The Best Spots to Buy Vacation Homes in Mexico

One of Mexico’s most popular destinations, the Riviera Maya continues to boom despite fluctuating global markets and scary news stories about Mexico’s drug trafficking problems. Not only will you find an international crowd, you will also find some long-timers, who can tell you about Tulum when it was just fishing shacks and palapa bars. The weather is perfect, the views phenomenal, and the amenities, like dining and entertainment, just keep getting better year after year.

Still one of the most popular places to retire in Mexico, San Miguel has a semi-arid climate, incredible restaurants and lots of history, with cobblestone streets, annual festivals and regional crafts from around the country. Prices are steep in town, but there are still deals to be had just outside of the Centro Historico.

Merida is one of Mexico’s safest cities and also a deliciously sultry and beautiful place. In a town known for its hammock trade, how could anything feel rushed or hurried? Merida is a unique combination of various waves of immigrants to Mexico, and has some excellent regional food, as well as colonial architecture that will transport you back in time.

Unlike the sprawling, modern resort complexes of other parts of the Mexican coast, Mazatlán is known as a historic port dating back to the 1800s. It’s also the birthplace of Pacifico beer and abounds with excellent seafood. Here you’ll also find world-class golf and luxury home complexes, if that’s your dream vacation.

Another location with an excellent climate (although the humidity amps up quite a bit in the summer) Puerto Vallarta has one of the largest ex-pat communities in Mexico and the town offers coworking spaces, craft beer, and gourmet food from around the world. In and around Puerto Vallarta (think Punta Mita, San Francisco and Sayulita) there are also large foreign communities that support yoga studios, organic coffee shops and stylish bars and restaurants, with the sun and surf to remind you every day that you live in paradise.

A bustling second city to Mexico’s capital, Guadalajara has a lot going for it these days, including not being as pricey as some of Mexico’s most exotic locales. It’s bursting with gourmet food and delicious, local craft beer. Close to the beach, the capital, and to the birthplace of tequila, Guadalajara makes a great base for seeing the entire country.