Costa Mayan Properties

Great deals in Costa Maya Real Esate, New Mahahual, near Puerto Costa Maya cruise ship port

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

With the high season around the corner, a lot of attention has been focused recently on the area of New Mahahual, near the Costa Maya cruise ship port. Beautifying the area is taking place now with house fronts being painted, free of charge, and general cleaning of the main avenue. There are now walkways under tall palms through the main avenue, from the port to the main road, with rustic tree trunk benches and wooden gazebos, placed at intervals to provide areas to rest and relax.

New Mahahual is an area popular with many as it is on the grid for electricity and water supply, has small supermarkets, cafes and bars, all within walking distance, but best of all, it is only 5 minutes away from the beautiful Mexican Caribbean Sea and the white sandy beaches! New Mahahual is a great place for those who are looking for a place to stay while their beach front property is being built, to have an investment property (great rental occupancy) or to have your future home. As the area is not beach front then the prices reflect this and are very affordable. An added advantage is that there is less to worry about in hurricane season as the properties are all inland!

There are a few 2 and 3 bedroom homes available in New Mahahual, all priced very fairly. Some have been remodeled to the individual taste of the owners and others are more simple, ready to live in now, with huge possibilities for expansion if desired.

Check out our listings for more details on the area.

Mahahual Fishing Tournament, Lion Fish Delicacies & Costa Maya Real Estate: Heaven House in Placer For Sale

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

This past weekend in Majahual, Costa Maya was a busy one. The third Mahahual annual fishing tournament "The Mahahual Cup" welcomed 29 boats with the majority being local boats, but with a strong presence from Belize as well. The winners were a local team with a blue marlin weighing in at 87kgs (192lbs).

Another event was hosted close by at Sulumar Restaurant, on the southern end of the malecon (pedestrianized walkway). Majahual restaurant owners presented lion fish cooked to their liking and everyone else went to try it out. Delicious! The hope is that every restaurant will start serving at least one lion fish dish (provided by the local fishing co-ops) in the hope to start to diminish the amounts of this pesky, but beautiful, fish from our coral reefs. A volleyball/football pitch was set up on the beach and everyone had fun. Thanks to Lauren Smith, Dreamtime Diving, for the photos and information.

We have a new Costa Maya real estate listing. In the prestigious neighbourhood of Placer, to the north of Mahahual, there is a very accessible 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom house, only a couple of minutes walk to the beach. This house is aptly named, A Piece of Heaven. Priced at only US$195,000.

For more details on this great opportunity, see our listing at: http://costamayanproperties.com/index.php?lan=8&sec=art&id=131&cat1=re

New Real Estate Listing, Casa Playa Maya, in Majahual, Costa Maya. Commerical or Residential Use.

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

We have an unusual new beachfront listing. Unusual as this property, located only 7 kms south of Mahahual town centre, can be used either as residential or commercial. It has in fact been used as both before and has an interesting history.

Two buildings are on this property, a two-storey 2 bedroom house with 1.5 bathrooms and caretaker's house with 2 bathrooms and a storeroom. Both share amazing views of the garden and the Caribbean sea beyond.

There are many advantages to Casa Playa Maya. 50 metres of beachfront, with soft white sand and clear waters, perfect for swimming. Numerous tall palm trees and many palapa (thatched) areas provide great shade. The largest palapa is the perfect place for outdoors dining with relaxing in a hammock afterwards, all only steps away from the ocean and accompanied by a cooling sea breeze.

This is an amazing all-in-one package. The owners are including their company, and a valuable pier permit, which is extremely difficult and tardy to obtain, along with other permits. This Costa Maya property has amazing potential to be developed into a commercial entity or keep as residential; the choice is yours.

Check out the listing for more details: http://costamayanproperties.com/index.php?lan=8&sec=art&id=122&cat1=re

Great priced new real estate listings in Tanquila and Mahahual, Costa Maya

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

During May, Costa Maya has received more than usual amount of rain. Beach house owners are happy though as it means their cisterns are full.

