I never meant to end up in Mexico!  At least, it wasn’t in the grand scheme of things to do in my life.  But sometimes things don’t follow our best laid plans and it all works out just fine.  A couple of years ago, I had a steady practice in my native Virginia and was planning a vacation to Cartagena, Colombia.

I am one of those restless people.  I love my job as a nurse practitioner and taking care of people, so my vacations seldom live up to the idea of getting away from work.  As a result of my Cartagena vacation trip, I ended up writing my first book about medical tourism, and while there I got hooked on all things Latin American.

A year later, when my boss at the practice in Virginia announced to me that he was planning to retire from surgery, I knew that it was time to continue my Latin American journey.  I returned to Colombia, for six months this time, and wrote two more books.  My feelings were ambivalent about leaving when I returned to the United States, but I was, as always, ready and eager to get back to the business of taking care of people.  I was thrilled to find a position within my specialty that sounded ideal.  It was on the other side of the country from my Virginia home, but that didn’t seem like an enormous obstacle for a “dream job.”

Unfortunately, dreams are sometimes fantasy, and the job was a nightmare of the worst sort where naked ambition fostered overt hostility, back-biting office politics and a lot of career-destroying potential.  I was the seventh person in that position in just a few years time, and they never let me forget it.  But, the major drawback was that instead of being able to care for people, I was basically expected to “process” them and move on.

Processing people is not something I am able to do – it goes against my fundamental sense of decency and all the reasons I became a nurse in the first place.  So, no one was “processed” during my term at the facility, but I moved on, all right!  Previously, I had interviewed a surgeon in Mexicali, Mexico as part of the research for one of my writing projects, and from the first meeting, I was impressed with his drive, his compassion and his surgical skills.  When I found myself in that awful place, feeling trapped and hopeless – I reached out and asked for help.

I asked if I could study with him while I regained my bearings and healed from my disastrous experience.  Thankfully, he graciously agreed.  He has been my lifeline, along with my husband, as I make plans to return to school this fall to get my doctorate and to get back to my patients and the career I love so very much.

In the meantime, I am having a wonderful time improving my Spanish, rounding on my patients, and learning about the endemic thoracic diseases of northern Mexico, which differ quite a bit from what we see in Virginia.

Mexico and its people have been my saviors, and my time here has made me a better provider and a better person.  In return, I want to share my experiences so others can get a truer sense of Mexicali, and all that this beautiful country has to offer.

Part of the mission is to provide objective and unbiased information for potential medical travelers.  Kristin’s research has led to two publications on the medical services in Colombia.  At present, she is looking at facilities closer to home in Mexicali, Mexico, as she studies with a local thoracic surgeon.

A believer in transparency and objectivity, Kristin’s work is independent of outside organizations, physicians, facilities and is entirely self-funded with the exception of occasional financial gifts from her parents, who encourage and support her work.

She also invites questions and comments from interested readers through the “Contact Us” option at the top of the page.  She is also known as the “Traveling NP (Nurse Practitioner)” and maintains several blogs on both thoracic surgery, www.cirugiadetorax.org and general surgical information and travel at www.cartagenasurgery.wordpress.com.  Click here to download Kristin’s latest book on surgical tourism in Mexicali.

This is the first in the series on chest pain emergencies.  During this series we will talk about recognizing symptoms, where to go, what tests or treatments to expect, and what medications you may receive.

Detection of a problem.

The development of chest pain, or other abnormal sensations in the chest, should always be considered a potential medical emergency.  In medicine, we take these indications very seriously and consider them to be cardiac in nature, until proven otherwise.  It is critical that people be able to identify the possible signs and symptoms of chest pain emergencies so that they recognize the need to seek emergency medical attention.

Time is the enemy!

I cannot emphasize this enough!!  The best way to treat a heart attack is to prevent it, by treating the condition known as acute coronary syndrome (“ACS”) before it leads to a heart attack, or destroys cardiac tissue.  In cardiac conditions, just like with strokes, time is the enemy as we have only a short window to administer medications and treatments aimed at preserving heart muscle.

Acute Coronary Syndrome versus Heart Attack: What’s the difference?

