New resort in Tulum, Mexico
Forget the crowded beaches of Cancun…the best beaches in Mexico are hiding just 65 miles down the coast on the southern edge of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, near Tulum.
If you are looking for an easily accessible coastal retreat where you could enjoy living, retiring or just spending time overseas, then Tulum should be on your radar screen. Not only is it beautiful—and not only can you buy here today for less than $150,000—but this area is poised to be the next “hot spot” along Mexico’s Riviera Maya, which means property values are likely to increase.
For tranquility and natural beauty, you cannot match the deserted stretches of sand along here. They’re dotted with coconut palm trees, populated by curious iguanas and sea birds and met by azure blue water… and total silence but for the roar of the surf.
The most secluded lengths of beach sit in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, a nature preserve just south of Tulum.
Tulum itself is surrounded by untamed jungle, ancient forest cities, the protected biosphere and the Caribbean sea. And its beaches boast the same white powdery sand and sparkling Caribbean waters as those in the nearby preserve.
Culture, History, Things to Do
A little context: The Riviera Maya runs south of Cancun to Tulum on the Yucatan Penninsula. Offshore, the world’s second-longest coral reef, teeming with brightly-colored tropical fish, hugs the coastline.
This region is rich in culture and history, and there’s plenty to do. You find excellent Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza and, in fact, right at Tulum. You can golf, hike, and explore ancient caves. In the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, there’s bird watching, kayaking and fly fishing. The coral reef offshore attracts divers and snorkelers.
Between Cancun and Tulum sits the town of Playa del Carmen. Not so long ago, Playa was just a small village with packed-sand streets. But over the last 10 years—as Mexico aggressively marketed its Riviera Maya to tourists—it shed those fishing-village roots. Now the streets are paved or cobbled, and the stores more up-market. The main street, 5th Avenue, is a cool place to hang out in the evenings. The restaurants and cafés serve everything from traditional Mexican to Thai food. The shops sell a mix of luxury goods, handcrafts, jewelry and textiles.
You won’t see faceless chain hotels or mega-malls on Playa’s cobblestoned streets. Instead, you’ll find chic boutique hotels and small family-run stores selling ornate silver jewelry, locally-produced earthenware and textiles. You can listen to live jazz over brunch at one of the beachfront restaurants, or grab a sunset drink at one of the beach bars. Playa del Carmen has come a long way. If you bought here 10 years ago, you did well. Really well. Today, you will pay up to $600,000 for a 1,000-square-foot condo in Playa del Carmen.
The Next Riviera Maya Hot Spot
That’s why I have my eye on Tulum, the “next Playa del Carmen,” just 40 minutes to the south. As I said, this is where Mexico’s best beaches are. Today Tulum is like what Playa del Carmen was 10 years ago.
Tulum is and will stay boutique. This is where you’ll come for a yoga retreat, to learn a new skill, or to just relax. The Sian Ka’an biosphere next door guarantees that much of the land will remain protected. Development will be low-rise and low density (where permitted).
Less than two hours on a modern highway from Cancun’s international airport, Tulum is already easily accessible. And a new fly-over road system at Playa del Carmen will make Tulum even more accessible to Cancun airport. Soon even that won’t matter, though, as Tulum is getting its own airport, which will bring 3 million visitors directly to this area.
This place is special. It will stay special. Best of all: You don’t need to sacrifice on convenience or accessibility to get such a special place.
The real estate market here is set to boom. Now’s a good time to get in. And you don’t need to spend a fortune to do it.
My Recommendation
Established developer Benjamin Beja has created a new project called Tao aimed at people interested in staying busy and engaged. Here owners will be able to do things like golf, practice yoga, get a massage, take a cooking or Spanish class, even attend a guest lecture.
And while the development will provide a million-dollar look, feel and amenities, condos start at less than $150,000.
Tao will be located within the Gran Bahia Principe Resort close to Tulum. The world-class Robert Trent Jones II golf course on the property opened late last year. Cenotes (natural sinkholes filled with fresh water) dot the golf course. The new 7,600-square-meter clubhouse is slated to open this month. Clubhouse amenities include tennis courts, a spa and restaurants overlooking the cenotes and the golf course.
The Tao development is right on the golf course, and the centerpiece of the project is the wellness center, where you can do yoga and Pilates on specially-constructed glass platforms built over the illuminated caves. You can swim in the lap pools that weave their way through the development or work out in the gym.
At Tao, $259,000 buys you a townhouse of 2,100 square feet (including exterior space). A condo of 969 square feet costs just $149,000.
For more information, e-mail Benjamin or Donna at: donna@mexicoalive.com.
**********************************
See For Yourself
Ronan took a lot of video footage when he visited the Tao development in March. Watch it at: www.pathfinderinternational.net/taovideo.
**********************************
Chill on the Riviera Maya for Just $150
Wonder what it might be like to live or spend time here? What if you could get a taste of this new life? This is where the Pathfinder Chill Weekends can help.
A Chill Weekend is nothing more than an opportunity to enjoy a short vacation in exchange for allowing a developer the opportunity to showcase a property or development he is promoting.
No strings, no pressure, no hard sell—just a chance to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of buying a home here, and to savor the culture, activities and lifestyle. Best of all, the developer picks up some of the tab. Benjamin wants to be your host.
You’ll be met at the Cancun airport and taken to Gran Bahia Principe. Your three-night trip includes accommodation, food, cocktail receptions, dinner in Playa del Carmen’s finest restaurant and the chance to learn more about Tao—for only $150 per person. You’ll have a whole day to relax, too, or explore the Riviera Maya. For more information, e-mail: donna@mexicoalive.com.
**********************************
A New Airport for Tulum
Last year, Mexico’s Riviera Maya greeted 2.9 million visitors. A government plan calls for this number to increase to 11 million by 2025. An increase like this means a major infrastructure investment. Mexico’s president Felipe Calderon came to Tulum in late March. Accompanied by his minister for tourism and infrastructure, he officially kick-started the Tulum airport project. The president told a gathering of press and dignitaries that construction contracts would be awarded by the end of the year, with construction to begin shortly afterwards. The 1,500-hectare site (just outside Tulum) is “ready to go.” Once open, the airport will accommodate three million visitors. Tao is 15 minutes away from the site for the new airport.
**********************************
Earn Money Renting at Tao
Right now, there is a shortage of rentals in the Gran Bahia Principe resort, where Tao is located. This resort is operating at 96% occupancy this year and frequently has overflow. That’s why it has a block booking of 300 rooms at a neighboring resort. I expect the rental market will be strong for the Tao properties…perfect if you want to rent your home for part of the year.
Editor’s Note: Ronan McMahon is the Executive Director of Pathfinder (International Living’s preferred real estate advertising partner), which focuses on opportunity for gains in strategic pockets around the world-before most folks have even heard of them. He writes for Pathfinder’s real estate investment service, the Real Estate Trend Alert.
