Amazon is Coming to Mexico!

For some time, you have been able to choose certain items that "Ship to Mexico", but soon Amazon will be full throttle in Mexico.

Check out this article from Mexico Daily News.

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

Mayan Riviera Properties, specializes in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

Yucatan Train Project Derailed

Plans for the high-speed train that would have potentially connected Chetumal/Merida/Mayan Riviera/Campeche has been scrapped. Check out Globe and Mail news article here.

Budget cuts due to low oil prices seem to be reason for axing the project.

Bummer! Maybe they'll pull it off of the shelf in the future!

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

Mayan Riviera Properties, specializes in Puerto Morelos Real Estate and Puerto Morelos Vacation Rentals. We are members of AMPI and Federally Certified Realtors.

Changes to TIP Car Importations

People ask me all of the time about importing foreign vehicles. When you bring a car from another country across the
Mexican border, it is issued a Temporary Import Permit (TIP).

Long story, short:

• You can only do it if you have a Tourist Visa or a Temporary Residency Visa. (Permanent Residents may not have foreign plated vehicles.)
• If you have a Tourist Permit and bring your vehicle across the border, your vehicle's TIP is only good for the length of time of that SAME tourist visa that you imported it with. So, if you leave Mexico without your vehicle, that vehicle is illegal.
• Each person is allowed 1 TIP. The vehicle's title must be in that person's name.
• If you have a Temporary Residency Visa, you must renew your TIP permit.
• Personal 2 Cents: TIPs are a huge pain. Don't do it unless you plan to cruise around Mexico for a short time and then return in your vehicle. If you live here, get a car here.

For those of you that are Gluttons for Punishment, here's the latest updates from The Yucatan Times on the hoops one must jump with their TIPs.

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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.

Time is Changing in Puerto Morelos and the Rest of Q. Roo

The idea of changing the timezone in Quintana Roo has been brewing awhile.

On December 4th, efforts finally resulted in the Congress approving placing the state of Quintana
Roo in the Eastern Time Zone, rather than the Central Time Zone.

The state will change to the Summertime Eastern Schedule (and, according to this article in The Playa Times, not participate in Daylight Savings Time) starting in April 2015.

In all, it shifts the clock to allow more daylight during the evening hours.


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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's Congress Passes Telcom Overhaul

Back in March, I had posted about a possible Telcom Shakeup in Mexico.


Well, it turns out that Mexico's Congress has overwhelmingly passed an overhaul to the Telcom industry.

"The bill encourages more foreign investment in the telecom industry and gives regulators the power to stop companies from controlling more than 50 per cent of the market, a measure aimed directly at telecoms tycoon Slim and Televisa." - Reuters

Interestingly, the article also mentions that (fairly) new President Enrique Pena Nieto is also planning to introduce reforms to energy and tax structure later this year.



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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 Proposal Would End Necessity of Fideicomisos for Foreign Owners in Mexico´s Restricted Zone

Federal Legislators in the PRI and PAN party have drafted legislation that would essentially eliminate the necessity for foreigners to own their properties in fideicomisos (trusts) within the Restricted Zones of Mexico. For this act to pass, it would require amending Mexico´s constitution to do so.

Click Here to Read About Fideicomisos & Why They Are Required.

The proposed change is seen as a way to further encourage foreign investment by eliminating the costs associated with a fideicomiso. However, those of you who have taken our seminars know that a trust is a great way to own foreign property in any country, as it eliminates any probate issues for heirs to your property in the event of the property owner´s death.

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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.

Big Shake Up in the Works Mexican for Telcom, Radio, & TV

New Reforms could mean less $$ for this guy, Carlos Slim

Interesting article on Slate this week about a possible reforms coming to the Cellular Phone, Radio, and TV sectors in Mexico. Not only would the allowable percentages of foreign investment increase in these sectors, it would could more competitive rates/service in cellular phone and internet service.



Those of you who received this post via email, some embedded items -- like videos -- cannot be seen. You will need to click the title of the blog to be taken directly to the post to view the full content.

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.

Paul McCartney to play in Chichen Itza

It was recently announced that Sir Paul McCartney has been invited to play a concert in Chichen Itza. The date for his concert has yet to be announced, but it is speculated to be in March/April of 2012.

The concert will be the latest in a series that has included Placido Domingo, Sarah Blackman, and Elton John.

The concert announcement isn't welcomed by all parties. The INAH, a group of archaeologists, is collecting signatures on a petition to express their disagreement with the concerts:

Sir Paul McCartney, You enjoy great public fame due to your musical and business talents. With the former, you changed and shook the ancient constraints of two-faced Victorian morality … The music and lyrics of you and John Lennon, as well as George Harrison and Ringo Starr, contributed to the new configurations of social imagination of much of the western world. 

These actions and emotions projected as transgressors to the status quo. Those who listened and shared your rebellion assumed your many diverse ways and borrowed them for some circumstances, just like “déjalo ser” — “Let It Be” … 

To give a concert at the archaeological zone of Chichén Itzá, violates the constitutional order of the Mexican Republic … The archaeological site of Chichén Itzá is a national asset, in common use and public domain, attached to the EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF MEXICAN SO NO PARTICULAR PERSON OR GROUP MAY profit from it … it would be unlawful and illegal. 

The ignorance of Mexican law does not excuse compliance, if the governor of Yucatán, Ivonne Ortega Pacheco and her subordinates did not mention the constitutional provision on the archaeological site in question, it is obvious that it was because they intended to profit economically and politically with their concert. 