I often use the following analogy when talking to my patients to explain the difference between ACS and heart attacks, and the treatments used for both.  Think of a houseplant you forgot to water before you went on vacation.  Now if your vacation is short, and you return soon enough, the soil may be dry, the leaves may be brittle, but the plant can be saved by watering it.  But if you head off to Europe, and when you return your plant is brown, shriveled and the leaves are crumbles; the plant has died, no amount of water is going to bring it back.  It’s the same with your heart.  If a patient presents early with symptoms caused by a lack of blood flow to the heart muscle, and we restore blood flow, the heart survives with minimal damage.  But if patients come to the hospital after having symptoms for hours or days, the area of the heart affected will be dead.  That area, depending on its size and location in the heart, determines whether the patient lives or dies.

What is “chest pain?”

The term, “chest pain” in itself is misleading, as many people, particularly women and diabetics do not experience the symptoms that that are typically depicted during a heart attack (“myocardial infarction”).  For this reason, these individuals have a greater likelihood of dying during a heart attack.  In fact, several studies show that despite new treatments, and faster interventions, two-thirds of women presenting with a heart attack will die from it.  When these people do present for medical assistance, because the symptoms are atypical, it is often several hours or even days after symptoms began.

Often, after visiting a doctor or emergency room, patients feel embarrassed and may minimize symptoms.  Do not be embarrassed.  You know your body – if you think that this “indigestion” feels different it’s important, so tell us.  In fact, we have a special name for these symptoms – we call them “chest pain equivalents.”

The classic symptoms of angina (chest pain) are:

–        Pain or pressure in the chest behind the breastbone.  It is often describes as “a weight on my chest.”

–        This sensation may radiate to the arms or jaw.

–        Sweating or clammy feeling.

–        Weakness or dizziness.

But I would like to add to the list, based on the experiences of my patients:

–        Reflux or indigestion symptoms, particularly when unrelated to recent food consumption, or different from previous experiences.

–        Nausea.

–        Numbness sensations in chest, arm, face, even the earlobes.

–        Fatigue (sudden onset).

–        Swelling of the feet (called edema).

–        Shortness-of-breath, which may be worsened by laying down.

–        Dyspnea on exertion – if you notice over the previous weeks or month that you can no longer do normal activities without becoming short-winded or fatigued, this is a very important symptom.

It is important to note, that the vast majority of patients I’ve treated had actually been experiencing symptoms on and off for several months, so let’s clarify indigestion symptoms, and remember, when in doubt – head to the hospital.   If pizza always gives you indigestion, but you haven’t eaten pizza, or it feels different from the indigestion from pizza, this may be angina or your chest pain equivalent.  People often tell me, “I thought I was just out of shape,” or “I was just getting old.”  Symptoms that develop over a course of weeks, or months, are not normal and are not a normal part of aging.

Timing of symptoms is important.

If your symptoms start with activity, i.e. you walk up stairs and start having heartburn symptoms, or your ear goes numb, or you feel nauseated when you go for a walk, this may be a sign that your heart is struggling rather than the onset of a digestive problem.  If these problems awaken you from sleep, be very concerned – this is one of the hallmark signs of an impending heart attack and is called, “angina at rest.”

But what if I get to the hospital and it is just heartburn?  Then I will feel silly.

Better silly than permanently disabled, or dead.  Try feeling lucky instead, since that’s what you are.  Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, so raising an alarm about chest pain is not silly – ever!  If doctors are able to rule out an acute coronary event, they will likely want to schedule you for some additional testing.  Just because your symptoms weren’t caused by “the big one” doesn’t mean that you don’t need to be screened for underlying cardiac disease to prevent future cardiac problems.

And if, the tests come back with normal results, it’s an excellent time to treat that indigestion that prompted you to see us in the first place!!

Next time, we will talk about where to go if you are experiencing these symptoms.

When you drive through Xico Viejo, Veracruz, a small town 25 miles from Xalapa, you would swear you had stepped back in time and into an “John Wayne western.  The narrow streets are tough to navigate with horses and burros tied to hitching posts along both sides. The trucks you see are reminiscent of small-town Anywhere, 60 years ago. There are caballeros with cigarettes hanging from their mouths, and a sombrero pulled down so low you can barely see their eyes watching your every move.  You can easily imagine them saying (if they spoke English), “You ain’t from around here, are ya?”

I am the only non-Mexican for miles so the stares and pointing almost becomes a frenzy in this tiny pueblo. Xico is known to have witches at night that chase young lovers. Maybe my wild red hair was thought to belong to a witch that came out a little early.

