The Costa Maya has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches…and quickly appreciating property prices.

"This is government-backed development on a big scale, and the Mexican government is both serious and experienced when it comes to prepping particular stretches of its coast for tourism. International Living began alerting its readers to the Mexican government’s plans for this region more than five years ago. In that time, prices are up 100% and more. It is still possible, however, to buy in at a price that positions you for considerable further appreciation. As my own experience indicates, though, you’ve got to be connected and persistent in your searching."

– Lief Simon, Editor, Global Real Estate Investor

Dear Reader,

It’s not too late.

But if you want to get in on the coming boom on Mexico’s Costa Maya (now five years along in its government-driven development), you need to act.

Act alone, and you’ll have your work cut out for you. The investment of time and money could be significant. Some of the big agencies operating in the area have been marking up prices according to a pre-determined schedule for years. Buy through them, and you’re going to pay top retail rates. The way to get a deal that makes sense is to work through a local agent, or to negotiate directly with the local owner. Go this way, though, on your own, and you risk trouble, hassle, delays, and disappointment. Is the title good? Are the boundaries clear? Who, really, owns the land you’re thinking about buying?

Yes, there’s considerable appreciation in land values yet to be seen along this coast. And, yes, it’s still possible to position yourself to profit as a result. But you’ll need a hand.

Let us help. We’ll introduce you to the local resources who know the area inside-out. We’ll provide the information and contacts you need to get the best possible deal in this booming market, without worrying about suspect titles or unreasonable markups.

FASTEST-GROWING REGION IN ALL MEXICO

All recent news is good. More infrastructure is in place every time one of our contacts visits the region.

The Riviera Maya of Mexico–the area from Cancun south to Tulúm–constitutes the fastest-growing region in the country. The Costa Maya–from Tulúm south to the Belize border–isn’t far behind. The government is committed to developing this entire coast into the biggest tourist destination in a country already boasting several proven (and thriving) tourist regions. And this government knows what it’s doing. Pave the roads…run the electrical lines, they believe…and the tourists will follow. They did it in Cancun. They’ve done it on the Riviera Maya. Now they’re doing it on the Costa Maya.

Those who bought two or three years ago are already sitting on impressive profits of up to 100%. Those who buy today could be in the same position in another 36 months.

This region of Mexico hides not only the quickest-appreciating property prices, but also some of the most beautiful beaches in all the Caribbean.

It has another secret, as well…the best-kept secret of the entire Mexican Caribbean coast.

THIS SPOT WON’T BE UNDISCOVERED MUCH LONGER

The land mass of the Yucatan Caribbean coast is limestone. The formations of cenotes (blue water holes), underground caves, lakes, and lagoons are thought to interconnect from Chetumal to Cancun. Hundreds of miles of underground caves have been mapped by divers.

Laguna Bacalar, a magnificent 35-mile (50 km) long freshwater lake near Chetumal just minutes from the Caribbean coast, is one of these formations. Today, it is an undiscovered gem. A pristine lake of seven colors. As development continues on the nearby coast, though, and in this Riviera Maya region in general, this lake will begin to receive the attention it deserves.

The nearby town of Bacalar is home to a Spanish fort that protected the city from pirates hundreds of years ago. The town today isn’t what most tourists would find "charming," but renovations are under way on the fort and the main square.

Bone fishing in the flats around Chetumal Bay is world-class, as is the deep-sea fishing. And from Chetumal, it’s an hour by boat to Belize and the second-longest reef–and some of the best diving and snorkeling–in the world.

But perhaps the best part is that land prices along the shores of this lake are a steal. On the Costa Maya, you’re a few years into the buying cycle. Here at the Laguna Bacalar, you’re on the ground floor.

We’ve been traveling to, researching, and reporting on this region for more than five years. We’ve taken at least a half-dozen groups of International Living readers to these shores to see the opportunities for themselves. Now it’s your turn. Come see for yourself the development and the investment under way on this coast.

