Two articles about Mexico were featured in Canada's Globe and Mail.

On November 12, an article entitled "Mexico is no longer risky business" gave a positive side to the story regarding how Mexico a long ways to streamlining red tape for establishing a business in Mexico.

Mexico, still reeling from the effects of the recession and persistent negative headlines about drug violence, has received a gold star from the World Bank, showing there is a lot more to this country than gun battles and the occasional beheading. Worldwide, Mexico was ranked 35th of 183 countries, easily beating out Spain and Italy.

Mexico, a country of 110 million and Canada's third largest trading partner, won high marks for its launch of an online one-stop shop for initiating business registration, improved construction permitting and increased options for online payments of taxes.

It takes nine days to start a business in Mexico, compared with 120 in Brazil, and 141 in Venezuela. While Mexican firms spend 404 hours a year paying taxes, Brazilian companies spend 2,600 hours engaged in the same task. It takes four times the number of days to deal with construction permits in Brazil than in Mexico. To be sure, Mexico still faces many structural economic challenges, including the need to dismantle powerful interest groups and monopolies. But the country deserves credit for using technology to reform a once-cumbersome bureaucracy, and to make it easier to do business on the ground than almost anywhere else in the region.

And on the following day, another article:

The drug violence that has plagued Mexico since the country began its crackdown on cartels six years ago, and unsolved killings like that of Canadian businessman Daniel Dion, undoubtedly harm the country's efforts to attract visitors. What's remarkable – and welcome news – is that while a great deal of attention abroad is focused on the violence, Canadian tourists have a sophisticated understanding of the conditions in the country. According to Mexican government figures, the total number of Canadian tourist visits to Mexico in 2005 was 675,216. By 2009, the number had nearly doubled to 1,222,739. This year is on pace to shatter last year's record. What's more, in 2006, Canada contributed 8.8 per cent of the tourists visiting Mexico; in 2010, Canada – still the second most important market – represents 14.6 per cent while the United States fell from 62.9 per cent to 61 per cent of the total, no doubt a result of the faltering U.S. economy.

While the Canadian government has issued a travel advisory urging its nationals to "exercise a high degree of caution" when travelling to Mexico, tourists have been undeterred, recognizing that most of the violence is confined to a handful of states, particularly those bordering the United States. Indeed, if you look at the total number of Canadian visitors, on a per capita basis, more Canadians were killed in China and Thailand in 2007, than in Mexico, according to figures provided by Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Many Mexican states have murder rates at or below the rate in the U.S., and The Economist reported recently that, based on official government figures, "Yucatán, where tourists snorkel with whale sharks, sees fewer killings per person than Canada." Mexico does not only share a continent with Canada, it is a strong ally and trading partner in NAFTA. Canada has a tremendous investment in Mexico's success, and that success depends not only on Mexico's security, but on the strength of its economy. The country has come through the recession strongly. It provides the most welcoming environment for business in Latin America, as noted in this space Friday. But given the continuing importance of tourism to Mexico, with 8.2 per cent of its GDP coming from tourism (the third highest in the OECD, after Spain and Portugal), and with 6.7 per cent of its work force engaged in it, the level-headedness of the Canadian tourist is welcome.

Coldwell Banker La Costa September Newsletter

A brief summary of the latest headlines and information on Real Estate in Puerto Vallarta including a market perspective from Coldwell Banker.

Nima Bay

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Sep 07, 2010 – Coldwell Banker La Costa Realty
Calle Ancla at the Malecon, Marina
Vallarta

Call Toll Free 866-978-8060 / Local phone: 52-322 223-0055
Contact Us

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nima Bay

The transformation continues! From 'obra negra' to 'obra gris' to finished product! Located right at the entry to Marina Vallarta, Nima Bay is quickly becoming the iconic landmark of Marina Vallarta. With its contemporary and avant-garde architectural design, Nima Bay is setting the new tone for the Marina Vallarta and surrounding areas as 'the' newest sought after address in Vallarta. The residential units themselves are predominantly 2-bedroom configurations with still some 1-bedroom, 3-bedroom and gorgeous Penthouse units available – what is really starting to catch a lot of peoples eye is the high level of quality finishes included! From Bosch Appliances to Ceramic Flooring, everywhere you look says 'quality'.

Each individual residence has golf-course views and beyond on the North side and dramatic Marina and Town views from the South side. Amenities - State-of-the-art Fitness Center, Private Owners' Club, expansive Sun Lounge and oversized swimming pools (one lap / one family) all promise the ultimate in relaxed/active life-style living! Pricing is mostly in the mid $300's to mid $400's - and well worth a look! nimabay.com

Nima Bay Shops
At the time of writing, we are in the final negotiations on some very exciting additions to the Nima Bay Shops. With Starbucks setting records for the Vallarta area, Benitos doing a landslide business and the Sonora Grill Steakhouse under construction, we are excited to announce that Kaban Jewelry will soon be opening together with a very notable 'triple A' high-end Vintner and deli shop. In addition, a chain of the most successful frozen-yogurt shops in Mexico, a Pizzeria, a renowned seafood restaurant and several others. We expect that these additions will only add to the buzz and excitement of Nima Bay and what seems to be a re-focus of activity to Nima Bay as the place to be on the North side of PV!