We were lucky to have a wonderful tour guide, a sister of R2’s amigo.  She was happy to show off the region and we drove to the spectacular, Cascada de Texolo waterfalls, where the 1984 Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner movie, Romancing the Stone, was filmed.

On route, we navigated winding roads with our windows open to savor the aroma of the coffee beans growing in the region.  Along the way, little children would try to entice us to buy their handmade trinkets, or their homemade coffee liquor, similar to Kuala.

We were impressed at the height and beauty of the waterfalls.  R2 and I were somewhat apprehensive to cross the bridge that would take us to the site.  It had been there since the early 1900s and looked like it had missed the last 50 years of structural maintenance. Fortunately, we decided to throw our fates to the wind, and as a result, hiked around the falls for a few hours.  At one point, we joined the locals and enjoyed splashing around in the cool stream under one of the smaller waterfalls.

There was only one restaurant in the area and you had to ascend even higher to reach this hidden gem.  We all wondered how they managed to supply provisions to the top of the mountain since it was not accessible by a motorized vehicle. The only explanation was burros laden with packs on their backs. We didn’t head to that eatery, though, because our guide had other plans for us.  She recommended a trout farm far up in the mountains that served fresh fish, cooked to your liking.

The wonderful Nissan “ghetto” rental navigated pot holes, boulders and steep cliffs like a trooper.  We followed a 1970s rusted beetle slowly up the mountain not sure we would complete this trek with all our hubcaps. We passed rustic haciendas and rancheros on their horses, but the best thing we passed was a small donkey tied to the fence that pointed us in the right direction.  As if by some mind-force he showed us the way to the farm but not with his eyes, his legs, or even his tail, for that matter.  We will refer to his skills as “Periscope Directions.” His periscope literally stood at full attention, shifted to the left and seemed to say to us, “Continue that way, weary travelers.”  While Chelli didn’t speak any English, we all knew what the donkey was telling us and our stomachs ached with laughter.

We finally reached the trout farm, and my comfort level flew out the window.  The restaurant was a small building with smoke billowing from the kitchen.  It was really for locals who had made the trip, with or without the burrito’s help, but that has never stopped us before.

The trout were crowded in small streams so they were easy pickings for lunch. The only fishermen were two-nine year old boys that were catching the fish with a net, plopping them on a bloodied table and bashing their brains out.  They gutted the fish, threw the innards to the dogs and ran the pieces to their mama in the restaurant.  R2 kept stressing, “Don’t look.” He is a lover of nearly alive sashimi so the fish frenzy didn’t seem to bother him in the least.

As R2 and our guide snacked on fried fish tails and the occasional eyeball, I wondered where the nearest mercado was for a bag of papitas and a cool cervesa. You can take the city slicker outta the city, but you can’t take the city outta this Canadian gal!

Read more about Layna’s world travels at http://laynainasia.blogspot.com

by Ron Burdine

After five days of driving from Denver, Colorado to Tulum, Mexico, I have arrived! What follows is a recap of the high and low-lights of an interesting drive through a beautiful country.

DAY 1: We (my brother-in-law, Rich, and I) left Denver at about 6 pm, and nearly made it to Amarillo, Texas.

DAY 2: The second day, our goal was Laredo, and the plan was to spend the night there.  We made it around 11 pm.  We stayed on the Texas side of the border, and double-checked the paperwork for crossing the following morning.

DAY 3:  We stopped off early before our crossing to get our Mexican auto insurance , driver added, and driver change was made as common sense dictated that Rich should do most of the driving.  Due to the jam-packed car, and the resultant inability to move the passenger seat back, Rich’s 6’ 5” frame forced his knees into the glove compartment.  If the airbags had deployed, he would have likely have ended up with a broken neck.  He had made no comment about it until three hours into the trip.  At that point, he drolly observed that we may have to hire a winch to pull him from the car as his knees were starting to lock up.

The entry into Mexico went much smoother than expected – a nice surprise!  The planning and paperwork done in advance proved to be a big help, as did the multiple copies I had of everything.

Right out of the chute, we got in the wrong line, but were directed to follow the numbered steps/lines 1-4.  Naturally, we went right to Line 4, bypassing the first three.  Line 1, show your tourist paperwork.  Line 2, copies.  We never figured out what the purpose of line 3 was – other than to tell you to go to 4.  Line 4, show your vehicle paperwork.