So far June has been surprisingly busy on the real estate side of business, with a lot of people confirming their visits to view property in July and August. Most are not looking at a particular area, rather looking to buy a great priced deal, either on the coast or in New Mahahual. This along, with the national tourists who flock to Mahahual, should mean a busy summer season.

We have some new real estate listings at great value prices; a great 20 metre beachfront lot in Tanquila, located halfway between Majahual and Xcalak, with the road located at the back and no mangrove at US$125,000. Check out the listing: http://costamayanproperties.com/index.php?lan=8&sec=art&id=123&cat1=re and You Tube video: http://youtu.be/rj751sPviGoAnother

Another is a corner lot on the main avenue in New Mahahual, which leads ot the Costa Maya cruise ship port. This lot can be used for commercial, residential or mixed and is listed at US$55,500.

See our listing: http://costamayanproperties.com/index.php?lan=8&sec=art&id=124&cat1=re

Mahahual, Costa Maya Beach Clean with Sustenta; Conserving Chinchorro Banks and the Mesoamerican Coral Reef.

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Limpia Mahahual 2012 (Clean Mahahual 2012) initiated in 2009 by Sustenta, a company based in Mexico City, dedicated to making people socially and environmentally responsible.

Sustenta organized the Mexican Caribbean beach clean up event, which was held on Saturday 25^th February, with support from a variety of other companies, both local, national and international. The idea was to make people aware of the global contamination of plastic in the oceans, which washes ashore on the Mexican beaches and also to encourage the reduction of the use of plastics in general.

The local community turned out in force (350 people compared to only 50 in 2009) with incredible results; 562 bags (1547.7kg) of PET was collected , 427 bags (1281 kg) of plastic and 555 bags )3607 of other rubbish. All recyclable plastics were taken to a recycling plant in Chetumal. Prizes of non-motorised scooters, water drinking bottles, water filter machines and radios were given to the winning teams.

Many tourists visit Majahual, Costa Maya, to go scuba diving or snorkeling at the famous Chinchorro Banks, a natural reserve 35kms from Mahahual. That's what happened in my case more than 8 years ago! With the Mesoamerican coral reef, the second largest in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, running parallel with our Mexican Caribbean coastline, it's vital that we protect it to ensure that future tourists arriving in Costa Maya can enjoy it.

Mahahual thanks Sustenta for it's support and hopes to see an even bigger turnout for 2013.

Mahahual�s lighthouse base complete; Hugely discounted 32 metre beachfront property in Rio Indio, Costa Maya.

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The base of the lighthouse in Majahual, which marks the start of the malecon or pedestrianized promenade, has been completed. As you enter Mahahual you can see the lighthouse at the end of the road. The surrounding area around the base has been paved and decorated with plant pots and will provide a great place for tourists and locals alike to watch the cruise ships when in the Costa Maya Port.

Buying property in Costa Maya has been a dream for buyers recently with some greatly reduced prices. One such Mexican Caribbean beach property is located in Rio Indio, only 9kms to the north of Mahahual. The price of this beachfront lot has been hugely reduced to only US$185,000 for 32 metres of beachfront. Prices in Costa Maya real estate tend to go on linear metres of beachfront and being only US$5,782/linear metre is an incredible bargain!

There are a few advantages to this lot (apart from the great price). It is extremely private, with the road is located to the back of the lot, as well as being in a cul-de-sac with no through traffic. Close to town for conveniences, far enough out to avoid the crowds, good paved road to the property (except the last 100 metres). Incredible sandy beach, with no rocks, clear water, great snorkeling etc. However, the huge advantage of this lot is that it will soon be one of very few Costa Mayan beachfront properties on the electrical grid!

Why so cheap? Simply put, the owners are desperate to sell. Check out listing: CMY-LTW-1864.

Mahahual Lion Fish Tournament a great success! New Costa Maya Real Estate Listing: Private Beach House for sale in Payotocal, South Majahual.