Los Tules
For over 25 years, Los Tules has been one of the most favorite resort destinations in the entire Puerto Vallarta area. This very low density project features a series of 2 and 3 storey garden-style residential condominium units sprinkled around approximately 25 acres of manicured gardens, palm trees and tennis courts. This prime beachfront property is also strategically located midway between Marina Vallarta and the main town of Puerto Vallarta. Recently, we have been awarded the exclusive listing for the marketing and sales of some 21 individual 2, 3 & 4 bedroom properties in Los Tules from a private investor group who purchased this hand-picked portfolio of prime units when the property was originally built. Priced from the mid $200's to the high $400's depending on size and proximity to the beach, we feel that Los Tules represents a very solid value statement especially when positioned against the high-density high-rise towers located just north of it. View it here.

Market Perspective
How many times do we look back in time and say to ourselves, if I had only done such and such then I would have, could have, should have? Well, right now the Puerto Vallarta real estate market is about to become that rear view mirror vision that in a year's time will be looking like the bargain of the century. (I can say that because I have been living and working in this business for a bit more than a ¼ century myself)! Over the past few years we have experienced a real sorting out of the good, the bad and the truly ugly and right now there are some tremendous opportunities to purchase location, size and quality that we have not ever seen before in this market place.

While it's pretty certain that we are not going to be seeing the much vaunted V-shaped recovery, there are enough signs out there to say that after we have bounced along a bit the economy will start the reversal process that inevitably always comes from any downturn or recessionary decline. At the same time, once we see that recovery take hold, a lot of the people that have been sitting on the sidelines are going to be coming back to our beautiful piece of paradise and start buying. A lot of these same individuals will necessarily be part of the largest demographic population wave in the history of mankind - the Baby Boomers. Fueling this pent-up demand further will be the realization that the economies of living in Puerto Vallarta are even more compelling than ever before given the overall affordability of active life-style and in a friendly semi-tropical climate relative to other competing areas (see AARP below)!

Title Insurance
While it is now almost commonplace for buyers and sellers of property in the area to use Escrow Accounts managed by Title Companies such as Stewart Title or First American Title, it was originally Title Insurance provided by these same title companies that initiated the escrow process. As things become a little fast and loose and title insurance was almost regarded as an inconvenience, the feasibility of title insurance slowly became 'an added expense' for the buyer and one more hassle for the real estate agent. Well we think that it's time to re-evaluate, because the sanctity of title is something we pay dearly for or at least think we are paying dearly for, when really we are relying on a system that is often ponderous and difficult to recover from. Mistakes happen and errors occur and knowing that you have a multi-million dollar company that guarantees – and has a track record of paying up on those guarantees – can save a lot of potentially sleepless nights. Contact us for more information on Title Insurance and its costs and benefits!

What's new in Vallarta?
AARP Has just announced that Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is First Place among THE TOP 5 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE ABROAD. Wow! ... Tourist Visas issued when you come into Mexico are now being routinely issued for 180 days...Los Santos had their 'Closing Party' in town August 28th in anticipation of the opening of their 'new and improved' version currently under construction in the Peninsula retail complex...the rain will stop October 15th! (We hope)! The Puerto Vallarta Tourist Trust Fund is currently gearing up its much improved new user-friendly web site – stay tuned.

Nima Bay gives back (again)!
Mark your calendar for Friday, September 10th at 7PM when NIMA BAY together with COLDWELL BANKER La Costa will be having our second monthly Nima Bay Friday's Cocktail and Cultural Event sponsoring the Orphanage of Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (R.I.S.E), a non-profit shelter for babies and children under the age of 14. Refugio-Infantil.org. Please join us for a drink to enjoy some live music and a chance to mingle with your neighbors and help us provide a little assistance to a wonderful organization.

About the writer
Brock Squire, originally from Vancouver, Canada moved to Puerto Vallarta with his lovely wife Bonnie in 1984. Since that time they have raised a family in the community and have been involved in the real estate scene in the area from starting their own firm, becoming the first Coldwell Banker franchisee in Mexico, to directing the sales and marketing efforts at the Punta Mita Resort. Currently our offices are located in the Marina Vallarta area at the 'end' of Calle Ancla - which is found directly in front of the Shangri La Condominium

Coldwell Banker La Costa Realty with 24 years of leadership in the marketing & selling of prime Puerto Vallarta area properties, we are constantly striving to deliver beyond our customers expectations - in English and in Spanish!