Jammed into the back of the car with the remainder of our disposed of belongings was my faithful dog, Yeller. Yeller was a big feller and this seemed to dissuade the border authorities of the necessity of checking to see if what we said we had in “those” boxes matched what was actually there.  Knowing that the big dog came out with the boxes, conferred complete veracity to our customs list as far as they were concerned.

And so, we crossed the border and started down our first Mexican highway to Monterey – number one of many toll roads.  We were asked to pull over at the 17 mile checkpoint where several very serious 19 year-old kids, wearing camouflage and wielding machine guns, proceeded to inspect the car.  They take customs inspections seriously in Mexico.  But, as it turned out, they never asked us to unpack much of anything, and they definitely did not want to see anything from the back that would require an off-load of “ol’ Yeller.”  Rich and I were both excited to clear that hurdle after hearing of three-day long border crossings caused by lack of paperwork, and/or the right permits.  High five – we were in!!

The road to Monterey was great – a nice four-lane toll road.  But, be aware that if you ever make the drive, you need to have lots of cash for the tolls.  We spent over $200 (and it’s up to $300 today) for the toll roads – you’d think they’d be paved in gold!

The problem with much of the Mexican highway system is that no one planned for the kind of traffic that a highway brings in, so they go right through the middle of town, and they get narrower as they go – like a funnel.  We made great time to Monterey, but once there, simply getting through the city took an hour and a half.  And, the traffic was brutal; bumper-to-bumper, with people randomly crossing the street.  Between trying not to get hit, trying not to hit pedestrians and making sure we were still on the right road, it was the epitome of a very stressful experience.

Our first wrong turn was made just southeast of Cuidad Victoria while trying to take a shortcut recommended by someone who has made the drive several times.  We wound up on a really cool road that wound its way through some rural areas, and ended up costing us about three hours.  But, it was so picturesque that we didn’t mind the detour. However, finding a place to stay overnight in the “middle of nowhere” was a challenge.

We finally found a Pemex station about the time it got dark, but the nearest hotel was an hour farther down the road.

For the most part, we followed the rule of not driving at night.  When we told a local we were thinking about trying to make Tampico that night, he strongly advised against it because of banditos on the two lane roads after dark.  As a result, we ended up in a charming little town called Aldama. We got a cheap, clean room, and ate tacos at the palapa on the corner . . . $11 bucks for the two of us, including the tip, and it was great food!!

DAY 4: For some reason, Rich and I had the idea that we could make Chetumal today, albeit with a late arrival, followed by a leisurely day driving up the Caribbean coast on Sunday. In hindsight, this almost looks delusional.  After getting to Tampico on a two-lane highway which had been a pretty good road, we re-entered the funnel and spent an hour or trying to get through it.  We finally made it through, found the right road and paid our toll.

Note to self:  Just because you pay a high road toll does not mean the road is good!!  This was to be our first experience with a really bad Mexican road.  It began, initially, with two lanes, but shortly thereafter culled itself into a single lane with random potholes of all sizes everywhere.  After a couple hundred miles of this, we finally made it to Tuxpan – also known as the “vortex.”  Here, we cleverly avoided “Centro” believing we had found the bypass, but ended up doing a complete loop of the city which brought us back to our starting point.  Wheee . . . that was fun!

Eventually, we found the road to Veracruz, a great road for almost the entire first half, but which then disintegrated into a construction and pothole-ridden obstacle course – a condition that was rapidly becoming the norm for the second half of our trip.

Veracruz was surprisingly easy to get through.  They actually put the highway around the main part of town. Tres unique!!  Our working hypothesis was to get to the south end of Veracruz, find a hotel and call it a night – it was getting dark.  We were cruising once again, had a nice four-lane highway and were making good time.  But, where were the hotels?!!  No exits,  just open highway at night.  We drove on (there were no other clear options at this point) hoping to see some sign of life, and after only 70 miles, spied a sign indicating a major junction and a Pemex coming up.  Excellent!!  Another concern was that the fuel was running low.  We pulled in and found the Pemex closed!!  So, here we would spend the night. Okay, we’re flexible.  Unfortunately, there were only two hotels and neither was a four-star option, or any star, for that matter.  We chose what appeared to be the better of the two, and again, ate with the local roadside taco vendor – once again getting good food at a bargain price.

