Suddenly, Puerto Vallarta was in the American newspapers. Spanish lessons should be a priority for anyone planning to relocate to Durango. See recent posts by Christina Vercelletto. Adding to its architectural charm, Morelia’s beautiful Spanish Renaissance buildings are all colored the region’s trademark warm pink, thanks to the locally quarried cantera stone. Most of us would be unlikely to try driving there, but in case the thought does cross your mind, don’t. More and more Americans are retiring in Mexico. Today Playa is home to more than 10,000 foreigners, including young couples, families with small children and retired folks. But where are the best places to retire in Mexico in 2019? Known affectionately as Playa, this Mexican fishing village, sitting in the State of Quintana Roo overlooking the Caribbean has become a desirable holiday destination in Mexico for the informed traveller. Over the past four decades, Ajijic has attracted such a volume of foreign retirees that it’s become very friendly to foreign residents.[. However, you’ll find almost no expat community and few English speakers. Mazatlán lies about 720 miles south of the Arizona border, making it a 13-hour drive down highway 15D. The area boasts 36 white sand beaches that span 20 miles of Mexico’s Pacific coastline. This is a center of music and home to the oldest music conservatory in the Americas. Around the same time, the Mexican government began to invest heavily in infrastructure in the area, including highways, roads and public utilities, which made Puerto Vallarta a more accessible and attractive destination. Mexico’s safest big city, Mexico City, has had its issues in the past. Mexico City. Yes, some areas are dangerous. Why It’s Great: At the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas — a beach town on the stretch of coastline collectively known as Los Cabos (The Capes) — has long been a popular vacation spot for sun-worshipping party seekers. Located midway along Mexico’s Pacific coast, Mazatlán’s historic center has undergone an impressive facelift. The Mexican government estimates that nearly 20,000 expats reside full time in the state of Jalisco. Of course, whenever you are traveling internationally (or in the U.S., for that matter), certain common-sense precautions are necessary: Keep cash and electronics out of sight, stick to areas tourists frequent, and don't go out alone at night. The huge wealth generated by the mines allowed residents to build dozens of colonial mansions and hundreds of colonial homes throughout the downtown. Carjacking can happen, especially at night. ... May 19, 2019 at 04:52. Why It’s Great: The Mexico City metro, the second largest train system in North America (who knew?) “It has a quaint, walkable-town feeling that we didn’t have when we visited Cancun. In fact, U.S. News recently reported that more Americans have retired abroad in Mexico than in any other country. And in case you were wondering…the U.S. State Department shares everything it knows about where is safe to travel -- and where isn’t -- on its website. San Miguel de Allende is both the geographic and cultural heart of Mexico. Why It’s Safe: Playa Del Carmen is located in Quintana Roo, a state that is known for its lack of crime and prevalence of high-end tourist resorts with excellent security. This well-preserved Spanish-colonial city is now home to one of the biggest communities of foreign retirees in Mexico. The low cost of living, sunshine, accessibility, established expat communities and diversity of lifestyle options draw many retirees south of the border. I am sure all countries have their own good and bad. Are These 7 Exotic Vacation Destinations Safer than the U.S.? Why It’s Great: Playa del Carmen has great nightlife, arguably the best shopping in the Riviera Maya, and wonderful restaurants, but it has kept the essence of Mexico, as well as a laid-back ambience, in a region where mega-resorts and mass-tourism are the norm. Mexico travel warning map. Why It’s Safe: Besides petty thefts, which virtually every tourist destination deals with, overall crime — like homicides — is almost non-existent, at 1.83 murders per 100,000 citizens. Of course, because it’s a very hot tourist spot, the general rules to staying safe apply: don’t wear expensive jewelry or conspicuous designer accessories, and never walk by yourself late at night. Puerto Vallarta is now one of the most sophisticated resorts in Mexico. Mexico looks like a beautiful country to visit. Founded by the Spanish nearly 500 years ago, San Miguel was an important town on the route for transporting Mexican silver. The city boasts clean, safe streets, good infrastructure, a thriving central market and architecture reminiscent of Europe. This master-planned community has a total area of about 50,000 acres, with 90% protected for ecological conservation and the remaining 10% used for tourist and residential development. The press representative we spoke to assured us that staffers don’t have any insider knowledge they hold back; that’s what the “No Double Standard” policy ensures. This small colonial town of fewer than 25,000 is nestled in an inland valley surrounded on all sides by mountains and wild countryside. The Lake Chapala Society reports about 4,000 American and Canadian residents. This part of Mexico is decidedly first world. Why It’s Safe: You have the options of flying into Cabo San Lucas International Airport or arriving by cruise ship. Stick to toll roads if you absolutely must drive and only do so during daylight hours. The area around Lake Chapala is home to an organized and developed expat retiree community. Just inland from the beach areas is La Crucecita, Huatulco’s main town, where you find grocery stores, pharmacies and restaurants. Few foreign tourists visit Morelia, but Mexicans are frequent visitors. But more than a few cities are not only beautiful vacation spots, but perfectly safe as well.