Chef Betty Vázquez from San Blas will present a gastronomic sample of Mexico’s Pacific Treasure at the Minoa Palace Resort in Crete between June 30 and July 4 In Riviera Nayarit luxury means flavor, and our flavors have captivated the most demanding palates.

We have an investor group in town looking to purchase a Real Estate company and or a Vacation Rental company. Please get in touch if you know of someone who wants to sell.

Inquiries will be treated in strict confidentiality.

Please Contact
Jorge Perez

Pacific Real Estate
(322) 223-0050, (322) 222-3939 fax, (322) 227-1803 cell.
www.VallartaRealEstate.com

Mexico is preparing 68 new drilling sites at a geologically challenging oil basin that state-run Petroleos Mexicanos hopes will offset declining production at the country's traditional oil fields.

Pemex, as the company is known, has launched tenders to build access roads and the initial infrastructure needed to place drilling rigs at 68 sites in the Chicontepec basin, said the company on its Web site.

Pemex is already behind schedule at Chicontepec, which spans three states in northern Mexico. The company hoped to be pumping 65,000 barrels a day by the end of this year, but delays with a major drilling contract have pushed some of this new production into 2009. Pemex eventually plans to produce more than 600,000 barrels a day at Chicontepec by 2021.

The project underscores the changing business environment at Pemex. The company has to spend more money and drill more wells just to slow the 10%-a- year rate of decline at its oil wells.

For the past 30 years Pemex has lived off highly prolific fields in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where individual wells can produce more than 6,000 barrels a day. With these fields running dry after decades of heavy exploitation, Pemex has to move into less-attractive oil fields.

Chicontepec was discovered in the 1920s, but because each well produces only a few hundred barrels a day, the company largely ignored the area until overall production began to slide four years ago.

To guarantee that Pemex can make money at Chicontepec, Congress approved last month tax incentives for the basin, allowing Pemex to deduct $11 a barrel in costs at Chicontepec.

By Adriana Lopez Caraveo and Jens Erik Gould

Nov. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Mexican lawmakers approved a law allowing citizens suffering from terminal diseases and their families to refuse treatments that keep them alive.

The measure, unanimously approved by the Senate with one abstention today, only applies to patients who have a life expectancy of six months or less, said Ernesto Saro, head of the health committee. Doctors can't stop giving patients food, water, psychological care and pain killers, he said.

The new legislation, already passed by the lower house of Congress, will allow families to stop spending money to preserve the life of terminal patients and help hospitals better use limited equipment, said Saro, a member of the ruling National Action Party, or PAN.

"I have seen cases where the family loses all they have due to doctor's stubbornness," Saro said. "Another problem is that hospitals don't have enough equipment."

Mexico didn't previously have legislation allowing a terminal patient to refuse treatment, said Senator Lazaro Mazon of the Party of the Democratic Revolution. There is no legislation in Mexico that allows for euthanasia, which the American Medical Association refers to as the administration of a lethal agent to relieve incurable suffering.

Senators said the measure can't be referred to as euthanasia because it doesn't allow for assisted death.

Mexico's peso rose after the Federal Reserve agreed yesterday to provide the Mexican central bank with $30 billion to boost the availability of dollars amid the worst global financial crisis since the Great Depression.

The peso advanced as much as 1.5 percent to a one-week high of 12.7234 per dollar. It was up 0.8 percent at 12.8116 at 1:39 p.m. New York time after jumping 1 percent yesterday. Banco de Mexico has bought $13.1 billion worth of pesos to stem a 14 percent decline in the currency this month.

Demand for pesos picked up yesterday after the Fed said it authorized temporary swap lines with the central banks of Mexico, Brazil, South Korea and Singapore. The International Monetary Fund is also working on a separate program to provide emergency credit to emerging markets.

''We had an important sign of support yesterday from the Fed,'' said Gray Newman, chief Latin America economist at Morgan Stanley in New York. While Banco de Mexico ''has indicated they have no immediate plans to tap the lines, I do think it's a positive for the currency in the medium-term, because it singles out a small group of emerging-market central banks that the Fed was comfortable with providing liquidity directly to.''

A global rally in stocks, fueled in part by a better-than- expected third-quarter U.S. gross domestic product report, also helped spark demand for the peso. Mexico's benchmark Bolsa stock index soared 5.2 percent, part of a 9.7 percent surge in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index of 25 nations.

Fed Rate Cut

The U.S. economy, Mexico's largest trading partner, shrank 0.3 percent last quarter, less than the 0.5 percent median decline projected by analysts, a U.S. Commerce Department report showed today.

