Public Service Announcement: Ley Seca

THIS IS A FRIENDLY PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: 

Tomorrow is Election Day in Mexico. That means that Ley Seca (Dry Law) will be in effect -- No alcohol will be sold from Midnight on Saturday until Sunday at Midnight.

So, if you plan to enjoy chelas at the beach tomorrow, you had better stock up today!

Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

Promising News for Those Who Travel with Pets

I had previously posted that Mexico was beginning enforce its long standing policy of not allowing pets to travel in the cabins of airplanes. They had notified many of the international airlines who were in violation of this policy and the airlines have since responded with changing their policies to ban in-cabin travel.

I received an update from a blog reader who kindly sent a list of airlines that had changed their policies and no longer accepted pets. (You can see this info in the comment section of my previous post.)

Not only does this policy affect many tourists and residents who travel with their pets, the enforcement of this policy was devastating for the various pet rescues that send happy pets back with their new owners.

Well, it looks like there is good news for pet owners! Mexican authorities have had a huge response and are listening! They have reportedly revised the policy yesterday and will be distributing notices to the airlines.

For those of you who are following this story, an excellent source of info can be found at this post on Jaltemba Bay Life Blog. She is regularly updating this post with the newest info that is available.

Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

Where are the logs on the beach coming from?

Those of you who have been walking the beach for the past few weeks may have noticed, but for those who haven't been in town:  Where are all of the logs of driftwood coming from??

For several weeks, giant logs are rolling onto the beach. Some are palm tree trunks, others are different. Wonder where they are coming from??

Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

Saludos from Puerto Morelos

Just wanted to share a quick pic from last night's sunset in Puerto Morelos. Saludos!!

Puerto Morelos Travelog: Family Time in Puerto Morelos

Check out this family's pics and travelog from their recent stay in Puerto Morelos! 

Their favorite meal was at El Pesquero!

"I would happily go back to Puerto Morelos; if not for the food and the aqua ocean waves crashing on the beach, then for the change of pace a little fishing village provides, the slow sway of a comfy hammock during nap time, and my girl and my husby hanging together in the pool."

Our "Puerto Morelos Travelog" series features blog posts from recent visiting Puerto Morelophiles.  We always enjoy 'seeing' Puerto Morelos from a different perspective!  If you have a travel log that you would like to share, please send us an email!  If you would like to see previous Travel Logs, click the "Puerto Morelos Travelogs" link under the section titled "Search Blog by Topic" in the right column of this blog.

Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

Happy Birthday Puerto Morelos!

Puerto Morelos is celebrating their 1st anniversary as an Alcaldia today.

There will be all sorts of festivities this evening in the park, starting at 6 pm.

Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

Ask A Realtor Workshop Attendees: I'm looking for your feedback

This post is for those who have attended on of our "Ask A Realtor Workshops" over this past high season. I am going to ask all of this past high season's attendees for a BIG favor...

If you attended one, could you take a moment to provide feedback to me? Your feedback is MUCH appreciated!!

• Did you find the Workshop's information to be helpful?
• Are there any topics that you would recommend that I add to the session?

You submit your feedback as a comment on this blog post or email it to me directly: Amber@MayanRivieraProperties.com


Each year, I add/subtract info to make the workshop more helpful for attendees. So, hearing your feedback is a great way to make adjustments.

I certainly look forward to our weekly sessions! I get to meet a lot of blog readers through them and enjoy sharing the info!

Our weekly "Ask A Realtor Workshops" will be back in December of 2012!

Best to you all!
Amber






Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

Community Activism Group Has Formed & Seeks Support

There is a new community activist group that has formed, Voces Unidas de Puerto Morelos (United Voices of Puerto Morelos).

They have produced the following two documents and are seeking support from fellow Puerto Morelians:

1. They have created a declaration letter, which can be viewed here in Spanish, which states the mission of Voces Unidas de Puerto Morelos.  This letter is being signed through a notary in order to reflect the official support that the group has by Puerto Morelos Citizens.
   