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

This past weekend the third successful Mahahual lion fish tournament took place. These pesky, venemous fish unfortunately don't have a natural predator in these Mexican Caribbean waters, but the lion fish hunters this weekend caught a total of 1,113: the most successful tournament to date. Four scuba dive teams and six snorkel teams took part and afterwards hunters, friends and family alike enjoyed some delicious lion fish delicacies cooked up by the local restaurants. The next tournament is planned for July in Chinchorro Banks.

For Costa Maya real estate we have a new property listed for an incredibly private 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom beach house. Located in the south of Mahahual, in Payotocal, this elegant beach home has been popular with both the owners and vacation rental guests for a few years. Lots of Mexican talavera style decorate the house and the special feature is the huge upstairs terrace overlooking the Caribbean Ocean and palm filled beach. Check out: http://costamayanproperties.com/index.php?lan=8&sec=art&id=120&cat1=re

New Costa Maya Beach Home Listing in Puerto Angel, Costa Maya; Developing Town with Road Markings in Majahual.

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

We have a new Costa Maya real estate listing. A beach home in Puerto Angel, Mahahual, known for the pristine white sands, gentle lapping waves and clear waters. This beachfront house has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Lots of great features with this Caribbean beach home; tons of storage space, laundry room, coastal road passes behind the house, giving great privacy, large sliding glass doors, giving lots of light and flow through breeze to mention just a few. The highlight however is the roof top terrace. Check out our listing: CMY-HOW-2602

Road markings have begun to be painted on the streets from the lighthouse through Mahahual town. This is like a wake up call for our once sleepy fishing village, now developing into a well-ordered town. First we had a couple of roundabouts put in at the entrance of New Mahahual/Costa Maya cruise ship port and at the lighthouse. Now we have road markings. It won't be long before we have traffic lights! It's a bitter sweet situation as everyone wants development in order for economic growth, however it's still nice to keep the small town feel and to conserve the natural beauty which attracts tourists and a reason why many Mahahuale�os initially came to live here.

Free Eye Clinic in Majahual and Xcalak a great success; New 3 bedroom house with pool in New Mahahual, near Costa Maya Cruise Ship Port; Great Value New Beachfront Property in Rio Indio

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

On Saturday a free eye clinic was held in New Mahahual, organized by Tara Shields of the "In Lak'ech Project Inc., 119 Mahahualenos had their eyes tested and the majority went away with glasses that same day. The day before the eye clinic was held in Xcalak, with 154 patients. Tara has been an instigator in organizing many free clinics for the people of Majahual and has been nicknamed "La Angel Guera", The Blond Angel! For more information on her charitable works check out: http://mexicoclinic.org.

We have a Great new listing in New Mahahual. A remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house with lots of closet space, outdoors dining and a pool at the back. Lots of special touches make this home a great purchase, the front outdoors shaded sitting area, hammock hanging patio by the pool, extended kitchen to name just a few. At only US$130,000 it's a great deal for those ready to start a new life in Costa Maya straight away.

Check out listing: http://costamayanproperties.com/index.php?lan=8&sec=art&id=116&cat1=re

Another new listing; this time Caribbean beachfront property at the south of Rio Indio, so easy access into Mahahual town. Clear water, sandy beach, cleared lot, no mangrove, to mention just a few qualities. The most important though is the outstanding value at only US$160,000.

Check out listing: http://costamayanproperties.com/index.php?lan=8&sec=art&id=118&cat1=re

Development at Mahahual�s Lighthouse, Costa Maya. Offers accepted on beachview condo in Majahual Town Centre

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Development at Mahahual's Lighthouse, Costa Maya; Offers accepted on condo in Majahual Town Centre

The base of the lighthouse in Mahahual, Costa Maya, will be a scenic place for tourists to come and take in the views of the Costa Maya cruise ship port to one side and the town to the other. Development started last week and the idea is to have the base of the lighthouse paved, similar to that of the "malecon", promenade.

The owner of the 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo in town, behind the Hotel 40 Canones, is desperate to sell. The price has been reduced to only US$120,000 from US$165,000 and the owner is now willing to accept offers. Beautiful finishes with Mexican stone tops and hard wood furniture, a beach view and all the facilities of the hotel available to you. This property would make a great investment for someone interested in the vacation rental market when they are not visiting as property management is already in place.