The hotel was another story altogether.  We both slept in our clothes and skipped showers in the morning for sanitary reasons – those being that we were better off grubby than compromising our immune systems.  It took me a mere three hours that night to fall asleep because I kept picturing clearly in my mind what showed murkily below the see-through sheets.  I just kept telling myself, “You’re camping!!  You’re just camping.  You’ve done it before.  You have slept in the dirt.  Relax . . .”  Yeah, right!  We were so thankful to get back in the car that morning that we got a very early start!  Even Yeller seemed “excited” to get back into the kennel!  It had been a really rough night.

DAY 5:  Because of our early start, light traffic and, once again, good roads, we made great time and Chetumal was finally in sight.  We made it to the Chetumal by-pass around 8 pm, and decided to stay in Bacalar rather than trying the drive at night. Working hypothesis adjustment #36 – Monday would be the casual drive day.

We found a cabana-type place to stay with an American woman host who was quite the raconteur.  Luckily, she had been drinking that night and we were able to convince her that Yeller was a good risk.  He loved the place which was right on the beautiful Bacalar lagoon.

DAY 6:  We made an out-of-the-way stop at Mahahual, to see the damage done by hurricane Dean.  Mother Nature can be intimidating, and occasionally tweaks the human psyche regarding the importance and power of humans on planet Earth.  Dean was one of her tweaks.  It is very humbling to see two steel beams twisted like pretzels and bowed to the ground.

However, since humans are not given to humility for extended periods of time, we soldiered on and made Tulum about 1:30 pm.  Awl Right!!!  Yessssss!  Hooray!  Whoot, whoot!!  We did it!  High five!  Who’s da man, I mean, men?!!

We capped the trip by immediately heading to the beach to pay homage to Mother Nature!

[singlepic id=530 w=300 h=225 float=left]Try as I may, I cannot pinpoint my favorite “neck of the woods” in Mexico. I have traveled throughout eleven states, to many pueblos, colonial cities and, of course, the astonishing beaches. I have melted at the remarkable beauty of the turquoise Caribbean waters, toured the Sea of Cortes in Baja, jumped waves in the Pacific and frolicked in the blue-green Gulf of Mexico.  All of these regions of Mexico are unique and enchanting.

My husband and I are seriously flirting with the notion of living in Mexico, once this Asian stint we are on is over.  Our dilemma, we can’t pin down the one location to put down roots.  That isn’t necessarily a bad problem to have, and I know we will live it up while searching for that perfect spot to finally call “nuestra casa.” [singlepic id=531 w=300 h=225 float=right]

For the exorbitant amount we shell out in rent each month in Singapore, we could live in a massive villa with the help included.  Our needs are not so extravagant, and we know, from experience, living comfortably in Mexico is an easily attainable reality, where as living in Asia, it is beyond our means.

The tourists that think Mexico is just sun, sand and beach are missing plenty from this amazing country. I hate to admit it, but I was one of them until I married R2.  My love affair with Mexico began for me when I was still a teenager. Like many foreigners, I would fly to a beach, hang out for a couple of weeks and return to Canada with a glorious tan, a wicked tequila hangover and an immediate need for a liver transplant upon return.

[singlepic id=532 w=320 h=240 float=left]I was extraordinarily lucky that R2 saved me from this total misapprehension of his country, by introducing me to grutas (grottos), volcanoes, canyons, pueblos and pyramids, some of which are among the designated thirty plus “UNESCO Heritage” sites in the country.

When is the last time you saw a tree (El Arbol del Tule) that spans 33 feet in diameter, is over 2,000 years old, and thought to be the oldest tree in the world today?  Have you taken the time to meander through Las Grutas de Cacahuamilpa? These grottos are famous for their incomparable beauty and have fascinating stalactite and stalagmite formations that go on for miles making it one of the largest cave networks in the world.

[singlepic id=534 w=300 h=225 float=right]But, even better than the tour sites, are the people of Mexico. Of the 22 countries in which I have traveled, I have never found a people of any other culture that can match the friendliness, courtesy and kind consideration that I have found in this country.  While initially, the people are shy of us, they warm up quickly once they realize how much we love to be in their country.  R2 is frequently not recognized as a Mexican, perhaps because he has traveled the world so much and hasn’t lived there for almost two decades. But, when people realize he is “one of them,” they ask where he is from and want to know all about him, as if they are welcoming the “prodigal” son home.