Villa Azul
available 1/20/08 to 1/25/08

www.VillaAzulVallarta.com

$25 per person
per night!!!

Take advantage of this unbelievable
opportunity and pay only a tiny fraction of the regular rate!

So, please call Jorge,email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or fax as soon as possible with your booking details.

Vallarta Shores
International

1 (800) 228-4552 phone

1 (866) 873-1565
fax

www.VallartaShores.com

Vallarta
Shores International

Dear Friends of
Puerto Vallarta,

Last minute availability
in beautiful Villa Celeste from 1/14/08 through 1/17/08 at the incredible rate
of:

$250/night!!!!

Villa Celeste 5
br, fully staffed, at Conchas Chinas beach www.VillaCelesteVallarta.com

Take advantage of
this last minute vacancy and pay only a fraction of the regular rate which is
$1,350/night!

So, please call,
email or fax us as soon as possible
with your booking dates. You can not let the sand pass by!

Saludos.

Jorge

Manager

Vallarta Shores International

1 (800) 228-4552,
1
(866) 873-1565 fax

www.VallartaShores.com

Vallarta
Shores International

Dear Friends of
Puerto Vallarta,

Last minute availability in beautiful Villa Celeste from 1/14/08 through 1/17/08
at the incredible rate of:

$250/night!!!!

Villa Celeste 5 br, fully
staffed, at Conchas Chinas beach www.VillaCelesteVallarta.com

Take advantage of this last minute vacancy and pay only a fraction of the regular
rate which is $1,350/night!

So, please call, email or fax us as soon as possible with your booking dates.
You can not let the sand pass by!

Saludos.

Contact: Jorge
Perez

Vallarta Shores International

(800) 228-4552, (866) 873-1565 fax

www.VallartaShores.com

Mention this
article and get better rate!

Remember the Steven Speilberg movie "Terminal", which is actually based on a real life situation involving Karimi Nasseri - areal-life Iranian refugee who arrived at Paris' Charles de Gaulle in 1988? Well here we go again... TOKYO (Reuters) - A Japanese man who flew into Mexico City's airport as a transit passenger 12 weeks ago is refusing to leave, but his reasons for staying remain a mystery and his government is taking a hands off approach.

Hiroshi Nohara, in his 40s and from Tokyo, has remained in the airport transit lounge since September 2. He has a valid visa to Mexico and a return ticket home but refuses to budge.

"I know I'm doing something weird," Nohara told Reuters Television in Mexico City this week.

"I don't know how long I'll be here. I have a visa until March, but I might leave sooner than that."

Nohara has become a sort of celebrity, with airport staff and other transit passengers plying him with free food and drink, as well as stopping to take his picture and autograph.

He has given several media interviews, with some local media speculating that Nohara came to Latin America in search of love, and that he was on his way to Brazil via Mexico City.

Mexican officials and the Japanese embassy have failed to persuade Nohara to leave, but they say they are unable to force him out of the country because he is not committing any crime.

"Mr. Hiroshi has decided by his own will to remain here at the airport. He spends his time walking around the fast-food area. He eats there and practically sleeps there. His stay is legal for the airport," said airport spokesman Victor Mejia.

A Japanese Foreign Ministry official in Tokyo also said there was little they could do for Nohara.

"It's up to him whether he moves. We can't force him. Only the Mexican government can decide whether to order him to get out or allow him to stay," the official said.

Nohara's situation has echoes of the 2004 film "The Terminal," in which Hollywood actor Tom Hanks is a traveler from a fictional East European country who is stuck in New York's JFK airport after his passport is revoked following a coup back home.

Vallarta Orchid Society Lecture Series

The next in a continuing series of lectures on Orchids will be on the art of photography, and the techniques of taking good photos. While the focus (pardon the term) of the talk is orchids, the methods, procedures and techniques can be used to photograph other things, like pottery, jewelry, works of art, and anything of value. Bring your camera. Both film and digital cameras are welcome, and some of the differences in techniques will be discussed.

This talk will take place on Saturday, November 24th, starting at 1 p.m. at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. Admission to the talk is free. These talks are designed to educate and enlighten, without getting into too much technical and scientific detail.

The Vallarta Orchid Society is open to anyone with an interest in orchids. There is a modest donation of 200 pesos for membership in the society.

The Vallarta Botanical Gardens has a large (and growing) collection of orchids and other plants from the area. There is also a restaurant, a swimming hole in the river, and shade houses where young plants get their start.

The gardens are located 24 Km south of town, just 3 Km past Chico's Paradise. The bus to El Tuito will stop at the entrance to the Gardens, and will return you to town. There is a small fee for entrance to the gardens, which can be used as credit towards food and beverages, or other purchases at the gardens.

For more information, send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Also visit the Vallarta Orchid Society web site: www.pvorchids.com.