Children celebrate on Mahahual�s �malecon�, Costa Maya, New Mahahual, near Costa Maya Cruise Ship Port, home with pool; TOP Vacation Rentals of Beachfront Homes

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The 6^th January is "Dia de los Reyes Magos" (King's Day), Epiphany Day. Children love this day as it's when they receive a present (from the kings as opposed to Santa Claus), have a pi�ata, eat the sweet bread "Rosca de Reyes" and drink hot chocolate. A government agency "CROC", provided all of the above to the children of Mahahual and the part of Mahahual's "malecon" (promenade) where it was held was crammed with children having fun.

We have a new real estate listing in "Las Casitas", New Mahahual, the area near the Costa Maya cruise ship port. It's a three bedroom, 2 bathroom home, with a swimming pool in the back garden for only US$130,000.

Vacation Rentals of beachfront homes has been busy over the holiday season with enquiries still coming in for the rest of the high season. If you do have any plans to come and visit Majahual/Mahahual or the Costa Maya area over the next few months, check out our beach house rentals. This gives you the perfect chance for you to experience Caribbean beach living before you invest in your own property.

Holiday Season in Mahahual, Costa Maya, Beachfront Road Improvements, TOP Real Estate Property Deals

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The "Mahahualenas", a group of ladies who do charitable works in Mahahual, organized the children's Christmas party again this year and it was a huge success as usual. This year it was held at the football field in the town centre. Santa came, photos were taken, presents were given out and pi�atas were hit, sweets being scattered everywhere. At one point, in my role as translator, I was squashed under the pi�ata with kids at my feet grabbing sweets and squealing in delight!

The first road in town is now being paved, formerly a sandy track. Businesses along the road are pleased as there'll be no more continuous cleaning of their fronts due to the dust blown up from passing traffic as before. In the south the road has been graded so that the potholes have been filled; a huge relief to homeowners and vacation rental guests along that part of the coast.

Real Estate in Costa Maya at the moment is slow, but steady. It's a buyer's market for sure, with people taking the advantage of the huge discounts being offered by some property owners. Recently two discounted "casitas" houses in New Mahahual were discounted further and then sold immediately afterwards. In my last blog the listing CMY-LTW-1517 in South Mahahual, reduced to only US$175,000 for 30m of prime beachfront, was snapped up.

Check out the listings to see there's a variety of properties on offer to suit all budgets in Costa Maya at the moment. From as little as US$21,000 for a lot in New Mahahual, close to the beach (listing 2537), US$35,000 for commercial/residential property in Xcalak (listing 1701) and US$90,000 for 20 metres of Caribbean beach front property (listing 2531).

There seems to be an equal amount of real estate investors from Mexico and abroad at the moment. The Mexicans know exactly what happened with tourist locations such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen to the north and don't want to miss another opportunity to own beachfront property before it's all gone. The foreign investors tend to be looking for a slower pace of life, where people have time to be with friends and family and enjoy the natural beauty of this area; scuba diving, snorkeling or simply chilling on a Caribbean beach with a book.

If you haven't visited Mahahual, Costa Maya, already, now's your chance to explore and the only cold thing you'll have here is a beer!

Costa Maya�s Jats�a-Ha Festival, New Real Estate Listing, Condo in Mahahual town centre with Caribbean Ocean View

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

This past weekend saw an influx of tourists, both national and international, to Mahahual to celebrate the fourth annual Jats'a-Ha Festival, which celebrates a new beginning for this Mexican Caribbean town after the devasting hurricane Dean, which hit in August 2007. Opening with a Mayan ceremony, there were an abundance of activities for all. Photography and sandcastle competitions, live music, folklore dancing, an ecological workshop, and on the sporting side, volleyball and a triathlon, to mention just a few! Every year this festival is becoming bigger with more events and more participants; a positive for our usually quiet town.