[singlepic id=529 w=320 h=240 float=left]We will continue to research our home-away-from-home from the island known as “The Little Red Dot”,   And, while we have beaches, tropical palms and endless summers, there are many things about Singapore that are NOT Mexico. So, when I go to the beach here, I long for the perfect playas and the clear Caribbean ocean in Tulum.  When I see the Buddhist shrines and temples, I miss the churches of Puebla. When I stop for some roadside food at a hawker station in Singy, I yearn for a taco stand that serves up hot and spicy fish tacos on the way to Cuernavaca.

Until we return, we will continue to fly our Canadian and Mexican banderas (flags) from our penthouse balcony, so we can show our pride in our missing homelands.

Read more about Layna’s world travels at http://laynainasia.blogspot.com

To cover catastrophic illness or accidents, many expats purchase international major medical health insurance.

North Americans have been coming to Mexico for decades to get drug prescriptions, dental work or other medical treatments done for much less than what they would pay in the U.S., even without insurance.  Because domestic health care policies do not provide coverage internationally, these treatments are paid for out of pocket.

One reason Mexico is able to keep their treatment costs down are fewer malpractice suits.  Mexico is not the litigation-happy country the U.S. is.  Malpractice insurance is extremely expensive for U.S. doctors and that cost is passed along to the patient.

For expats moving to Mexico, it’s possible to receive international health insurance.  Although doctor visits and prescription drugs are inexpensive, hospital care is still going to cost you possibly more than you can afford without health insurance.   Nobody expects to visit the emergency room due to a critical injury or illness, and these costs can still deplete a savings account or max a credit card.  A broken leg could cost nearly $15,000.00 if you need surgery, and hospitals expect payment before treatment.

Mexico delivers quality health care and has trained doctors and surgeons.  The costs are much less than in the U.S. but you should still purchase international, major medical health insurance if you are planning on moving to Mexico.

Adult wellness visits such as yearly check ups and lab work are inexpensive treatments and not included in the catastrophic illness or accident policies.  It’s the unexpected visits to the emergency room or long term medical care you need international health insurance to help pay for.

Renting a place first is always a good idea. What you are expecting and the reality of life once you are on the ground and living day-to-day are going to be different.  In some cases, the surprises will be pleasant and in others they will be disappointing.

The point is, it’s a good idea to test the waters before you make the long-term commitment.  Many people simply rent in Mexico which gives them the freedom to change their minds, to try someplace new, or to return home.

Or, if you have made up your mind, you can also just dive in!

We had been visiting the Yucatan for 15 years of vacations, a couple of times a year. Over those years the vacations became more adventurous and exploratory, we fell in love with the Caribbean.  Soooo, we had a pretty good idea of what to expect . . . at least we thought we did.

We were definitely not prepared for some of the challenges! Ultimately everything worked out well with our Tulum Real Estate investment and we are very happy with our choice and ultimately got what we paid for. BUT, buying real estate or building in Mexico is not a “cakewalk” and we want you to have the most complete information in order to ensure your Mexico adventure is a successful one!

Ready to Buy in Mexico?

First, let me dispel a couple myths about property ownership in Mexico: The most common one being…“Foreigners cannot own property in Mexico” or “Foreigners can only get property through a 50 year trust.”

Both of those statements are false but the laws defining foreign investment in Mexico often lead to this confusion.

The Mexican Constitution states that no foreigner may own land within the restricted zones in Mexico. The restricted zones for foreign investment are within 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) of the border, or 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) from any Mexican coastline.  However, a foreigner may own property outright with legal title of any part of the interior of Mexico not included within those restricted zones.

Owning Mexico Real Estate Through a Trust or “Fideicomiso”

Now, we all probably have friends, or friends of friends, that have a place in Mexico that is within one of the restricted zones, the beach house or condo, the jungle retreat or the hacienda overlooking the sea.  How did they do that?

In 1997 Mexico amended their Constitution to encourage foreign investment which opened up some options.

There are now two options.  The first is the above-mentioned “50 year trust” or “Fideicomiso (FEE-DAY-E-CO-ME-SO).”  You buy the property and the bank holds the title in a trust in which you and your heirs are the beneficiary.  The Fideicomiso grants all rights and privileges of ownership including sale of the property, building, improvements and transfer of ownership or beneficiary, and it can also be renewed by you or your heirs for another 50 year term.  This is the most common method used by foreigners acquiring property in Mexico, and is the recommended way to do it if you don’t plan to work in Mexico and are going to own just one home.  The trust set-up fee is a percentage of the property value at time of purchase, and monthly fees run $50-$100 per month, though most are closer to the $50 part of the range.

