s (Francisco Madero 376)

It had been quite some time since we dined at Polo’s, it was a delight to finally return. A cute little place, decorated in/with bright and cheery Mexican colours, and the charming Polo at the helm (it was nice to see and talk with him once again). We were the only customers at the time, Polo greeted us, and served our table. Had: mango margarita (36p), w/tostados and salsas, wiri shrimp (170p) – with the sauce on-the-side, rice, and veggies, filet mignon (120p) – w/mashed potatoes, mushroom gravy, and veggies. Everything was well-prepared and presented (“picture perfect”). Our dining experience at Polo’s was very much-enjoyed.

Que Pasa? (Aquiles Serdan 625)

An “up in the neighbourhood” restaurant/bar favourite of ours – the place has a particular ‘charm’ about it, and it’s bright and colourful, the food is good, well-prepared, and priced right, and the service friendly. Had: beer (happy hour priced at 12p), Que?Pasa hamburger (65p), Hawaiian hamburger (75p) – the burgers with fries, and etc. The burgers thick, juicy, and delicious – from our experiences, the “best” tasting burgers in Vallarta. We like Que?Pasa.

Sea Monkey (Los Muertos beach @ Aquiles Serdan)

Our last evening in Vallarta. It was more of a drink and snack thing than a real meal – we enjoyed several of the ‘dollar’ margarita’s, an order of nacho’s, and two orders of chicken wings — a fun and most-appropriate end to our much-enjoyed Vallarta stay!! We found the margarita’s cold and (surprisingly) good, and the food to hit the spot – the nacho’s were good, the chips smothered in all sorts of tasty stuff & such, the wings ‘ok’ (half-decent for the price). Total of 286p for what we had, so no complaints. (returned for breakfast the next morning – so our very last real meal ‘in’ Vallarta)

Tony’s Please (Lazaro Cardenas 440)

A big favourite of ours over the past few years – Tony’s Please really does “please” us!! Mom in the kitchen, Tony, and brother this time (wow, they sure look alike!), doing the waiting/serving of tables – nice folks, and good, well-prepared food. We dined there twice this stay (wish it could have been more!). Had: beers w/nacho chips and salsas, shrimp crepe (118p) – better than lasagna Jean said!!, veal cutlets (105p) w/rice and veggies, tampaquena steak plates (128p), two large pieces of moist & very tender steak, w/a cheese-stuffed chili rellano, and the other items typical of a Mexican plate (seven items in total on the large plate) – each entree preceded by a small salad, and a loaf of warm and crusty bread in a basket (yum!!). Tasty, well-prepared and presented, good value-priced offerings, served up in a casual and pretty little place, in a nice neighbourhood setting. Tony and family do it well, and we so enjoy seeing them, and dining at their place!!

Victor’s Bar & Grill (Pino Suarez 232)

Our favourite ‘comfort food’ home-away-from-home dining place – Victor’s does it good, and consistently so!! It’s a family thing – Victor and/or a son and daughter, wait and serve the tables, while his wife and their Mom does the preparations in the kitchen. The recipes are Victor’s personal creations – Mexican-style adaptations to familiar favourite recipes he’s gathered from foreign travellers. For example — perogies, designed with the help of traveller’s from Winnipeg and Calgary!! It’s a small place, it’s rather warm (only fan-cooled) on a very warm day/evening, but the drinks are cold, the food is good, and the service friendly. Our kind of place, especially when a “big” meal is not wanted. And Victor’s card trick skills are sure fun to watch!! Had: perogies (60p for six) – four different flavours (stuffings), and we tried them all, they are large, well-stuffed, and flavourful, pizza – priced according to toppings, we tried a few – the ‘meat lovers’ (105p), a half & half w/pineapple/pepperoni on one side, and vegetarian on the other (105p), and vegetarian (95p), my personal favourite, tasty and so colourful!! Happy hour beer prices 15p. Good food and service!!

Cheers, and happy Vallarta dining everyone!!
John & Jean (and Marg too!)