On the real estate side, there has been an influx of interest in the Costa Maya area over the past few months. New listings and more people enquiring about the area. Maybe the reduced real estate prices are attracting people or the realization that, as the most southerly Mexican Caribbean coast, it's unspolit beauty is non-existent in the busier tourist centres of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and even Tulum, to the north.

One of the new listings we have is for a town centre 1 bedroom condo only 50 metres away from the beach. Great Caribbean ocean view as you sit on the terrace enjoying meals or simply sipping a cocktail. As the owner of this condo it's proximity to all the town's amenities and the ocean also makes it a valuable vacation rental. With a popular hotel carrying out property management you can purchase this condominium as an investment without worrying about the maintenance, whilst also enjoying some income. Furnished and turn-key, check out the listing now!

Foreigners helping Costa Maya and New Beachfront Real Estate Listing in Placer

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

I have been working in the Costa Maya real estate region for various years. Many people like me, after visiting Mahahual, Costa Maya, for their first time, immediately fall in love with the area and want to find a way to help the people in the local community. In fact, many people decide to help out before even coming here. Two such ladies are Tara Shields from the US and Julie Martin from Canada.

Tara Shields originally visited Costa Maya on a cruise and has been returning for the past few years. She started "Lak'ech Project, Inc.", ( www.mexicoclinic.org ) a non-profit organization which helps provide Mahahual and the surrounding area with medical supplies.

As a Registered Nurse, her medical background will no doubt ensure that her plans to start a clinic in Mahahual will be successful. On her last visit recently she brought down fluoride and with the help of a local lady (a former dentist), Maria Denegri, she administered fluoride to all of the local school children. This is just one example of the great things she has organized here, with many new projects to follow!

Julie Martin, a professional music teacher, (www.lepetitatelier.ca) was planning a family holiday to Costa Maya and decided to volunteer her time and experience by giving free music lessons to the children of Mahahual.

She had never visited the Costa Maya before but as she had lived in Cancun years before, she was eager to help. Staying in Xcalak, she traveled to Mahahual where she gave music lessons at the local Montessori school. Being open to all the children, it proved very popular and they loved playing the percussion instruments and being stimulated by something very different and new. These same instruments were then donated to the school where they will surely be used many times again.

Thank you to both these ladies and the many others who take effort to donate supplies and their time to Costa Maya and it's community; it really is appreciated.

On the Costa Maya real estate side, an incredible opportunity has just become available for a piece of Mexico land in Placer, to the north of Mahahual. With 16 metres (52 feet) of beachfront, this lot is in the prestigious zone where the building density is high. With the clear Caribbean Ocean gently lapping the white soft sand, some tall palm trees, the road already placed towards the back of the lot, this new Costa Maya beachfront property is the ideal place for those looking at an investment or a place to build their future home.

For more details check out our listing.

Costa Mayan Properties - Xcalak Real Estate - Two lots just reduced. Beachfront House for sale - Turnkey!

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Xcalak is a village located 60 kms (38 miles) south of Mahahual and just 11 kms (7 miles) from the Belize border. Without having the influence of the cruise ship port you'll find that it has a completely different feel to it. The village itself is small. As you enter there is a grassy football pitch and you can see the Caribbean ocean, only 3 blocks away. A primary school, private homes, a dive centre and several restaurant/bars are located in the centre. There is even a fine dining restaurant owned by two expats, "The Leaky Palapa", which offers incredible dishes and has gained a great reputation all along the Costa Maya coast.

This most southern town in Quintana Roo state is a haven for fly fishermen, scuba divers and snorkellers. There is a marine park here, meaning the amount of marine life is abundant and the corals are in pristine condition. You have a real feeling of being off the beaten track here and it's a perfect place to sit back, relax, enjoy nature and mingle with the friendly locals, Mexicans and expats.

One of the reduced lots is located on the entrance of Xcalak on the very corner of the football pitch. The lot is zoned for commercial and/or residential use and architectural plans have already been drawn up for shops on the ground floor with two residential storeys above. These are included in the sale price of US$49,000, down from US$60,000.

