Mexico Investment Bright

Mexico plans to invest $91.2 billion USD in power over the next 4 years, according to a recent new report from the government energy ministry, SENER.

Of the bright new Mexico investment, 49% will go to generation, 20.1% to the distribution sector, 18.5% to the transmission sector, 11.6% to maintenance and 0.8% to "other" investments.

The recently released 2009-24 forecast breaks down the massive Mexico investment in the energy sector and highlights the emphasis on renewable energy. SENER says renewable generation, which includes hydroelectric plants with less than 30MW capacity, is targetted to rise to 7.7% by 2012.

In a move to improve the planning of energy in Mexico, the SENER forecast looked 15 years ahead for the first time, previous forecasts covered only 10 years.

Despite the international economic squeeze cutting the government's budget they have still pushed through an impressive package of investment on infrastructure, gas and renewable energy.

Infrastructure projects are focussing on the major routes and tourism areas in order to boost local economies and real estate markets too.

As the year draws to a close, Mexico investment is a rising star. 2010 looks bright.

Prime Port Property: Manzanillo Real Estate

Nestled along the golden Mexican Pacific coast of Colima lays Manzanillo, known as the sailfish capital of the world, with its perfectly warm beach weather and an abundant array of attractions that will truly awaken your senses.

Manzanillo real estate is arranged around two large twin bays: Manzanillo and Santiago, offering exotic sunsets and chic resorts, many depicting a Mediterranean-Moorish style full of iconic history, offering an appealing and unique flare.

Barra de Navidad real estate, Costalegre real estate and Melaque real estate are three of the most popular local property markets today.

Manzanillo is also well-known for having the largest and busiest port in Western Mexico, which also receives international cruise ships annually. Those arriving by cruise can explore its boardwalk and historic downtown located just 10 minutes south of Manzanillo Bay.

A short walk downtown from most Manzanillo real estate, visitors can admire the iconic Sailfish Monument, the famous dancing fountain moving to the beat of traditional Mexican music, and enjoy the local gastronomy, shops and cafes.

Guests or owners of Manzanillo real estate will find activities that will satisfy any desire, from family fun, to romance, to meetings and conventions, various aquatic sports such as scuba diving, deep sea fishing, and snorkeling, to yacht rentals at Las Hadas, horseback rides, ecotourism outings, camping, and ATVs- to name a few. Golf aficionados will enjoy three world-class golf courses, some of which are surrounded by lagoons and mountains, and offer an ocean view. In February, visitors can take part in the National Sailfish tournament.

There is much hidden history in Manzanillo, from being a popular destination for Mediterranean royalty, to the infamous filming of the romantic comedy "10" with Bo Derek and Dudley Moore back in the late 70's.

Other attractions to consider are visits to the state capital of Colima, the Magical Town of Comala, Isla de Navidad, or the Museum of renowned artist Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo.

Visit our destinations pages to find out more about Manzanillo real estate.

UBS To Advise On Tulum Airport

El Universal newspaper reported, last week, that international investment bankers, UBS, will be acting as financial advisers on the new Tulum airport project in the Riviera Maya.

The Mexican daily's respected columnist, Alberto Aguilar, wrote that everything is ready to launch the Tulum airport bidding process in January and advisers have been chosen, including UBS, as financial advisers, and Mexican bank, Banobras, as the "assigned agent".

Although Aguilar didn't name his sources, the detail of the information in his column suggests he has reliable contacts that are closely involved in the project.

Aguilar said the Tulum airport land is all agreed (as previously reported by us), local concerns have been overcome and go ahead has been given from INAH (Mexico's archaelogy authority).

The article pointed out that it still remains to be seen if the Federal Competition (Anti Trust) Commission will allow the owner/operator of Cancun airport, ASUR, to bid, and that this will be a "tricky" decision for the Commission that could leave the way open for new players.

Aguilar suggests that private equity firm, Advent, will show interest in bidding, along with two other established Mexican airport operators - GAP (Pacific airports) and OMA (North Central airports).

Although the bidding process was expected to be launched this year, difficult financial markets and technical delays had caused the timetable to slip.

However, the launch of the bidding process for the new Tulum airport now looks certain for the New Year and 2010 will be a big year for Tulum.

Visit our destination information pages for more about Tulum airport.