In May of 2013, the lower house of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies  approved legislation which would have amended the Mexican Constitution to permit  foreigners to purchase property outright in Mexico’s Restricted Zones.  This change would have meant doing away with the Mexican bank trust, or Fideicomiso.

In early 2014, this initiative was rejected according to a report from the Secretary of Government as a result of not continuing with the amendment procedure within the time frame permitted under Article 89, number 2, Section III of the Rules of the Chamber of Deputies.   However, the initiative may be re-opened in the future.

Create a Mexican Company to hold your Real Estate

The alternative way to own property within Mexico’s restricted zones is by forming a Mexican corporation.  The corporation must be wholly owned by foreigners (you can have partners) and you are subject to all rights and responsibilities of business ownership in Mexico.  In this kind of a set-up, the Mexican corporation actually owns the property and it is carried on the balance sheet as a company asset.  This is an interesting loop-hole in the Mexican Constitution but it makes sense if the goal is to stimulate long term foreign investment.  Many of the beach resorts you see in Mexico are owned by foreign holding companies.  This is a good route to go if you plan to own more than one property or are considering starting or moving a business to Mexico.

The set-up fees for creating a Mexican corporation can range from $1500 to over $5000, depending on your region and company structure.  You will be required to make monthly tax filings which require a Mexican accountant.  Even if you make zero every month, you still have to file.  Basic accounting services with low volume should be around $50 per month.  There are some legal nuances related to scope of business and structure in having a Mexican corporation; therefore, we highly recommend having a good attorney to walk you through the process.

Use a licensed Mexico Realtor Broker or Buyers Agent

There are some things you need to be diligent about in the buying process.  The first thing you will want to do is to find a good Realtor.   One that has been recommended is ideal, but if you don’t have a referral, do your homework and be very selective in your choice.  See what you can find out about that particular office on-line, connect with expats in the area, in many cases they have been through the scenario and will be a good source for more than just a Realtor tip.  Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by going with a known “brand name” real estate office – many are great, but the laws in Mexico are very different from the US and Canada, and agents here do not suffer the same consequences, if something goes wrong.  Shop the people, not the brand.

Get a recommended attorney from a trusted source.

You need a good attorney – again recommendations are a key here.  We hear stories of bad attorneys in Mexico even more than we hear them in the US!  It is very important to have an attorney guide you through the buying process.  It’s totally unlike the process in the US and Canada.  Like in the States and Canada, there are a number of parties involved in a real estate transaction – the seller, the buyer, the bank, the real estate agent(s), the Notario, a title company if you want title insurance, and attorneys for both buyer and seller.  Notarios in Mexico are the keepers of the public record and are generally held in higher regard than attorneys.  Most are attorneys that became Notarios.

Do your homework, or make sure your attorney or title company does, when it comes to the title for your property.  If you get title insurance, they handle that for you . . . after all they are the ones that will pay if something isn’t right in the future!  Just make sure you have clean title, free of liens and other claims.

Financing

Generally, most real estate purchases are done in cash.  If you are purchasing a place that is already built, you will pay in full.

If you are purchasing a pre-built unit, installment payments are the norm. Expect to make  a deposit followed by development progress payments.  Word to the wise:  Verify progress before you send the next payment.  If you cannot make a site visit, at the minimum, I highly recommend pictures or video by more than just the builder or Realtor.  The problem with pictures or video is that you may not be able to tell if it’s your unit they are taking pictures of and you will not be able to turn on faucets or flip light switches.

If you do not have all the cash upfront available, some Realtors may have connections with financial institutions who may be able to help you complete your financing.  Mexican banks are now beginning to offer mortgage products although significant deposits are required and interest rates are not as attractive as those in the US, Canada and Europe.</p

Financing is also available from some specialist US based mortgage companies which may be able to help.

Title Insurance

Title Insurance is available in Mexico which will check for liens associated with it as well as if it is “ejido” property.  Rates for Title Insurance are around $5.00 US Dollars per $1,000.00 US Dollars of the property’s value payable once at the time of purchase.  There are a number if insurance companies which now offer Title Insurance for Mexican property and, as the number of providers increase, rates are becoming more competitive.

What is Ejido Land?

Ejido land is agricultural land is similar to reservation land in the U.S.  After the 1910 revolution, communities and peasants were handed strips of land to grow crops and live on.   Ejidos are usually owned by a community of local people and the land is passed down from generation to generation within the communities which own the parcels.