   Anyone interested in signing their support to the group and their mission statement can sign at Notary 64 this week (June 11-15) from 9am to 5pm. Notary 64 is located on the second floor of the strip mall that is just north of the Puerto Morelos overpass, on the west side of Highway 307.
   
   In order to sign: Nationals need to present: IFE or passport and Proof of Address.  Foreigners will need to present: Passport, FM2/3/Residence Card and Proof of Address.  If you don't happen to be in Puerto Morelos, there is not a way to digitally sign or support this document.
   
2. Wasting no time in fulfilling their mission they have also created an official denouncement letter siting several Puerto Morelos resorts that are being singled out for ethical, legal, or environmental issues.
   
   This petition can be signed at Cafe Amancia. If you are not in town and would like to lend your support, please send the following in an email to vocesunidaspuertomorelos@gmail.com:
   
   [YOUR FULL NAME] quiere incluir mi nombre en la denuncia. [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS HERE]

Both documents are currently in Spanish. In the interest of getting the information out in time for those interested in signing, I wanted to distribute the info ASAP.

The group has said that they will be releasing English versions. I will post the English versions when/if they are received.  In the meantime, the letters can be copied/pasted into Google Translate for a translation.



Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

June 13th! Check out the new PoMo - Havana Cruise Ship

Get a Tour of the Adriana, Tropicana Cruise's ship that will be operating between Cancun and Havana!

Puerto Morelos Ship Dock

June 13th

10:00 - 20:00

Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

June 17th Free Workshop to Create Organic Garden Fertilizer

Where: 

Casa Caribe Bed & Breakfast in Puerto Morelos, Mexico

When: 

Sunday, June 17th, 2012 at 11:00 am

#768 Av. Javier Rojo Gomez

Gerardo Villaneuva has developed a very simple system for use in your house: organic matter goes in to feed worms and out comes the world's best fertiliser -- clean and easy to use. He will show you how to use the boxes and explain how best to take advantage of the industrious worms and the garden fertilizer. 

You also get daily worm tea! Gerardo is also installing worm systems in Xcaret and supplying hotels with live sprout boxes. 

We'll be sampling sprouts at brunch this day as well. 

Seminar is in English and Spanish!

Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.
Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

July 1st: Mexico's Presidential Elections

As with any election season anywhere on the planet, one can hardly get around during these days without being bombarded by political signs. Mexico is no exception and the contest is in its final stretch.

On July 1st, Mexico will elect another President who will serve a 6 year term. (Presidents cannot run for re-election.)

Smartly, campaigning in Mexico is limited to 3 months. This year, there are 2 scheduled debates (a 3rd might be possible) prior to the elections.  Coming from a land of endless campaigning and debating, this is rather refreshing.

While I have lots of opinions on the upcoming election, I am not a voting citizen. So, I'll keep them to myself. But, if you have been following, you'll know that this year's election cycle has been interesting and has awakened a lot of voices that had been silent.

On July 1st, Mexico will decide its next leader. I think this election, potentially, a pivotal moment in Mexico's long history.

At the very least, here's to hoping the campaigns return to remove the signage when it's all over.



Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

Mexican jockey will be riding I'll Have Another for his shot at the Triple Crown!

Mexican Jockey, Mario Gutierrez

For those of you who don't know, I am a horse-crazy girl. I've got the bug, and I've got it badly. So, I'll be watching the Belmont Stakes Race this Saturday.

This year's Belmont Stakes is especially exciting for two reasons:

1. The phenomenal horse, I'll Have Another, has already won this year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness. (He also won this year's Santa Anita Derby. The horse is on a roll.)
   