Tulum Land And Beach Access Opens Up

Major improvements to Tulum's infrastructure took another step forward, this week, with the resurfacing of the Kulkulkan road, a new route connecting the main highway with prime Tulum land and beaches.

The road improvements make Tulum land along the southern beach strip more accessible.

The latest investment forms part of the authorities' fast-moving plans to develop the area in a convenient, responsible and environmentally sustainable manner.

The newly tarmacked road lies south of the existing one and will be a main artery through the "Kulkulkan Region".

Much of this zone is still undeveloped and offers many opportunities for investors looking to buy into Tulum land and other real estate projects.

The road runs along one side of the Aldea Zama project and connects Tulum town to the coast and some of the area's most pristine Caribbean white sand beaches.

Visit our destination pages to find out more about the area and investment opportunities in Tulum land.

Nayarit Real Estate Gets Ready For Regatta

Organizers announced, yesterday, that the "Bicentennial Edition" Mexico Cup Regatta will take place in Riviera Nayarit in 2010, as part of celebrations to mark the 200th anniverary of Mexico's independence and the passing of 100 years since the Mexican Revolution.

The world class sailing race, being held February 27th to March 13th 2010, will be used to promote Mexico and Nayarit real estate as destinations for sail and sport fishing, while at the same time, promote the country’s tourism attractions on a national and international level.

Mexico's tourism board said, "The Mexico Cup Regatta will set international standards for sailing competitions, generating important benefits for the country’s tourism promotion and will also have an important impact within the international nautical community."

Nayarit real estate, on Mexico's Pacific coast, has long been popular with yachtsman and watersports enthusiasts. A combination of great climate, consistent winds and breathtaking views make it one of the most beautiful places in the world to ride the ocean waves.

More than 1,500 athletes and support staff will flock to the Riviera Nayarit real estate area to help make the event a success, said organizers, they hope to make it one of the most successful events on the nautical calendar, up there with the America’s Cup, Copa del Rey, Volvo Ocean Race and Rolex Cup Racing.

Authorities and organizations involved in bringing the event to the coast of Nayarit real estate include Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism, the Navy, the State of Nayarit, the Mexico Tourism Board, Fonatur, (Mexico's National Trust for the Promotion of Tourism) and the Mexican Sailing Association will head the official “Bicentennial Edition” of the Mexico Cup Regatta.

To find out more about the area and where you could stay or buy property with the best views of the regatta, visit our destination page for Nayarit real estate.

Mexico Investment: Slim Says Time Is Right

Mexico investment and telecommunications tycoon, Carlos Slim, said this week that now is "the moment to invest" in Mexico.

Slim -- the world's third-wealthiest man, according to Forbes magazine -- praised the Mexican government's economic policies and said the favorable exchange rate, low interest rates and promotion of fiscal stability, all add up to make for a great opportunity to invest in Mexico.

On the sidelines of an art event in Mexico City, the 69 year old Mexican billionaire, said, "In this situation, the company that invests gets stronger than the company that does not invest ... I don’t have a doubt it's the moment to invest."

Slim's comments come at the end of a year that has already seen a raft of foreign businesses commit billions in Mexico and he explained that the central bank's all time low interest rate has increased the availability of cheap credit.

This, coupled with the weaker peso, helps exporters, making Mexico investment extremely attractive.

The interest rate has been maintained at a record low of 4.5 percent for four months by the Mexican central bank, as the government seeks to encourage Mexico investment and growth without driving up inflation.

The Mexican peso has also dropped 16 percent against the US dollar in the past two years, making goods manufactured in Mexico and exported to the U.S. much cheaper.

Equally, real estate in Mexico offers excellent investment opportunities right now too, as you will see from our 10 reasons to buy Mexico real estate in 2010. If you'd like to find out more on how you can make money from the property market here check out our advice on Mexico investment.

Mexico Mortgage Growth To Ignite Property Market

As Mexico's economy bounces back from recession it looks like growth in Mexico mortgage loans is set to ignite the real estate market.

Last month, the federal government-backed mortgage agency, Infonavit, sold almost $200 million of mortgage-based securities through financial markets. The sale attracted foreign buyers: a sign that confidence in Mexico real estate is high.

Following on from that news, Enrique Zorrilla, a top Citigroup banker, told the Wall Street Journal yesterday that Mexican bank loans will grow at a faster rate than the economy, with Mexico mortgage and commercial lending being the main contributors.