You can buy ejido land but the sale requires the agreement of the whole community that ‘owns’ it. Therefore, you are never quite sure you are talking to the correct person who has the authority to make the transaction.  This is where it is CRITICAL to know your Realtor and insist upon a title search and title insurance BEFORE money is exchanged.

Purchasing ejido land takes longer and can be more expensive due to the need of a legal team. There are firms now which specialize in this area of property law and have a good track record of transferring land from ejido into private ownership.

Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance is now available in Mexico as well.  Historically, the policies have not been worth purchasing, but with more and more people investing in Mexico, policy performance is swiftly catching up to the U.S. or Canadian standards.

We work specifically with Ace Seguros.  Ace Seguros offers all-risk, American style, Mexican home, condominium and townhouse insurance, as well as Renters Liability insurance.  If you rent out your home, condominium or townhouse, our policies includes Renter’s Liability coverage at no additional charge.

I recall my first few months in Mexico as being filled with excitement, wonderment, confusion and an avalanche of culture shock. Most gringos go through this same period of adjustment. Some people can deal with the changes and some cannot. Those who adapt find a wonderful home here! And, those who don’t, are often carried out babbling to themselves!

During your “adjustment period” in Mexico, you should be prepared for things to not happen like they do in the US or Canada. Your focus should be that great tip for sanity (particularly when dealing with bureaucratic red-tape): Truly make an effort to appreciate the differences instead of complaining about them – we’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto! Keep your sense of humor handy, your patience at the ready and learn to endure the bad and embrace the good.

I’d like to speak from personal experience now, and share some wisdom that I’ve garnered as a “gringo.” The idea of service in Mexico is not the same as it is in the US or Canada. In fact, a real “customer service” concept here is noticeable by its absence. However, Mexicans, in general, see themselves as service-oriented, eager to please, and sometimes they are. An example – if you ask a Mexican if he/she can do something, the answer 99.9% of the time will be “yes.” This includes projects like nuclear physics, building rocket ships and solving the mysteries of the universe . . . they will agree to do anything, because they simply cannot say “no!” Ability and qualifications to accomplish the task are just not considered to be necessary ingredients.

Another concept to always keep in mind is that, contrary to what most gringos think, “mañana” does NOT mean tomorrow. It’s more of a vague idea of “some day in the future.” Keep that in mind when someone tells you, “mañana!” Also, bear in mind that you typically have limited resources and back up when it comes to having a handy man, plumber, electrician, carpenter or other service person do a job for you. You won’t have the phonebook, or internet listings, to fall back on when someone doesn’t show up. Be patient, and when you find a good one hang on to them.

“Saving face” is very important here. The typical “assertive American” routine of getting angry and frustrated will only lead to abandonment. If you must make a point, do in private, do it calmly (actually it won’t hurt to apologize for burdening them) and never in front of subordinates or family members. What I have personally learned to do is just put things “out there” for the projects I need done and know that in time, it will get done . . . it always does, but it probably won’t be on your clock. The clock being used belongs to the people you are dealing with, and believe it, anything can reorder their priorities – with your needs most likely being way down their list.

You’ll develop your own expectations and working relationships as you go. I don’t make appointments in Mexico anymore. If someone tells me they will be at my house for a project or delivery, I simply say “great, here’s my number, call me when you arrive, or are close.” This has saved me countless hours and degrees of aggravation. In the beginning, there was frustration that I held on to for months – I expected them to be on MY time! “I’m an American, damn it!!” came out of my mouth too many times – I am embarrassed to admit that, now. I am sure there were plenty of “stupid gringo” comments along the way . . . which I deserved.

But, all in all, it’s a wonderful life in Mexico and learning to be patient has been an important part of my personal growth. I am, honestly, a better person because of my time in Mexico! My wife and I cannot complain with a beautiful home that cost one-third to one-half what we would have paid back in Colorado – and it’s paid off and on the Caribbean. Fresh fish and produce are abundant. Cat and I live in a small town called Tulum about an hour and a half south of Cancun. The people and the place are simply put, magical. And the connection we have with the community and nature is something we never take for granted. We live in paradise and are lucky enough to have a business that allows us to do that.

Yes, life in Mexico is a very good life for us. And, I have no doubt that with a few changes in your expectations, you can make it happen for you, too!