   So, he's one race away from winning the Triple Crown! It's been 33 years since Affirmed won the Triple Crown and only 11 horses since that time have been in I'll Have Another's position to win all three races.
2. The background stories in horse racing always make the races even more exciting. I'll Have Another's story is no exception. There are lots of great reasons why I'll Have Another has an outstanding history, but his jockey is quite exceptional. Mario Gutierrez hails from Veracruz, Mexico. He was a relatively unknown in U.S. racing when he mounted long-shot I'll Have Another for the Santa Anita Derby.  Neither the jockey or the horse's trainer had ever won a Triple Crown race. And as they say in racing, the rest is history...

Cheer on Mario Gutierrez and I'll Have Another on Saturday! It's a 1.5 mile race. The longest they have had to run as a team.  Many horses that breeze through the other Derby Races, can't hack the extra distance.


Race Time is 6:40pm EST, 5:40pm PoMo Time.

Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

Update on Yesterday's Post

Yesterday, I blogged about the recent criticism (by some -- or at least someone) about having tables, etc. in the Puerto Morelos streets near the square, and asked what were your thoughts on the issue as well as the related issue of traffic in the town square.

I just thought I would let you know that I received some comments via email, which I have put into the comments section of the post so that I could share them with everyone.

As with anything else, opinions vary. The majority of responses I received felt that allowing the businesses to pull their tables and wares into the street adds to the charm. But, readers were more divided on whether to block off traffic in the park in the evenings.  Those opposed are sighting parking and limiting options for people with mobility issues.

Interestingly -- and perhaps something that was worth mentioning yesterday -- is that the idea of closing off a town square to traffic in the evening is not a new idea. Many towns and cities in Mexico close off their main plaza to traffic around 5 pm.

Parking would certainly be an issue that would have to be addressed. Although, I would submit that it is an issue already.

Anyway, food for thought.  Just wanted to let you know that you can read through the comments and add your two cents, if you feel so inclined.

Saludos to you all from Puerto Morelos!
Amber




Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

Puerto Morelos Reef = Calm Waters!

"Why I love the Puerto Morelos Reef" Reason #847: No Big Waves!

This Won't Be You in Puerto Morelos:

The Reef in Puerto Morelos, about 500 meters from the shoreline, breaks the incoming waves -- making Puerto Morelos more like a lake than an ocean.  Great for kiddos! Great for swimming!

Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

The Puerto Morelos Town Square: What do you think?

There has been some complaining in the press about the restaurants that put their tables & chairs in the street in front of their places in the evenings. Critics say that it is dangerous. Others find it part of the charm.

Since we on the subject of the Town Square -- I think it would be a GREAT idea if they shut the Town Square off to traffic starting at 5 pm! Then, restaurants could easily & safely pull out their tables & chairs. Families could stroll about. Artists could set up their wares. I think it would be quite lovely!

What is needed is Public Parking!! Currently, there is a privately owned lot that is south of the town square whose owner is kindly allowing the city to use as free public parking. However, this lot will eventually be developed and PoMo will be short on parking again.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  Should businesses be allowed to use the streetsides? Do you think it's a good idea to close the park to car traffic in the evenings?





Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

New! Cruise Ship from Puerto Morelos to Cuba

Tropicana Cruises will be operating a new cruise line that will be operating between Puerto Morelos, Mexico & Cuba!

If anyone partakes in a voyage, I'd love to hear your travel report upon your return!


Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

Mexico To Enforce Law that Prevents Pets in Airline Cabins

[UPDATE: This is is a developing story. Click here for the update that was posted since this post was published.]

For those who fly with their animals to Mexico: Be aware that many U.S. airlines are beginning to enforce long standing Mexican laws that prohibit pets from flying in airplane cabins.  Pets will be required to fly in the hold area under the plane.

Airlines say that the changes are at the request of Mexican authorities.  However, critics say that the law is being misinterpreted and that the airlines are using it as an opportunity to charge extra for pets.


Twitter and Facebook Readers can view the original post and leave comments at: PuertoMorelosBlog.com.

Amber Pierce-Schulz is the Broker/Owner of Mayan Riviera Properties, specializing in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.