On the other hand, the archaeological zone of Chichén Itzá, has enormous significance for Mexicans and is a unique study area for understanding the different stories of the western world. For this reason, teachers INAH researchers working to understand, preserve and protect, rather than exploit and squander, like exotic scenery for use and enjoyment of a few. 

Now you know that the concert in Chichen Itza is illegal, illegitimate, and contrary to the interests of Mexicans. If, despite this, you perform [the concert], it demonstrates to us that it is indeed a violation of the order, always and when the transgression benefits you, all under the pretext of ‘let it be’.” 

Your answer is in the wind.

What do you think about these concerts being held in Chichen Itza?



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.

BIG WOW! Mayan Ruins found in GEORGIA, USA

[Update: MEA CULPA!  This article turned out to be false.  Sorry!]

Read all about it!  They've uncovered Mayan Ruins in GEORGIA, USA.



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.

Dec 21, 2011 -- One Year Until the End! :)

Well, it's December 21, 2011.  So, it's officially ONE YEAR until the end of the Mayan Era, the end of the Mayan Calendar, or the apocalypse  - depending on which camp you are in.

So, here's the question: Which camp ARE you in?  Leave us a comment with your thoughts!

[If anything, use it as a great excuse to start checking off the things on your bucket list!  After all, you really never truly know when your time ends!!]

To celebrate the end of -- whatever it's going to be the end of -- I've added a Countdown to December 21, 2012 Ticker to the right column of this blog's website.  We can track our demise together!

In the meantime, here's some interesting links to articles on the subject:

• Wikipedia's Succinct (as always) Summary of the Mayan Calendar
• Another Mayan Tablet Found That References December 21, 2012 Date
• Maya 2012: Guide to all of the 2012 activities in Mexico

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 Eliminates Tariffs on Many Chinese Goods

Photo Credit: Mexipreneur

Interesting.  Check out this article from Mexipreneur about Mexico reducing tariffs on Chinese Goods --- Tariffs that once ranged between 200-2000%.

Dragon Mart, anyone?



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.

Miami - Progresso Ferry Update

In the seemingly never-ending saga of the proposed Ferry that will travel from Miami, Florida to Progresso, Mexico --- Here is an article with the latest update. 



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 makes steps toward going green!

Several recent news articles have highlighted Mexico's recent efforts at going green.

Photo Credit: Hispanically Speaking News

Mexico’s President Felipe Calderón has announced a Sustainable Light Program.  Mexico is focused on reducing the country's overall energy consumption.  To this end, and as a part of the program, Mexico will begin to phase out higher energy light bulbs (incandescent and halogen).  Right now, it is offering a light bulb exchange program through the electric company CFE.  With your ID and most recent paid light bill, they will exchange -- without cost -- 4 incandescent bulbs with 4 compact fluorescent bulbs.  They project to replace over 23 million bulbs by the end of 2011.

The program not only helps its citizens reduce their energy bills, and the environment, it will also save the Mexican Government in the amount that they subsidize non-DAC electricity bills.

In other green news this week is the announcement that Mexico is #2, behind only Brazil, in the number of projects in Latin America funded through Carbon Credits via the Kyoto Treaty.

Wrapping up "green news":  Mexico has also announced a $500 million dollar investment by Baja Sun Energy SRL to produce solar energy.  This is Mexico's FIRST Solar Energy Company!

Way to Go Mexico!  Small Steps.  A Long Way to Go (**Ahem...Curbside Recycling**).  But Poco a Poco!!






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 Taxi Project

I was reading the latest edition of the Riviera Maya Report and came across this great article in the New York Times: "To Alter Perceptions, Mexico Uses Candid Chitchat".

Mexico is developing a new website, The Mexico Taxi Project,with its own YouTube Channel.  Check it out!  They candidly capture tourist returning from their latest Mexico adventure during their taxi ride home.  Pretty Cool Stuff!!



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.

Several Things

Got lots of little tidbits to share!  Enjoy!!

• This weekend marks the 6th year anniversary of Hurricane Wilma.  For those of us who toughed her out, we all have our stories to share.  CancunCanuck has been publishing people's stories.  They have been neat to read. 
  
  Where were you during Wilma?  What is your story?  We'd love to hear it!! Share it in the comments area!
  
  The remarkable thing is that 6 years out -- It's amazing the work, investment, and progress that has been made!

• Netflix is now in Mexico! [If you use this link, you can select "English" at the top of the page.]  No more needing a VPN service to watch movies!  Great solution for watching a little tube!

• The TweetUp event that was scheduled for last night was cancelled at the last minute.  Organizers have vowed to reschedule.  You know Twitter is a fickle thing...

• I came across this fun Puerto Morelos Wallpaper for your computer desktop.  A little piece of Puerto for wherever you are...

• Turns out my hometown is full of Mexican History.  I know we have a fabulous Mexican Town area, but am looking forward to visiting Motor City's new museum celebrating the Mexican roots of its citizens!

• I was recently invited to be a guest blogger for a great design blog, Threadesque!  How fun!!  Here's my contribution to sneaking my favorite Mexican Design Elements into a more traditionally designed home...

Josh, the kids, and I headed to Cancun's Market 23 yesterday.  It is overflowing the Day of the Dead goodies!!  It's my favorite time of year to be in the market!  We have all of the trimmings to make our altar for this year!  Stay tuned...



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 Announces a Ban on Shark and Stingray Fishing!

 

Mexico Today recently posted a link to the following New York Times editorial article.  The editorial mentions that Mexico has passed legislation that will ban the fishing of sharks and stingrays beginning in 2012.

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.