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I never imagined that the brutal, financial knock-out punch my wife, Diane, and I absorbed back in 2008 would turn out to be the best thing that’s ever happened to us. It gave us the push we needed to leave the U.S. and begin our new lives overseas.
If travel is for fun and casual exploration is what you’re after, then a great way to save money when traveling is to restrict your visits to restaurants. Choose instead to visit local markets and grocery stores, purchasing fresh ingredients to create your own meals.
From the rooftop terrace of her luxury condo, Lori Gold gazes toward the Caribbean Sea before sliding into the warm water of her rooftop pool. “Honestly, it’s like I live in a postcard,” she says. “A place like this would cost way more than I could afford in Toronto. Plus, you can’t get a place on the Caribbean in Canada.
The deep influences of centuries of Spanish occupation are clearly visible almost everywhere in Mexico, from small villages and large cities. The spectacular architecture and beautiful stonework, along with the layout of villages and cities, provide a distinctive and historic European feel throughout much of Mexico.
"This is the place to be if you're going to be in the dive shop business," says Lara Alasia, co-owner of Divers UnderGround in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. "It's a well-known and uber-popular dive destination.
When I awaken each morning to the sounds of the Caribbean surf rolling onto the sugary beach only yards away, and watch the pelicans and gulls plucking their breakfast from the waves, I realize my good fortune to live where I do on Mexico's Riviera Maya.
Every morning, as I roll over and open my eyes, I'm greeted by the turquoise blues and subtle greens of the Caribbean Sea only a few yards away. I wake up slowly to the smell of the salty, sea air and the sounds of the surf rolling onto the shore.
The Riviera Maya is a glorious stretch of sparkling white sand and turquoise-green Caribbean waters, bathed in balmy tropical sunshine. Beginning in Cancún at the northeast tip of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, and running about 80 miles south along Mexico’s Caribbean coast, this spectacular stretch of palm-studded beach draws about five million vacationers from across the globe, each year, making it the Caribbean’s number one vacation destination.
My wife Diane and I are far from wealthy. Yet, as I was paying my bills online recently, I glanced out the window of my condo at the beautiful colors of the Caribbean Sea only a few steps away.
"I'm no world adventurer," says Richard Marazzi. "I'm just a guy with a laptop who can run my company from anywhere there's an internet connection...and has had some incredible experiences because of it.