The extra liquidity and positive psychological effects of the increased Mexico mortgage lending are expected to give the already buoyant Mexican property market a significant extra boost.

As an abundance of foreign investors and businesses line up to invest in Mexico -- from Marriott hotels, to IBM computers, to Electrolux household appliances -- it stands to reason that more multinational cash will find its way into real estate too.

Add to this the boom in Mexico mortgage loans and it's clear conditions are right to spark an explosion in property buying.

Demand will start to overwhelm supply, say Mexico real estate professionals, and sharp growth in property prices can be expected over the coming years.

The rise is predicted to affect the commerical markets to begin with but this will quickly overflow into the residential and vacation home markets too.

For the savvy investor looking for a secure haven with high returns, the opportunities in Mexico are now many.

Take a look at our Mexico finance pages for more about investment properties and Mexico mortgages.

Mexico Health Care Answer For U.S. Reforms?

As the health care reform debate rages in the Senate to the north, many U.S. baby-boomers south of the border have already found their solution for quality, affordable medical treatment.

A recent article from Time magazine pointed to the trend of Americans moving to Mexico, not just to relax in the sun, but also to take advantage of Mexico health care.

Paul Crist, an expat resort owner in Puerto Vallarta, told the news magazine that covering medical treatment in Mexico could save Medicare almost a quarter of the average cost for most procedures. "My research, as well as the research of others, shows that health care in Mexico costs less than a third of that in the U.S.", he said.

It's a great solution, but, despite the benefits, Medicare does not currently cover treatment in Mexico. Crist told Time this means many Medicare-eligible expats living in Mexico are forced to travel back to the U.S. for medical treatment, even though they have paid into the system during their working lives.

Time quoted examples of Mexico health care costs compared with those in the U.S. from various studies and reliable sources: a doctor's office visit or house call costs only $25 to $40 in Mexico; a hip replacement costs $12,000 with Mexico health care compared with $43,000 and $63,000 in the U.S.; and a coronary bypass in Mexico costs an average of $21,000 compared to $149,000 in the U.S. - savings and quality treatment that could be enough to make anyone feel fit again.

As the health debate continues, expect to hear more about the benefits of allowing Medicare to cover Mexico health care. Although there may be opposition from some U.S. health care industry groups, expats south of the border support the idea (about 200,000 of the 1 million U.S. citizens living in Mexico are thought to be Medicare-eligible) as well as others who see the common sense savings that can be made by using Mexico health care where convenient.

As Crist told Time, "The opportunity to provide services to Americans at much lower cost outside the U.S. border is enormous. This is pushing even private insurers to explore coverage options outside of the U.S., and Medicare will certainly be a part of this globalization, sooner or later."

In the meantime, expect the tide of Americans moving south of the border to continue. Whether vacation home owners or retirees, whether Medicare users or not, one of the top reasons for people to move south will continue to be the economical benefit of high quality Mexico health care.

Visit our website advice pages for more about living in Mexico or Mexico health care.

Marriott's Mexico Investment To Treble Hotels

Leading US hotel chain, Marriott International, said yesterday it will treble the number of hotels it has in Mexico over the next 10 years, according to a report in the Washington Post.

The hotelier's Mexico investment is in partnership with Mexico real estate company Pulso Hotelero and follows the announcement in October of another investment in Mexico by competitor, Holiday Inn for 48 new hotels.

Marriott told the Washington daily that access to capital can be easier in Mexico than in the United States and that they were looking to exploit demand there and in other emerging market economies.

The Mexico investment agreement with Pulso Hotelero will see them open 36 mid-priced Fairfield Inn brand properties beginning in 2011, increasing threefold the number of Marriott brand hotels in Mexico from 19 to 57.

Spokesperson for Marriott, Catherine Leitner, told the newspaper, "We found this is the right product for the right market at the right time. Within Mexico, travelers are looking for something that fits in with this moderately-priced category."

The new hotels will work under long-term franchise agreements and the expansion will start with two hotels in Cabo San Lucas and Guadalajara, with 120 rooms and 139 rooms respectively. Room prices are expected to be between $77 and $118 per night.

Marriott International has more than 3,200 lodging properties in 67 countries and territories. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland and has approximately 146,000 employees.