We promise: You’ll be won over not only by the potential of this investment…but also by the beauty of the place. If you enjoy the Caribbean…this is as good as it gets.

WE’LL FLY TO CANCUN AND START IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN

We’ll fly to Cancun, the easiest launching point for our explorations. From the airport in Cancun, we’ll head directly to Playa del Carmen…about a 40-minute drive. We’ll spend our first two nights in Playa del Carmen.

Not long ago, Playa del Carmen, the next big town south along the coast from Cancun, was no more than a ferry dock and a few souvenir shops. Today, Playa del Carmen is the fastest-growing destination in this state of Quintana Roo…in all Mexico, in fact.

And get this: One of our contacts recently reported that three buildings purchased here in 1987 for $25,000…were just sold for more than $4 million. I think it’s safe to say those investors are happy with their returns.

We’ll take you to see the action in Playa del Carmen for yourself. You may be interested in investing here. It’s perhaps the most appealing, comfortable place to spend time in this region. And, yes, property values here have a long way to move in the right direction.

Or you may want to look even farther south. That same world-class coast continues down to Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, Tankah, and Tulúm…and on south to Majahual and Xcalak, the southernmost point of the Costa Maya.

All along this coast, hotels, restaurants, and other tourist-related businesses are springing up, filling a need that hasn’t even begun to be met. Niche markets are everywhere, begging to be filled.

And, remember, this is the Caribbean. This will be an ambitious trip. We’ve got a lot of territory to cover. But we’ll leave you some time to enjoy the scenery. And the scenery doesn’t get much better…

Long stretches of deserted beach…clean white sand and clear, warm, turquoise-blue waters…a quiet day spent in a hammock beneath the shade of a coconut palm…an honest-to-goodness escape from the world… On the one hand, what’s going to happen…what’s already happening on this coast…is a pity. On the other hand…boy, what an opportunity.

QUITE A TRACK RECORD

In 1976, Cancun was a deserted strip of beach with no electricity, no phones, and one sorry, sand road. Land changed hands for $3.70 a square foot. Today it sells for 19 times that. If you’d bought a beachfront lot in 1976 for $36,000, it’d be worth $700,000 today. That’s an appreciation of nearly 2,000%.

Thirty years ago, Cancun didn’t exist. Today the hotel zone with its high-rise buildings, gourmet restaurants, and U.S.-style shopping malls attracts more than 3 million visitors a year.

You have to admit, Mexico knows how to run a PR campaign.

But don’t take our word for it. Come see for yourself. Our special investment expedition to this region is scheduled for February 7-14, 2004. The itinerary we’ve put together and the contacts we’ve made guarantee that you’ll see the most appealing investment opportunities on offer right now and will give you a chance to compare spots along this coast.

This is an opportunity that deserves your immediate attention. And the program we’ve designed for this trip will make it possible not only for you to discover the possibilities, but also, critically, to understand how you can best position yourself to take advantage of them.

This is a trip that you could never recreate on your own. International Living has been researching this market for more than five years. We’ve been on the ground in Mexico, paying close attention, for the past 13 months. The caliber of the contacts you’ll make on this trip is alone reason enough to make it. In addition, we’ll stay in the best digs, enjoy private meetings, and travel in the company of a small group of like-minded would-be investors. We’ll all benefit from each other’s past experiences as we investigate this opportunity in VIP style.

In these uncertain times, this kind of investment, in real estate, in a market poised for boom, makes more sense than ever. And the moment of opportunity for you to get in is moving on.

For more information and to reserve your place, contact Michelle Sedita or Barbara Perriello in our tour office today by phone at 1-800-926-6575 (or 561-243-6276), or via email at tours@gate.net, or to see pricing information and a full itinerary, go here.

We look forward to meeting you on the Costa Maya,

Dan Prescher and Suzan Haskins
for International Living in Mexico