Leaving the village there is a coast road and you'll pass by some beautiful private beach homes and small hotels. At km 7 you'll find the other reduced price lot, now offered at US$99,000 instead of US$120,000. This beachfront lot has several advantages; it has been cleared, the road running at the back of the lot, and it has great elevation.

Even further up the coast at km 12 there is a stunning designed 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, beachfront home available which is being sold turn-key, even the moped is being included! Perfect for those of you looking for a home ready to move into immediately. Check out Casa Mio Maya for further details.

Off the beaten track...... New listing in Puerto Angel, South Mahahual, Costa Maya

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400

After a busy weekend away visiting friends in Cozumel it is wonderful to be back home in Mahahual, Costa Maya. Whenever away for a while it's wonderful to take advantage of everything that Costa Maya doesn't have; cinema, large supermarkets, shopping, different restaurants and bars, seeing new faces, the opportunity to put on some high heels etc. however whenever I see the lighthouse on arrival in Mahahual, I breathe a sigh of relief.

Costa Maya is definitely off the beaten track. It's not on the way to anything else. You don't pass by it, like Playa del Carmen or Tulum, and then decide to stop off. You have to decide to turn off the main highway, 307, drive 55 kms and decidedly visit. That's why it's unique and that's why I love it here.

When people do make it here they are amazed at the lack of traffic, (there aren't any traffic lights here yet), how quiet everything is, the town is right on the Caribbean beach, the many restaurants offering fresh seafood, the incredible scuba diving and snorkelling to the second largest coral reef in the world, only a 5 minute boat ride away. With the mangroves running parallel to the coast there is an abundance of tropical birds and the fresh water lagoons are perfect for fly fishermen. The list is endless, but if you are really looking to get off the beaten track, come and visit.

Costa Mayan Properties offers a variety of different beach houses available for rent, where you can switch off from the speed of city life and really relax. With the summer season being the low season in Mahahual, check out our houses, see which one you like and ask us about us special summer discounts.

For more information about living in Costa Maya, please read this article, written by Thomas Lloyd, from TOP Mexico Real Estate, after interviewing me:

http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2010/06/real-estate-in-mexico-costa-maya-your-new-home-off-the-beaten-track/

On the Costa Maya real estate front, there's a lovely beach-front lot just listed, located in Puerto Angel, to the south of Mahahual. With 25m of virgin white sandy beach, tall palms and clear gentle waves breaking on shore, this could be exactly the property that you are looking for as an investment or to build your new home. Check out our listing for more details.

Scuba diving in Mahahual, Costa Maya, Chinchorro Banks and Lion Fish

Fri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

My first trip to Mahahual, with my husband, was with the sole purpose to go scuba diving in Chinchorro Banks, a pristine coral atoll located 28 miles or 45 kms off the Costa Maya coast. Both being diving instructors and working in Cozumel at the time, we had heard so much about this magical place and were looking forward to going. Unfortunately during our 3 day stay we couldn't go out to Chinchorro due to the weather conditions. It wasn't particulary rough, however in order to go to Banco Chinchorro the conditions must be perfect and a minimum amount of divers are required. Added to these factors there is a very limited amount of boats having the permit to go to Chinchorro (it's a national park), hence making it harder to get all three factors in line during such a short stay. This certainly raised the mystery of Chinchorro and were successful in diving there on our second visit a couple of months later.

We thoroughly enjoyed our local dives and were surprised to learn that the barrier reef took only 5 minutes to reach by boat. There are fingers of corals that extend out and between each finger there's a canyon that were between a metre wide or up to 10 metres wide. It was such a strange experience diving with a wall of coral on each side of you with the deep blue straight ahead. Marine life was abundant and, although there was a lack of the schools of larger fish that we were accustomed to in Cozumel, the corals were so healthy it certainly made up for it. Huge barrel sponges and soft corals, moving slowly with the gentle current, reminded me of the palm trees lining the quiet beaches in Mahahual. We were fortunate to see lots of large marine life, such as turtles, stingrays and a couple of eagle rays.

Unfortunately at the moment there is a phenomena, which is hitting the corals reefs hard; the lion fish or, "pez leon". This beautiful looking fish with it's fins extended is actually slowly destroying the reef by eating it. As it's home was originally the Pacific, it has no natural predator in the Caribbean and the Costa Maya dive centres have decided to act now and destroy this pesky fish in order to protect our underwater haven.

A beach barbeque fund-raising event was held recently, hosted by one of the dive centres, Dreamtime Dive Centre, and attended by all dive centre owners in Mahahual, along with the general public. La Tortuga Azul, Blue Ocean Safari, La Zona de Buceo, MexDive and XTC were all represented, which is typical of community events in Costa Maya; all in the same business, but working together!

A demonstration was given of how to filet the lion fish and, after having been soaked in garlic butter sauce, was grilled and proved to be a great hit.

Royal Caribbean�s �Oasis� docked in Mahahual

Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Yesterday the largest cruise ship in the world, the Royal Caribbean's "Oasis", docked in Mahahual. This was quite an event with many people who weren't working going to the lighthouse to take photos and admire it's size. Another cruise was also in, the Pullman's, "Pacific Dream", the majority of it's passengers being Mexican and coming to know Costa Maya for the first time.
To mark such an event, the state's Tourism Secretary, Lic. Sara Latife Ruiz, hosted a breakfast meeting with local business owners, which I was fortunate enough to be invited to. She talked about promoting Costa Maya as a destination for both Mexicans and foreigners alike and how it's essential for all business owners to work together in order to promote the area as a whole, rather than individuals. She also mentioned that Mexico has had it rough recently with the combination of the world economy collapsing, the swine flu epidemic last April and the reports of violence in the north of the country.

Quintana Roo's tourism department does have various plans to promote Mahahual and Costa Maya and the meeting was a great way for local businesses to join forces. Hopefully we'll be successful in promoting tourism in the area, both national and foreign.

Often I find that people who come to stay at one of the vacation rentals that I manage comment that it's just what they are looking for: somewhere off the beaten track, private beaches, clear waters, great coral reef so close by (I could go on!) with potential for growth and a great sense of community spirit. With prices ranging from US$55,000 (for a two-bedroom, 1 bath house in the residential area near the cruise ship port) to US$450,000 up (there are some beautiful beach houses that are being sold turn-key) the range of properties available suits many budgets.

�Puerto Angel

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

"Puerto Angel" literally means "Angel's Port" and when you visit this part of coast, 14 kms south of Mahahual, you will think you've arrived in heaven! The sand is very fine and white and as the coral reef is further out from shore than in the centre of Mahahual, you have the inviting crystal clear Caribbean, without turtle grass, and often some gentle rolling waves. Tall palm trees line the beaches here and provide great shade.
Costa Mayan Properties has several lots listed in this area, which is zoned for private residences. There are in fact a few houses already built here. We have 5 adjacent lots, each 20 m wide beachfront and another 20m wide beachfront. More details on the listings.
Access to town is easy as you have the quick route, via the "good" asphalt road, or the beach road, where you sometimes have to dodge the pot-holes, but can stop off to greet your neighbours and catch up on the local gossip.

Investors continue to move to Mahahual and on Saturday an elegant new restaurant/bar, "Le Terraze", opened it's door.
They will be offering sushi (a first for Mahahual), grilled meats along with a variety of other fantastic meals. Located on the malec�n with the advantage of being up on the first floor with magnificent views of the turquoise waters.
This is the place where you can dress up smartly and ladies can wear their high heels and won't feel out of place! Mahahual offers many restaurants with fresh seafood being the forte on most menus, with some offering an international flavour, however the dress code for all is smart-casual, the emphasis being on casual!

There�s a great new listing of a one-bedroom house in New Mahahual

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

There's a great new listing of a one-bedroom house in New Mahahual, which is the main residential area near the Costa Maya cruise ship port. Only 5 minutes from the beach! This house is perfect for a couple or single person as is, however building regulations in this area allows you build an additional two floors if desired. As this house is in New Mahahual, unlike the beachfront houses, it is on the main electrical grid and has town water. Nearby there are many conveniences such as small supermarkets, internet caf�, DVD rentals, telephone call centre, a few bars and restaurants. Check out my listing no. 1553 for more details and photos.

This week Mahahual has seen different events which has been interesting. A new Italian hotel, "Quinto Sol", opened it's restaurant and bar on Monday with the hotel part to be opened shortly. This hotel is at the start of the promenade "malecon" and has some stylish Italian touches.

Tuesday night there was a reggae party complete with street volleyball, huge palm leaves decorating the bar, Aroma, and a raffle organised by Diamonds International. The idea was to raise funds to buy rubbish bins and "don't litter" signs so that we can keep this area clean and tidy. Apart from being pleasant for residents, all Costa Maya cruise ship passengers pass through here before going to the beach or the Mayan ruins so it's vital to keep it tidy so they decide to come back and stay for longer in our hotels or beachfront rental homes.

Wednesday was market day – a first in Mahahual! The Mayor's office "Alcaldia", made a deal with local farmers to come to Mahahual to sell fresh vegetables, fruit, plants and cheese. Fresh and cheap made it very popluar! They plan to make this a bi-monthly event, the next one to take place on the football pitch in the village so it'll be more easily accessible to more people. This will hopefully become a weekly event as, apart from a couple of small supermarkets, fresh produce has to be bought on your big shopping trip to Chetumal.

So, there are lots of things happening in the local community and you can choose to take part in any event you like – all are very welcome!

The Costa Maya real estate market is still in the early stages of development

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The Costa Maya real estate market is still in the early stages of development. On the southern half of Quintana Roo south of the Riviera Maya and bordering with the country of Beliz, the Costa Maya region extends for nearly 100 km along the Mexican Caribbean waters. The northern half is marked by the border with the Sian Kaan Reserve limits and southern far point with the small village called Xcalak. Mahahual is situated in the middle of Costa Maya where a cruise port exists receiving thousands of tourists a year at their piers and downtown boardwalk.

Last week I took a client to see a beachfront lot in the Sian Kaan Reserve. I hadn't been there for a couple of months and was surprised to see how much the vegetation had grown and how I had forgotten just how wide and incredibly beautiful the beach was; gentle waves rolling in over the fine sugary white sand with a multitude of tall elegant palm trees swaying in the breeze. This lot is at the entrance of the reserve and only a 45-minute (50km) drive away on a well-surfaced road from the busy Mahahual village (it was a cruise ship day), yet the feeling of peacefulness there was amazing.
Residential buildings are the only type of construction permitted in the reserve and the building density is very low here. That means that the lots are large so it's perfect for people looking for peace and quiet with the knowledge that there will always be a lot of space between you and your neighbours. Needless to say an offer has already been made on this lot!

In the late afternoon preparations were being made for the Mahahual Carnival 2010. The carnival has been established for the past few years, but this year was the first where there was a great feeling of community as both Mexicans and foreigners, living along the coast, in the village or in the main residential area, "Las Casitas", which is next to the cruise ship port, were ready to party. The floats were led by "Las Bomberitas", (the fire fighting girls), sponsored by Sol beer, who proved to be very popular! Following were a number of other floats, including the International Float, a recycling float, the school floats, with the youngest dressed as baby chicks to the older ones looking very professional in their glittery costumes complete with large colourful feathers, "Las Mahahuale�as" a group of ladies dedicated to community work in Mahahual, dive centres and many more.

The procession left the "casitas" and passed through the village doubling back on the new promenade, "malecon". It was spectacular to see the tourists and locals alike (many wearing their own carnival face masks) watching in awe as the array of different floats passed them by them with. Finishing up at the stage area on the "malecon" different groups performed their dance routines with spectators enjoying the show and lots of cold beer. A full moon, the palm trees and the beach completed the perfect picture of paradise and provided a stunning backdrop for a great evening enjoyed by all.

Come visit us for Carnival 2011 to see what it's all about!